Early Years
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Before and After: Supporting Early Years Sequencing Skills
## Before and After: Supporting Early Years Sequencing Skills We know that helping your little ones get to grips with numbers can sometimes feel like a bit of a puzzle. That is why we have created this simple, friendly worksheet to help make number work feel like a win for everyone. ## What is this resource? Our "Before and After: Supporting Early Years Sequencing Skills" worksheet is a straightforward tool designed to help children understand how numbers sit next to each other. On the page, your child will see a number in the middle of a row. Their job is to look at that number and then write down the number that comes directly **before and after** it. It is designed to be clean and clear, without too many distracting pictures. This helps children focus on the numbers themselves. It is a fantastic addition to your collection of [EYFS Activities](/resources/EYFS) because it takes a big concept and breaks it down into small, manageable steps. ## Who is it for? This resource is perfect for children aged 3 to 5 who are just starting their maths journey in the Early Years Foundation Stage. It is also a brilliant choice for children in Year 1 who might need a little bit of extra practice to feel confident with their number sequences. Whether you are a teacher looking for a quick morning starter or a parent wanting to do ten minutes of learning at the kitchen table, this worksheet is for you. ## What will children learn? When children work on this activity, they are practising something called "number sense." This is basically just a way of saying they are getting to know how numbers work. By identifying which numbers come **before and after**, children learn: * How to count forwards and backwards with confidence. * The relative size of numbers (knowing that 4 is smaller than 5, for example). * How to recognise written numerals quickly. * Better logic and sequencing skills. These are all vital building blocks for the maths they will do later on. You can find more tools like this in our [KS1 Resources](/resources/KS1) section, which helps bridge the gap as they grow. ## Tips for using this resource You don’t need any fancy equipment to get the most out of this worksheet. Here are a couple of simple ways to use it: 1. **Use a number line:** If your child is finding it a bit tricky to remember what comes next, let them use a number line or a ruler to help. They can find the middle number on the line and then see which neighbours sit on either side. 2. **Make it physical:** Before you pick up a pencil, try doing it with toys. Put three toy cars in a row and talk about which one is in the middle. Ask your child which car is "before" and which one is "after." We find that these little conversations really help the logic click into place. If you are looking for more ways to help your child with their counting, you might want to explore our [Year 1 Maths Worksheets](/resources/search/Year-1-Maths) for more ideas. We hope you and your little learners have a lovely time working through these numbers together! ## 🟢 Related Worksheets You may also like: - [Missing Number Puzzles to 10](/resources/EYFS) - [Ordering Numbers from Smallest to Largest](/resources/search/Year-1-Maths) - [Simple Number Bond Worksheets](/resources/KS1) - [Counting Forwards and Backwards to 20](/resources/search/Year-1-Maths) - [Number Recognition Matching Games](/resources/EYFS) ## ❓ Frequently Asked Questions ### Q: What should I do if my child struggles to write the numbers? Don't worry at all! If they know the answer but find the writing hard, you can let them use number stickers or even just say the answer out loud while you write it for them. The most important thing is that they understand the sequence. ### Q: Is this worksheet suitable for older children? While it is designed for early years, it is a great quick recap for Year 1 or Year 2 children who might be struggling with their confidence in maths. It helps them feel successful by getting the answers right quickly. ### Q: Do I need to follow the UK National Curriculum to use this? Not at all. While the resource does align with the early learning goals for number in the UK, it is a universal skill. Any child learning to count will benefit from understanding what comes before and after a number.
