Your 5 to 6 year-old child in Year 1: Maths

What should my child be doing in school?

In years 1-6, maths work in the vast majority of state schools is based on the National Numeracy Strategy.

In year 1, your child should start to do simple sums on paper as well as in her head. She will be taught to compare and order numbers and to try counting in jumps of more than one (2, 5, 10). She may learn some strategies for particular calculations (e.g to add 9, first add 10 then subtract 1) and how to explain how she arrived at her answer.

The idea of estimating will be introduced, and your child will probably do plenty of measuring using invented as well as standard units (e.g straws, exercise books, as well as centimetres). He should learn to describe whether a cup is half full, three-quarters full or nearly empty.

Your child is likely to draw and make common shapes like triangles, cubes and pyramids out of plasticine or card, and to learn to recognise a right angle. She should also be taught how to give and understand simple directions like how to rotate an object.

What should my child be able to do?

By the end of the year your child should be able to:

count at least 20 objects reliably.
count up and down from any number less than ten, and count up and down to at least 50 in 10s, (10, 20, 30 etc.)
read and write numbers up to at least 20 in order and understand which numbers are bigger/smaller.
for any number between 1 and 30, say the number that is 1 or 10 more or less. e.g. Starting with 23; 1 more is 24, 1 less is 22, ten more is 33, ten less is 13.
understand the terms 'addition', 'subtraction', 'take away' and 'difference' and be able to use them.
Know by heart all pairs of numbers that add up to 10 (1+9, 2+8, 3+7 etc.)
use mental arithmetic to solve simple 'real life' problems relating to counting, addition, subtraction, doubling and halving, explaining how the answer was reached. e.g how could you pay 10p using 1p,2p and 5p coins?
compare two lengths, masses or capacities (volume) e.g 4cms and 2cms, 2 litres and 3 litres
suggest what kind of equipment and units of measurement could be used to estimate and then measure length, mass and volume. e.g for length; a ruler and centimetres.
use everyday language to describe features of familiar 3-dimensional and 2-dimensional shapes. e.g A standard cardboard box has four corners, and six rectangular faces.

For details on how you can help your child, including online learning activities, click here.

Please remember: it is natural for children to reach developmental and educational milestones at different times. This guidance only applies to most state schools in England. If your child is struggling, talk to his teacher, health visitor or GP. Otherwise, give him time & encouragement and don't worry!