Numbers to 10 (EYFS)

Inside Numbers to 10 (EYFS)

counting things carefully up to 10, counting forwards and backwards, spotting numerals like 7 and 10, one more and one fewer, making 10 with our fingers, and seeing which group has more. Use your fingers, toys and buttons. About 20 gentle minutes with a grown-up.

Learning objectives

• count groups of objects to 10 carefully, touching each one once, and know the last number tells them how many;
• say the number sequence forwards and backwards to and from 10;
• recognise numerals to 10 in the world around them;
• find one more and one fewer than a number within 10;
• explore number bonds to 10 on their fingers, and compare two groups to say which has more and which has fewer.

Activities in this book

1. Play 1 — Counting to 10

   touch each thing once as you count it, nice and slowly, and say the number out loud. The last number you say tells you how many there are!

2. Play 2 — One More & One Fewer

   hold up your fingers for the number, then pop one more finger up for 'one more', or fold one down for 'one fewer'. Say the new number out loud!

3. Play 3 — Rocket Counting & Number Hunt

   count forwards to 10 as you march up the stairs, then count backwards from 10 like a rocket — 10, 9, 8… and shout BLAST OFF at zero!

4. Play 4 — Making 10 on My Fingers

   hold up all 10 fingers. Fold some down — the fingers still up and the fingers folded down are two parts that always join back into 10!

5. Play 5 — Which Has More? at Home

   line the two groups up side by side, one against one, so it is easy to see which group has more and which has fewer. Count both to check!

Suggestions for teaching

• Use real things. Toys, buttons, snacks and fingers let children touch and move each item while counting.
• Careful counting. Touch each object once, count slowly, and say that the last number tells you how many — this is the cardinal idea.
• Forwards and backwards. Count up the stairs to 10, then blast off backwards from 10 like a rocket — rhythm and fun make the sequence stick.
• One more / one fewer. Play quick finger games — hold up a number, then pop one more up or fold one down.
• Making 10 and comparing. Fold fingers down to split 10 into two parts, and line two groups up one-against-one to see which has more.