Beginning Letters Activity Worksheets | Early Literacy Colouring Printable for Kids
## Help your little one start their reading adventure We know that teaching children to read and write can feel like a big task. You want to give them the best start, but you also want them to have fun. That is why we created these Beginning Letters Activity Worksheets. These sheets are designed for children aged 3 to 5 who are just starting to notice the shapes of letters and the sounds they make. They are perfect for kids in nursery or reception who are beginning their phonics path. We have kept things very simple so that children feel proud of what they can do, rather than feeling overwhelmed. ## What are these worksheets all about? Our Beginning Letters Activity Worksheets are a mix of quiet colouring and early literacy practice. Each page focuses on a different letter of the alphabet. Your child will see a large, clear letter to look at and a fun picture to colour in that starts with that specific sound. For example, they might see a big letter 'A' next to an apple. As they colour the apple, you can chat about the sound the letter makes. It is a very relaxed way to get used to how letters look and sound. Because these are printables, you can print them out as many times as you like. If your child loves the letter 'B' and wants to colour the bus three times, they can! If you are looking for more ways to help your child, you might also like our [EYFS Activities](/resources/EYFS) section for more hands-on ideas. ## What will your child learn? Using these worksheets helps with a few different skills at once. First, there is "letter recognition." This is just a fancy way of saying that your child will start to remember what each letter looks like. Second, they will practice "initial sounds." This means they will learn to hear the first sound in a word. When they see the cat on the 'C' page, they will start to link the "c-c-c" sound with the letter shape. Finally, colouring is great for "fine motor skills." Holding a crayon and trying to stay inside the lines helps strengthen the tiny muscles in their hands. This is exactly what they need to do before they can start writing full words later on. ## Top tips for using these at home or in school You don't need to be a teacher to use these Beginning Letters Activity Worksheets effectively. Here are two simple ways to get the most out of them: 1. **The Letter of the Day:** Instead of doing the whole pack at once, just pick one letter. You could look for things around the house that start with that letter after they finish colouring. If you did the letter 'S', you could go on a "sock hunt"! 2. **Make a Sound Book:** Once your child has finished a few pages, you can staple them together to make their very own alphabet book. They will love flicking through the pages and showing you the pictures they have coloured. For older siblings who might need something a bit more advanced, feel free to check out our [KS1 Phonics Resources](/resources/Phonics). ## Supporting the Early Years curriculum In the UK, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) focuses heavily on communication and language. These worksheets fit right in with those goals. They encourage children to talk about sounds and play with language in a way that feels natural. By using these at home, you are giving them a great head start for when they begin more formal phonics lessons at school. We hope you and your little ones enjoy using these pages together. Happy colouring!
Bugs and Friends Counting 1 to 10 Activity for Early Learners
## What is the Bugs and Friends Counting Activity? The "Bugs and Friends Counting 1 to 10 Activity" is a fun and colourful set of tasks designed specifically for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Most children are naturally curious about the world around them. They love spotting ladybirds in the garden or watching bees buzz around flowers. This activity uses that natural curiosity to help them get to grips with basic numbers. This Counting Activity features a range of friendly garden creatures. Each page or card shows a different number of bugs for your child to find and count. It is bright, clear, and designed to keep young minds engaged without being overwhelming. If you are looking for more ways to support your child’s development, you can find a variety of [Early Years Activities](/resources/eyfs) right here on our site. ## Who is this resource for? This resource is perfect for children aged 3 to 5. This includes those in nursery or their first year of primary school (Reception). If you are a parent at home, this is a great way to spend ten minutes together at the kitchen table. It feels more like a game than a lesson. For teachers and childminders, these sheets work brilliantly as part of a small group activity or as a quiet task for children to explore on their own. ## What will children learn? Counting might seem simple to us, but for a three-year-old, it is a big step! This resource helps children practice several important skills at once. First, it helps with number recognition. Children will see the written numeral (like '5') and start to link it with the actual quantity of bugs on the page. Second, it helps with something teachers call "one-to-one correspondence." This is just a fancy way of saying that a child touches each bug as they count it, making sure they don’t skip any or count the same one twice. Finally, it builds confidence. Because the numbers only go up to 10, children can quickly see their own progress. Once they have mastered this, they might be ready to try some of our other [EYFS Maths Resources](/resources/eyfs-maths). ## How to use this activity at home or in class There are plenty of ways to make this Counting Activity even more fun. Here are two simple ideas: **1. Use "counters" or treats** Instead of just pointing at the bugs on the paper, give your child something physical to move. You could use dried pasta shapes, small pebbles, or even little raisins. As they count the bugs on the sheet, they can place one item on top of each picture. This makes the learning much more hands-on. **2. Make it a scavenger hunt** If you have a garden or a local park, take the sheets outside with you. Can you find three real ants to match the number three on the page? Bringing the activity to life helps children see that maths is everywhere, not just in books. ## Supporting the EYFS goals In the UK, the Early Years curriculum focuses a lot on "Number." This means helping children understand how numbers work and how they relate to each other. This activity fits perfectly with those goals. It encourages children to be "active learners" and helps them develop the thinking skills they will need as they move into Year 1. We hope you and your little ones enjoy meeting these friendly bugs while you practice your counting together. Happy counting!
