Confidence with numbers: maths around the home

There are lots of ways that you can help children to develop confidence with numbers during your day-to-day activities, not just helping with their maths homework. This is a great way to build confidence, because your child might not even realise that you're teaching them about numbers, so they're less likely to resist.

Resources to choose from

When choosing activities from this page, aim for ones that match your child's interests.

Cooking provides a wide range of maths concepts, including counting, measuring, weighing, timing - even fractions and ratios, for example when you're doubling quantities to make more of something. Here are a few activities to get you started.

Maths activities to do together when cooking

Songs are a great way to learn things as they're so memorable. You can listen to songs to pass the time on journeys as well as when you're at home.

Music and songs to help with maths               

The organisation National Numeracy also have lots of age-related ideas for incorporating maths into everyday life.

National Numeracy ideas and activities            

Many children's storybooks include mathematical concepts, often in a fun and memorable way. Below you'll find a list of books that are recommended - many of these have free, online recordings of people reading them - along with guidance for choosing books that will help and not confuse children. 

Guide to choosing good maths storybooks

Storybooks with maths - age range 2-6 yrs

Storybooks with maths - age range 3-10 yrs

Prize-winning storybooks containing maths

With thanks to Coram Beanstalk for their support, insights and creative input into this project.