Tools / Toys (non-digital) for numbers and additions / subtractions

[deanstreet]

For learning additions and subtractions, what toys are out there?

We have Numberblocks, Numicon, and Orchard Toy games.

Maths manipulatives such as cubes or counters with 10 frames would probably be useful and maybe a rekenrek but equally everyday objects such as conkers, straws or bottle tops would also work so no need to spend a fortune.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Learning-Resources-Cuisenaire-Wooden-Introductory/dp/B000FFWCOW/ref=asc_df_B000FFWCOW?mcid=a894f965e2c33e02b9c4919381ca5522&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696350735901&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3117385643671307036&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9195089&hvtargid=pla-563917411871&psc=1&hvocijid=3117385643671307036-B000FFWCOW-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

Maths link cubes are good too

You will find visual resources that can be used with apparatus on Twinkle or other teaching sites.

Dice, buttons and pad of paper.

Ds (now 24) had the rods, the plastic cubes and other than that used anything such as conkers, leaves, twigs, Lego, pennies and two pence pieces, anything really that could be grouped together, lined up, moved around etc. Seem to remember we also had a set of large dominos and a tin of small plastic ducks which he loved. Also magnetic or wooden numbers so that they associate amounts with the written numbers

I was always more interested in chocolate buttons 🤣 / skittles even if you chop each one into a quarter and treat it as a whole number. That made me listen and learn haha

A simple abacus too

Also practise verbally, counting on and back in ones, then twos, fives and tens. Going backwards, especially over the ten numbers like 20, 30,40 etc can be very challenging.

Set questions, “ here’s your cup to put on the table, how many more will we need for me, daddy, Tom and Tessa”

Put out a set number of ( cubes, smarties, Lego bricks, whatever you have) count them together, then cover some with your hand “How many am I hiding” Start with a small number, less than five then build up.

Unless a child has a good idea of how our number system works they won’t make sense of formal addition and subtraction.