Educational Math Toys
Essential maths toys for all early years setting and classrooms
It is important to inspire a love of maths from an early age because it is an essential skill to develop; math toys not only help children understand the value of numbers, counting, number recognition and pattern recognition but help them get to grips with problem-solving generally.
In the context of mathematics, the UK government states in the Statutory Framework that children must be given opportunities to develop their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, learn addition and subtraction simple problems, and describing shapes, spaces, and measure during early years education.
Research suggests that early maths skills are an accurate indicator of later academic success, more so than early reading. So, it is important that children are exposed to mathematics from early childhood both in both an education setting and at home, and there is no better way to engage in mathematical activity than learning naturally through play.
Early years settings and reception classrooms should nurture all children as confident, capable mathematicians. What children learn is important – but how they learn is even more crucial.
Children need access to resources that they can use to explore their growing mathematical understanding. They need opportunities to investigate collections of interesting objects and shapes that can be sorted in a variety of ways – things that can be moved, explored, played with and talked about. Real world items are great for making maths learning interesting including lids, baskets, boxes, shells, conkers or twigs.
Here at Edx Education we have a wide range of authentic math games, learning materials and activities to support children in their early stages of learning and beyond. Our collection of educational math toys will encourage, stimulate and engage little learners to explore numbers, patterns, sequences, space and shapes.
Hands-on manipulatives like our Fun Play Rainbow Pebbles® help children develop a secure base of mathematics knowledge, or a Pattern Blocks Activity Set which are both a play resource and a tool for learning in mathematics in settings and classrooms, used to develop a range of mathematical concepts, such as geometry, symmertry, angles, fractions, perimeter and aiding spatial reasoning.
Different types of educational math toys
Math sorting and counting
To enable children to be able to count and sort confidently, it is important to provide different opportunities to build these skills, and there is no better way to learn than when it’s fun. One of the best ways to teach counting is with our linking cubes where the creative and learning possibilities are endless.
For sorting, Edx Education have a wide range of counters available including Wild Animal Counters, Vegetable Counters, Transport Counters and many more. Team these with our Sorting Bowls and Tweezers Set and let the counting and sorting begin! Arranging and classifying different items and colours improves logic and reasoning, the tweezers are easy for small hands to use and improve fine motor skills.
Math Geometry
GeoStix® are flexible sticks in different lengths that snap together at multiple points allowing students to investigate planar geometry for hands on learning. Geoboards 6 inch and Geoboards 9 inch are colourful double-sided square geoboards feature a circular array of pins on one side and a pin grid array on the other. They are an excellent tool for learning shapes, angles, symmetry, perimeter and area.
Fun Play Geo Pegs are great for learning colours, improving fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, reasoning and problem solving skills. Ideal for matching, sorting and mathematical concepts such as add and subtract.
Math Measurement
Fun Play Number Rods are an excellent tool for your child to learn mathematical concepts at home and school through fun measurement activities. They are a great tool for children to play and learn number relationships, they link art and mathematics to will stimulate children’s imagination and encourage creative thinking skills.
Young children learn best through investigating, exploring, talking, problem-solving and, quite simply just ‘doing’ things.
Our bright and tactile Centimetre Cubes are designed to use as a tool to measure length, area and mass. For time measurement we have a 12 Hour Time Clock made of durable moulded plastic with colour coded geared hour and minute hand, with large 12 hour markings to make it easy for the student or teacher to demonstrate time telling.
Math Number and Algebra
Place Value Abacus is an essential and valuable educational tool for all nurseries, kindergartens and home activities, useful as soon as a child can count beyond 9. It helps children visualise to develop number sense, and to become proficient in place value and counting, sorting, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and subitising.
You may have a cash register in your roleplay box that can be used to practice coin identification improving hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, addition, subtraction, and place value. Not only great for imaginative play but learning basic calculator skills too. It’s a great tool for hands on learning.
Early Math101 to go range
Our ‘Early Math101 to go Number & Measurement’ range develops number sense, geometry and logical thinking through playing together. Each kit has high quality manipulatives, activity cards and activities, and is packaged in a hand carry plastic case. Level 1 is suitable for children ages 3-4, level 2 suitable for 4-5 year olds and level 3 for 5-6 years olds plus Number Rods from 4 onwards – so there is something for everyone!
Number & Measurement Level 1 aids teaching counting 1 to 5, number recognition 1 to 5, addition up to 5, measuring, sorting and matching, creative thinking skills and fine motor skills. Number & Measurement Level 2 teaches number recognition 1 to 10, counting 1 to 10, addition to 10 and beyond, writing 1 to 10, numeral symbol, standard subitising patterns of 1 to 10 and measuring. Number & Measurement Level 3 teaches counting to 100 and beyond, addition and subtraction, place value concept of ones and tens, copying patterns, creating patterns, measuring, social skills by playing games and problem solving skills.
The ‘Early Maths to go Geometry & Problem Solving’ range includes Geometry & Problem Solving Level 1 which 1 is ideal to learn names of shapes, patterning, sorting and matching, problem solving skills, fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Geometry & Problem Solving Level 2 aids learning of 2D shapes and 3D solids, symmetry, patterning, spatial problem solving skills, positioning, creative thinking skills, fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Geometry & Problem Solving Level 3 is for learning advanced sorting and classifying, properties of 2D shapes, symmetry and reflection, spatial problem solving skills, critical thinking skills through logic and reasoning and creative design.
For more school and home educational math toys for different age groups, abilities and developmental stages, view our full range:
https://www.shopedx.co.uk or www.amazon.com/edxeducation
Edx Education – Heather Welch
To find your local Edx Education retailer head over to Where to buy – Edx Education.
