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Toys for Developing Skills - Mathematics

How Do Babies Develop Maths Skills?

Babies as young as six months can understand some number concepts. They begin noticing groupings of objects.

At a year old, they can look at their drinking cups and decide which one has more water and that's the one they want. They also start to recognise objects and shapes which are the basics of geometry.

Around about 18 months some toddlers can count things. All babies develop at different levels so there is no best way of approaching the teaching of mathematical concepts. But there are things you can do to encourage the understanding of logic and problem solving in preparation for maths.

How Can You Help Your Baby to Develop Maths Skills?

Babies like the world to be ordered so the sooner they start understanding about order the better it is for them. Simple things to begin with can help encourage an interest in maths. Just like you talk to baby about everyday things you can also count things - the number of muslins, or bibs or wipes – everyday objects that you may be using more then one of.

You may be out on a walk and count the number of trees you see or cars. Keep it simple and baby will begin to understand that your words are related to the objects that she sees.

What Kinds of Toys Can Help Your Baby to Develop Maths Skills?

Shape Sorters

At around six months you can invest in shape sorters that help baby to understand more about order. It will probably be another year, give or take, before baby can successfully master all the shapes but babies are programmed to repeat their actions in order to learn so shape sorters are a good way of helping your baby to learn and make those important brain connections.

Shape sorters from Heros or the Early Learning Centre are good fun. Early Learning Centre has a great “Goldilocks House” that's fun for developing imagination as well as an appreciation of maths. Igloo has a Zoo Truck Shape Sorter that's also a pull along toy too

Blocks

Mischief Alphabet Blocks from John Lewis can be used to teach babies about shape and form as well as number counting. As baby reaches later toddlerhood, the blocks can be used properly as they have mathematical signs and numbers on them for counting.

Building blocks like Stickle Blocks or Lego Quattro can be played with to encourage baby to count the number of blocks they are using.

Counting Rings or an Abacus

Mischief Counting Rings can also teach baby about colours as well as counting and help with hand to eye coordination. And all houses should have an abacus.

Books

You don't need to think about maths as scary. Books like “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” and “Nutty Numbers” from Dr Seuss are a fun way of introducing counting and numbers to toddlers. Find them on Amazon.

To find out more about what to look out for when choosing and buying nursery toys visit our How to Choose and Buy a Baby Toy for Different Ages section and our How to Choose and Buy a Baby Toy for Helping to Develop Different Skills section.

To find out more about the different types of nursery toy that are available for each age group visit our Types of Nursery Toy section.

To find out more about the different online baby and nursery toy shops and stores visit our Top Sites section.

To find out more about the top brands of baby toys visit our Top Brands section

You can also find out more in our How to Play with Baby section.