Match the Drawings Worksheets | Matching Activity for Early Readers
## What are Match the Drawings Worksheets? If you are looking for a simple and fun way to help your little ones start their learning journey, you are in the right place. Our Match the Drawings worksheets are designed specifically for children aged 3 to 5. At this age, children are just beginning to notice how things relate to each other. These worksheets provide a lovely, calm way to practise those early skills. Each page features clear, friendly drawings of things children see every day, like animals, fruit, or toys. The task is straightforward: your child simply needs to find the items that go together and draw a line to connect them. ## Who is this resource for? This resource is perfect for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Whether your child is in nursery or has just started in a Reception class, these activities are tailored to their level. We know that every child learns at their own pace. That is why we have kept the layouts clean and easy to follow. There is plenty of space for little hands to move their pencils without feeling crowded. If you are a teacher, these are great for your [EYFS Activities](/resources/EYFS) folder. If you are a parent, they are a wonderful way to spend ten minutes together at the kitchen table. ## What will children learn? While it might look like a simple game, a **Matching Activity** like this one helps develop several important skills. First, it helps with visual tracking. This means children learn to move their eyes across a page to find information, which is a key part of learning to read. It also helps them notice small details and differences between shapes. This is a big step towards recognising letters and numbers later on. Second, these worksheets are great for fine motor skills. Holding a pencil and trying to draw a line from one specific point to another takes a lot of coordination. It is a fantastic way to get those hand muscles ready for writing. Finally, it builds confidence. Because the pictures are easy to recognise, children can usually complete the task by themselves. That feeling of "I did it!" is so important for young learners. You might also want to explore our [Early Literacy Resources](/resources/literacy) to find more ways to support their progress. ## How to use these worksheets at home or in class You can use these worksheets in a few different ways to keep things interesting. Here are two simple tips: * **Make it colourful:** Instead of just using a lead pencil, let your child use a different coloured felt tip or crayon for every line they draw. It makes the finished page look like a bright rainbow, and it keeps them excited to move on to the next one. * **Talk about the pictures:** Before they start drawing, point to a picture and ask, "What is this?" or "What colour is the real version of this object?" This turns a **Matching Activity** into a chance to grow their vocabulary and chatting skills. For teachers, these worksheets are brilliant for "morning work" or as a quiet task when children move between different areas of the classroom. They fit naturally into the "Communication and Language" and "Physical Development" parts of the UK National Curriculum for the early years. We hope you and your children enjoy using these worksheets together!
Panda And Lily | A Big Little Friendship
##Panda and Lily | A Big Little Friendship – A Heartwarming Children’s Story About Friendship. Panda and Lily | A Big Little Friendship is a delightful children’s story that celebrates the beauty of friendship in the most unexpected ways. When Lily, a curious little girl, meets Bao, a shy and fluffy panda, their magical journey begins. Together, they run through sunny gardens, explore whispering bamboo forests, dance in the rain, and learn the true meaning of caring for one another. This gentle and engaging story shows young readers how friendship is built on kindness, courage, and togetherness. Perfect for bedtime reading, classroom story time, and social-emotional learning, this book helps children understand important values through warm storytelling and lovable characters. This story supports: 🐼 Friendship and empathy 🐼 Emotional growth and confidence 🐼 Kindness and cooperation 🐼 Meaningful reading moments for families Ideal for children ages 3–8. Panda and Lily | A Big Little Friendship reminds young readers that true friendship can blossom anywhere — even between the most different hearts.
