Use this overview of a child's knowledge and their development during Year 1 to build learning opportunities into the curriculum and ensure children are working to age-related expectations.
Beginning of Year 1
At the start of Year 1, children are enthusiastic 'beginning' mathematicians. They have an understanding of the basic concepts of number, shape and measurement, and see mathematics as an exciting and practical element of the curriculum. Children’s thinking, communication and social skills continue to develop through their learning in mathematics.
During Year 1
Children engage with mathematics in a variety of contexts and learn a number of the basic skills and establish some of the core concepts. They:
- receive systematic mathematics teaching every day through a balance of whole-class, group and individual activity that involves, for example, direct teaching, problem solving in groups and independent work
- have carefully planned and appropriate opportunities to develop and apply their learning in other areas of the curriculum and beyond
- develop their knowledge, skills and understanding, for example learning how to read and record numbers, count reliably and begin to recognise place value, and they practise and apply their learning in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
Planning the Year 1 mathematics curriculum
Within planning, build in opportunities for children to:
- link mathematics to practical experiences and their learning in other curricular areas and other daily activities to help them appreciate the role mathematics plays in their everyday lives
- undertake an active role as learners engaging in a blend of oral, visual and practical activities
- undertake collaborative activity to help develop their social skills as they learn to share, take turns and listen and respond to their peers
- participate in regular mental activity alongside practical and informal written work that engages and motivates children and fosters purposeful attitudes to mathematics
- develop their speaking and listening skills in mathematics learning, helping them to acquire new vocabulary and use the language of mathematics to explain their ideas and thinking and develop their reasoning skills
- be supported in their learning of mathematics outside the school environment, fostering home–school links that are an important part of children's experiences.
