Be the Teacher: Maths Play Invitation with Counters

Focus: Open-ended play with counting, sorting, and number representation

This activity invites your child to take the lead, turning maths into imaginative play. By setting up a simple “invitation to play,” you give them the freedom to explore maths ideas in creative ways.

Equipment you’ll need:

• A small whiteboard and pen (or a sheet of paper and pencil).

• A pile of double-sided counters (or any small objects in two colours).

Setup:

Leave the whiteboard (or paper) and pen beside the pile of counters in a quiet space where your child can discover them.

Invitation to play:

Say something like:

• “Can you show me something with these counters?”

• “You’re the teacher today — what can we write or draw about your counters?”

Possible play and learning:

Children might use the counters to:

• Make pictures and patterns.

• Count groups of counters.

• Sort by colour.

• Represent numbers with drawings or marks.

• Add groups together to make simple sums.

Why it matters:

Open-ended play encourages children to take ownership of their learning. By being “the teacher,” they build confidence in exploring numbers, patterns, and mathematical ideas. This kind of play develops problem-solving, creativity, and early maths language, while giving you a window into their thinking.