Maths in Action | Carcroft School

Touch counting.

23rd March 2026Elizabeth Frost

Today, Crew Frost continued their Easter-themed learning—with a mathematical twist! This week, we have been focusing on number recognition and touch counting as part of our early maths development.

The children were encouraged to count out the correct number of rabbits for each hutch. This supported their understanding of matching quantity to number, which is a key aspect of the EYFS Maths area of learning.

During the activity, the children worked both collaboratively and independently, developing their confidence as well as their communication and language skills. We also saw lots of perseverance and problem-solving as they checked and corrected their counting.

Using their “pinchy fingers” to pick up the rabbits helped to strengthen their fine motor skills, supporting Physical Development—an important foundation for later writing.

Furthermore, as the children develop positive attitudes towards maths through play this makes us so proud as a Crew. Well done, Crew Frost—we are so proud of the fantastic learning we are seeing and can’t wait to watch your confidence in maths continue to grow!

Exploring Perimeter

11th March 2026Nicola Robson

We used string to help us workout the perimeter of regular and irregular 2d shapes.

Friendly Challenges in Rapid Maths

9th March 2026Laura Godley

In Crew Godley, we have been consolidating our skills in adding 4-digit numbers using the column method. During our rapid maths sessions, we have c practiced adding numbers efficiently and accurately. These quick, focused exercises have helped the children build confidence, speed, and accuracy in mental calculations as well as written methods. It was a great way for everyone to strengthen their number skills while having fun competing in friendly challenges!

We’re on the move!

5th March 2026Elizabeth Frost

Last week the children explored the story Whatever Next! as part of their expedition learning. This story was incorporated into our continuous provision to support their understanding through play. The children were provided with simple 2D shapes such as circles, squares and triangles and encouraged to talk about the shapes and their properties. Using their knowledge, they created their own rockets inspired by the story.

This activity supported the children’s fine motor development as they manipulated and placed the shapes, while also developing their mathematical understanding of shape and space. The hands-on experience also provided rich sensory exploration and opportunities for discussion, linking storytelling with creative and mathematical learning. Well done crew Frost.

Arithmetic Challenge

3rd March 2026Nicola Robson

Today to consolidate our maths learning we made our own arithmetic challenges for our friends to complete! We then had to check our friend’s answers!

Multiplication Manipulatives!

23rd February 2026Betty Ramsay

We have been really grasping the concept of multiplication by exposing the structure of repeated addition first. Here we are multiplying numbers with bricks, base ten and sticks! We are so secure with this now that writing equations is easy work. Good Job Crew Ramsay!

Exploring Length 📏

23rd February 2026Nicola Robson

Today we began our new maths unit about length and perimeter.

We used rulers to draw and measure lines of different lengths and also explored the different types of rulers and metre sticks.

Caution construction zone ahead!

13th February 2026Elizabeth Frost

Crew Frost have had a wonderful week exploring all areas of our provision! It has been lovely to see the children so engaged and independent in their play.

This week, many of the children have been particularly interested in developing their small world play, creating different homes and habitats for our animals. Through this, they have been using their imaginations brilliantly and building detailed role-play stories together. This strongly supports their Communication and Language development, as they listened to one another’s ideas, shared their own thoughts, and worked collaboratively to extend their play.

We have also seen fantastic examples of Personal, Social and Emotional Development, with children taking turns, negotiating roles, and working as a team to achieve a shared goal. It has been wonderful to watch their confidence grow as they solved problems together.

In addition, the children really impressed us with their critical thinking and perseverance while experimenting with balancing and manipulating different materials. This hands-on exploration links to both Physical Development(developing control and coordination) and Mathematics, as they explored concepts such as balance, size, and stability through trial and error.

These experiences reflect the EYFS Development Matters guidance by providing meaningful, play-based opportunities for children to think creatively, communicate effectively, and develop resilience.

Out door maths

13th February 2026Elizabeth Frost

Over the past few days, the children have thoroughly enjoyed exploring maths through our outdoor provision. Using our “fast maths eyes,” we have been identifying and talking about shapes we can see in the environment, developing our early numberical skills and deepening our understanding of shape in meaningful, real-life contexts.

The children have also been busy creating simple two-part repeating patterns using natural resources such as sticks, leaves, twigs and stones. This hands-on exploration supports the Mathematics area of learning, particularly by recognizing, continuing, and creating patterns, while also encouraging problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration.

Crew Frost have also been given opportunities to write numbers using chalk and other outdoor materials which has strengthened fine motor control and pencil grip. As the children formed numbers, we used fun phrases such as “around the tree, around the tree, that’s the way we make a three” to reinforce correct formation in an engaging and memorable way.

These experiences offer rich, practical, and play-based opportunities for Crew Frost to build strong foundations in number, shape, and pattern through active exploration.

Well done, Crew Frost — amazing mathematical thinking.