Foundational Skills in Maths

Foundational maths skills in UK primary schools focus on a deep understanding of number and place value, essential for all other areas, alongside fluency in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and the beginnings of fractions, all built through concrete experiences, vocabulary, and problem-solving, as guided by the National Curriculum. Key areas include counting, comparing numbers, recognising patterns, shape and space, and measurement, progressing from Early Years to Key Stages 1 and 2. 
 
Key Foundational Skills by Area:
  • Number & Place Value:
    • Counting (steps of 2, 3, 5, 10s) and understanding number sequences.
    • Recognising the value of digits (tens, ones, hundreds).
    • Comparing and ordering numbers using <, >, = signs.
    • Reading, writing, and representing numbers (objects, number lines).
  • Calculation (Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide):
    • Developing mental and written fluency.
    • Using number bonds (e.g., to 5, 10) and double facts.
    • Solving simple problems by counting on/back.
  • Fractions:
    • Early understanding of parts of a whole.
  • Measurement & Geometry:
    • Using language of size, weight, capacity, distance (length, height).
    • Recognising, describing, and creating patterns.
    • Exploring properties of everyday objects and shapes.
  • Data Handling & Problem Solving:
    • Sorting, comparing, and handling data.
    • Using and applying maths in real-life contexts. 
 
How They're Developed:
  • Concrete to Abstract: Moving from physical objects (counting blocks) to pictures, then numbers.
  • The "Four Cs": Converse, Count, Compare, Categorise to build early skills.
  • Subitising: Instantly recognising small quantities without counting (e.g., dots on a die).
  • Mathematical Vocabulary: Using precise language (more than, less than, etc.).
  • Enjoyment & Resilience: Making maths fun and valuing mistakes as learning opportunities. 
If you are interested in supporting your child with their maths fluency and confidence, please follow the links below:
 
https://whiteroseeducation.com/1-minute-maths
 https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zr99cqt 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zhtf3j6
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zjxhfg8
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z826n39
https://www.topmarks.co.uk
https://mathsframe.co.uk