Why do it?

Simple maths is everywhere. It is:

  • finding things that go together
  • organising things into groups
  • using ideas about shape, colour, size, number and patterns.

How to do it

You can play games around the house where children group things together — matching socks and shoes, or sorting forks and spoons, as well as sorting books, blocks or bottle tops.

You can collect things from around the house:

  • cards
  • magazine pictures
  • photos
  • You can go for walks to gather items that are good for matching and sorting:
  • shells
  • leaves
  • twigs
  • pebbles
  • driftwood.

 

Kāri Cards
Pikitia Picture
Whakaahua Photograph
Anga Shell
Rau Leaf
Rārā Twig
Pōhatu Pebble
Tāwhaowhao Driftwood
Porowhā Square
Porohita Circle
Porotītaha Oval
Tapatoru Triangle
Tapawhā Rectangle
Ngā tae Colours
Whero Red
Kōwhai Yellow
Kākāriki Green
Kāhurangi Blue
White
Pango Black
Ngā tau Numbers
Rahi Size
Tauira Pattern
Shoe
Tōkena Sock
Whāka Fork
Koko Spoon
Ngā rakau Blocks
E hia ngā mea? How many things?
Tokohia ngā tangata? How many people?
Kotahi te pukapuka There is one book
E rima ngā koko There are five spoons
Rite tonu, ōrite Same
Rerekē Different
Wehewehea Sort
He aha te tae? What colour is it?
Te tae ōrite Same colour
Te āhua ōrite Same shape
E hia ō hū? How many shoes have you?
E rua ōku hū I have two shoes
E hia ō tau? How old are you?
E toru ōku tau I am three years old
Rite tonu te tae o ēnei mea These things are the same colour