More, Fewer or the Same? (EYFS)

Inside More, Fewer or the Same? (EYFS)

spotting more, fewer and the same, counting groups up to 10, matching one-to-one so every teddy gets a plate, and sharing snacks out fairly. Use your fingers, toys and buttons. About 15 gentle minutes with a grown-up.

Learning objectives

• say when one group has more or fewer than another, within 10;
• spot when two groups have the same (equal) number;
• count to compare — touching each item once and saying one number for each;
• match one-to-one — a plate for every teddy, a cup for every person;
• share fairly — one for you, one for me — and check both piles are the same.

Activities in this book

1. Play 1 — More, Fewer or the Same?

   line the two groups up next to each other and pair them one by one. The group with some left over has more — if they all pair up, they're the same!

2. Play 2 — Counting to Compare

   touch and count each one, saying the numbers out loud. If every teddy needs a plate, the number of plates must be exactly the same as the number of teddies!

3. Play 3 — A Plate for Every Teddy

   set up a real teddy picnic! Give out one plate at a time, saying 'one for you, one for you'. If a teddy has no plate, we need more — if plates are left over, we have too many!

4. Play 4 — Fair Shares at Snack Time

   share snacks out one at a time — 'one for you, one for me' — until they are all gone. Then count each pile. If the piles are the same, the share is fair!

5. Play 5 — More & Fewer at Home

   snack time, tidy-up time and bath toys are perfect for comparing. Ask 'who has more?', 'who has fewer?' and 'are they the same?' — and have fun. There is no wrong answer here.

Suggestions for teaching

• Use real things. Toys, buttons, snacks and socks let children touch and move each item while comparing.
• Line them up. Put the two groups in rows next to each other and pair them one by one — leftovers mean that group has more.
• Count to check. Count each group out loud, touching each item once, then compare the two numbers.
• One-to-one matching. Play teddy picnics and table-laying — one plate for every teddy makes "the same" feel real.
• Fair shares. Deal snacks out "one for you, one for me" and check the piles match — sharing is comparing in disguise.