Maths shortcuts

Counting, recognising and writing 1 to 20.

• Counting to 10 on fingersTen fingers, ten numbers — the first calculator anyone ever owns.
• Before and afterNumbers stand in a queue — every one has someone in front and behind.
• Which is bigger?The number you say later when counting is always the bigger one.
• Skip counting in 2s, 5s and 10sJump instead of stepping — the beginning of the times tables.

Adding and subtracting with things you can hold.

• Adding with things you can holdPut them together in one pile and count the pile.
• Taking awayTake some out of the pile and count what is left behind.
• DoublesSame number twice — worth learning by heart, because they unlock everything else.

Circles, squares, and spotting what comes next.

• Shapes you can see at homeEvery shape has a job — find it in the room before naming it.
• What comes next?Say the pattern out loud and your mouth finds the answer before your head does.