This week in Maths, children will be learning about multiplication and counting in 2s.
Multiplication is often seen as repeat addition, but it differs from addition in that the sets of objects you are totalling are made up of the same number of items. In Reception, children’s experience of multiplication as counting equal groups is done through pairing and counting feet, eyes, socks, gloves and pairs of shoes!
Counting two objects as one unit is an important multiplication skill.
How you can help at home
Give your child lots of practical experiences. Let your child help to put socks in pairs and count how many there are.
It is important that children also see multiplication as an arrangement of rows and columns. Examples of this around the home include
- egg boxes
- egg and bun trays
- squares in a large chocolate bar
- some of the buttons on most remote controls