If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know I’m a big believer in keeping things simple, playful and practical — especially in early years maths. The best resources are the ones you can grab off the shelf (or out of your pocket) and instantly turn into a rich learning experience.

Today, I’m sharing 5 of my favourite go-to maths resources for EYFS and Year 1, along with my top 5 low-prep, high-impact ideas for each. I’ll also pop in where they link to Development Matters and the Year 1 National Curriculum so you can see exactly why they’re worth using.

👉 If you’re one of my Mr Mc subscribers, you’ll find an exclusive video tutorial in your members’ area this month where I model using a counting stick for number sense, step by step. If you’re not yet a subscriber, now’s a great time to join us — that video’s only available inside the membership!

Click here to check out the Mr Mc Members area and also get access to my coaching

Resource 1: The Counting Stick

I bang on about this all the time — and for good reason. It’s simple, visual, and you can do so much with it.

📺 Mr Mc Members — your exclusive Counting Stick Video is in the portal now!

Top 5 Ideas:

1. Counting forwards and backwards — tap along as you count out loud.

2. Missing number game — take off a number card and ask what’s missing.

3. Out of order numbers — muddle them up and ask children to fix it.

4. Number patterns — colour alternate sections and ask children what comes next.

5. Partitioning numbers — cover part of the stick and ask how many are left.

Resource 2: 10 Frames

An absolute staple in my classroom. Perfect for subitising, number bonds and exploring more and less.

Top 5 Ideas:

1. Show a number — what’s missing?

2. Fill a ten frame and ask ‘how many more to 10?’

3. Compare two ten frames — which has more? Less?

4. Use loose parts to fill frames outdoors.

5. Number bonds to 10 — how many ways can you make 7?

   
   

   

Resource 3: Rekenreks

Think of them as a bead string with built-in subitising power.

Top 5 Ideas:

1. Flash a number and ask ‘how many?’

2. Show a number — how many more to 10?

3. Show two numbers — which is bigger?

4. Number bonds — slide 6 beads, how many left to 10?

5. Quick doubles — 3 and 3, 4 and 4.

Resource 4: The humble flashcard

So simple. So effective. Every classroom should have a set of 1–20 (and beyond) cards ready to grab.

You can even cut up bits of cardbaord box and make some bouji cards huns.

Top 5 Ideas:

1. Order the cards forwards and backwards

2. Find the missing number

3. Match numeral to a group of objects

4. Hold up a card, children jump that many times

5. Play ‘greater than / less than’ games

   
   

Resource 5: Pebbles!!!!

Natural, tactile and perfect for continuous provision. I always have a basket in my maths area and outside.

Top 5 Ideas:

1. Use as counters for ten frames and number lines

2. Make numeral and quantity sets (e.g. ‘show me 6 pebbles’)

3. Create number stories (‘I found 3 pebbles, then 2 more… how many now?’)

4. Order them from smallest to largest, or by quantity

5. Use them to build number patterns

Final thoughts...

You don’t need a cupboard full of fancy kits to deliver rich maths learning. A counting stick, a ten frame, some flashcards, a handful of pebbles and (if you can get one) a rekenrek can unlock dozens of meaningful number sense experiences.

And if you’re a Mr Mc subscriber — don’t forget to watch this month’s exclusive Counting Stick video where I show you exactly how to make the most of it in your classroom. That one’s only available in the members’ area and it’s packed with practical ideas.

Which one’s your favourite? Got another resource you swear by?

Drop it in the comments or tag me on Instagram I love seeing what’s happening in other classrooms!