Add Objects and Count – Fun Early Addition Activity for Kids
## Making Maths Fun with an Addition Activity for Kids If you are searching for a way to introduce your little learner to the world of numbers, our "Add Objects and Count" resource is the perfect **Addition Activity for Kids**. Designed specifically for children aged 3 to 5, this resource bridges the gap between simple counting and the foundational concepts of arithmetic. By using vibrant illustrations and a hands-on approach, we transform what could be a daunting subject into an engaging, confidence-building experience. For many children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), maths is most effectively learned through "doing." This printable **Addition Activity for Kids PDF** allows children to physically see and point to objects, helping them understand that addition is simply the process of bringing two groups together to find a new total. Whether you are a parent looking to support learning at home or a teacher seeking fresh [EYFS Activities](/resources/EYFS) for your classroom, this resource is crafted to meet your needs. ## What is "Adding Objects" and Why Does it Matter? At its simplest level, adding objects is the first step in a child's mathematical journey. Before children can understand abstract symbols like "+" or "=", they must first understand the concept of "more." In our **Addition Activity for Kids**, we focus on the pictorial stage of the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) approach, which is widely used in UK primary education. By looking at a group of two apples and another group of three apples, a child learns to count them all together to reach five. This builds "number sense"—the ability to understand how numbers relate to one another. Using **free Addition Activity for Kids worksheets** like this one ensures that children are not just memorising sums, but are actually visualising the quantities involved. This visual literacy is vital for long-term success in [KS1 Maths Resources](/resources/KS1). ## What Will Children Learn from This Resource? Our "Add Objects and Count" worksheet is more than just a simple counting task; it is a multi-layered learning tool. By engaging with this **Addition Activity for Kids**, children will develop several key skills: 1. **One-to-One Correspondence:** Children learn to touch each object as they count it, ensuring they don't skip numbers or count the same item twice. 2. **Cardinality:** This is the understanding that the last number counted represents the total number of objects in the set. 3. **The Concept of "Total":** Children begin to grasp that combining two separate groups creates a larger "sum." 4. **Subitising Skills:** With practice, children may start to recognise small groups of objects (like 2 or 3) without needing to count them individually, a key milestone in the EYFS curriculum. 5. **Fine Motor Skills:** As they use a pencil to write the final number in the box or colour in the objects, they are strengthening the small muscles in their hands. ## How to Use This Resource in Lessons or at Home This versatile **Addition Activity for Kids** can be used in a variety of settings. Here are a few ways to make the most of it: ### In the Classroom Teachers can use these **Addition Activity for Kids activities for kids** as a "carpet time" introduction. Project the worksheet onto the whiteboard and count the objects together as a class. Afterwards, distribute the printed sheets for independent or small-group work. It serves as an excellent assessment tool to see which children have mastered counting to 10 and who might need a little more support with their [Counting Resources](/resources/counting). ### At Home For parents, this is a fantastic "kitchen table" activity. To make the learning even more impactful, pair the worksheet with real-life objects (manipulatives). If the worksheet shows four stars, place four pieces of pasta or four buttons on the table. Ask your child to count the physical objects first, then find the matching objects on the paper. This tactile experience reinforces the learning found in our **printable Addition Activity for Kids PDF**. ## Educational Benefits for Your Child’s Development The benefits of early numeracy extend far beyond the classroom. Engaging in a structured **Addition Activity for Kids** helps develop a child’s logical thinking and problem-solving abilities. When a child successfully counts all the objects and writes down the correct total, they experience a "win." This boost in self-esteem is crucial at age 3–5, as it fosters a positive "can-do" attitude toward mathematics that can last a lifetime. Furthermore, these activities encourage focus and concentration. Sitting down to complete a task from start to finish helps prepare EYFS children for the more structured environment of Year 1. By integrating [Maths Activities for Kids](/resources/maths) into their daily routine, you are helping them see that maths is a natural, fun part of the world around them. ## Alignment with the UK National Curriculum (EYFS) Our resources are meticulously designed to align with the UK Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Specifically, this activity supports the "Mathematics" area of learning, which focuses on: * **Number:** Children learn to count reliably with numbers from 1 to 20, place them in order, and say which number is one more or one less than a given number. * **Numerical Patterns:** Recognising that quantities change when items are added or taken away. By using this **Addition Activity for Kids**, you are ensuring that your child is working toward the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) set out by the Department for Education. It provides a solid foundation for the transition into Key Stage 1, where they will begin to work with formal number sentences and more complex calculations. ## Tips for Success with Early Addition To get the best results from these **free Addition Activity for Kids worksheets**, keep the following tips in mind: * **Keep it Short:** At ages 3–5, attention spans are short. Five to ten minutes of focused addition practice is better than thirty minutes of frustrated struggle. * **Use Positive Reinforcement:** Celebrate every correct count! If they make a mistake, gently encourage them to "try counting again, touching each one with your finger." * **Make it Visual:** Encourage your child to cross out each object with a pencil once they have counted it. This prevents double-counting and keeps them organised. ## Start Your Maths Journey Today Mathematics is a language, and like any language, it is best learned through regular practice and playful exploration. Our "Add Objects and Count" worksheet is the perfect starting point for any young learner ready to take their first steps into arithmetic. We invite you to download this **Addition Activity for Kids** and see the progress your child can make. At Study Pillars, we are dedicated to providing the very best [EYFS Maths Resources](/resources/eyfs-maths) to help every child reach their full potential. Download your **Addition Activity for Kids** today and turn "maths time" into the best part of your child's day!