Enjoy these photos and bring the shape, size and pattern to life- at home or on a whiteboard.

Play 'Eye spy what shape am I'

☺ Choose a photo and click to open the full screen version.
☺ Share talking about what you notice.

★ Pass it on ★ Talk about- circles, triangles, squares, rectangles, 0/3/4 straight sides
☺ Take turns to secretly choose a shape that you can see on the photo and say for example "I spy with my little eye a shape that has no straight sides, what shape am I"

Teach your child the all important properties of shapes without them even realising they're learning maths!

If they offer a different shape to the one you were thinking -brilliant- this helps to emphasise that shapes share properties in a fun non threatening way

Play the shape detectives game

☺ Choose a photo and click to open the full screen version.
☺ Share talking about what you notice.

★ Pass it on ★ Ask "what do you notice?" and pause to allow your child time to share their ideas
☺ Take turns to give an answer and ask "what's the question (shape detective)?" For example say "I can see three". The question could be "how many circles can you see" or "how many sides does the shape of the yellow tile have" or...

Turning things round and offering an answer instead of a question is a brilliant easy way to support your child with maths learning in powerful ways.

They might offer a different question to the one you were thinking -fantastic- this all helps to dispell cripling anxieties about giving wrong answers to maths questions no worries about crosses here!

In order to offer a question rather than an answer your child will be thinking creatively and our brains love engaing in creative thinking

Your child will be encouraged to connect with things that they already know as well as thinking about new learning and this is absolutely top notch for developing a brilliant maths brain.

Play the lucky stick game

☺ Choose a stick photo and click to open the full screen version.
☺ Share talking about what you notice.

★ Pass it on ★ Talk about- short, shortest, longest, thicker, thickest, thin, thinest... Share making five game cards by writing shortest, longest, thinest, thickest and drawing Harley the hare onto some pieces of card. You will also need some small treats e.g. cereal hoops or raisins or use counters or buttons
☺ Shuffle the cards and place face down in a pile.
☺ Each choose a lucky stick from the photo.
☺ Take turns to turn over a game card.
☺ Collect a counter/treat if your lucky stick matches the game card. If you turn over the Harley card choose which one collects a counter/treat
☺ Go on a stick hunt and play another version of this game. This would actually be good to do before you play the photo version!