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  Development matters Look, listen and note Effective practice Planning and resourcing
Numbers as Labels and for Counting
 
  • Develop an awareness of number names through their enjoyment of action rhymes and songs that relate to their experience of numbers.
  • Enjoy finding their nose, eyes or tummy as part of naming games.
 
  • Preferences for particular rhymes and action songs that relate to number.
  • The pictures of familiar things, in books, that babies recognise and point to, such as a ball or a teddy.
 
  • Sing number rhymes as you dress or change babies, for example, 'One, Two, Buckle My Shoe'.
  • Move with babies to the rhythm patterns in familiar songs and rhymes.
  • Encourage babies to join in tapping and clapping along to simple rhythms.
 
  • Collect number rhymes which are repetitive and are related to children's actions and experiences, for example, 'Peter Hammers with One Hammer'.
  • Use song and rhymes during personal routines, for example, 'Two Little Eyes to Look Around', pointing to their eyes, one by one.
  • Collect number and counting rhymes from a range of cultures and in other languages. This will benefit all children and will give additional support for children learning English as an additional language.
Calculating
 
  • Have some understanding that things exist, even when out of sight.
  • Are alert to and investigate things that challenge their expectations.
 
  • Babies' interest in looking for things that disappear from sight.
  • Babies' persistence in trying to achieve something they have managed before, such as lifting the lid on a box that has previously popped open.
 
  • Play games such as peek-a-boo or comment when a puppet pops out of a sock.
  • Talk to babies about puzzles they encounter such as how to get their sock back from where it has fallen, asking whether they can do it or if they might need help.
 
  • Provide lift-the-flap books to show something hidden from view.
  • Provide a variety of interesting displays for babies to see when they are looking around them, looking up at the ceiling or peering into a corner.
Shape, Space and Measures
 
  • Find out what toys are like and can do through handling objects.
  • Recognise big things and small things in meaningful contexts.
 
  • Instances of babies' investigation of objects and space such as looking for hidden objects or putting things in and taking them out of containers.
  • How they hold out their arms wide to gather up a big teddy and bring hands together to pick up a small ball.
 
  • Play games that involve curling and stretching, popping up and bobbing down.
  • Encourage babies' explorations of the characteristics of objects, for example, by rolling a ball to them.
  • Talk about what objects are like and how objects, such as a sponge, can change their shape by being squeezed or stretched.
 
  • Provide a range of objects of various textures and weights in treasure baskets to excite and encourage babies' interests.
  • Look at books showing objects such as a big truck and a little truck; or a big cat and a small kitten.
  • Use story props to support all children and particularly those learning English as an additional language.