Songs and books
Nursery rhymes, songs and books with numbers are a fun way to introduce children to how numbers look and sound.
Nursery rhymes, songs and books with numbers are a fun way to introduce children to how numbers look and sound.
Try these classic songs (click on the link for lyrics and tune)
These songs and books include maths concepts such as counting, and developing understanding of ideas like 'more' and 'less'.
All external resources have been reviewed and recommended by our Parental Engagement Pedagogical team. (External links will open in a new tab).
A lively book with rhyming text, counting down from ten to one.
Visit websiteA counting book with a difference: each image is not only an introduction to numerals but also to the shapes and colours of modern art.
Visit websiteThe favourite children's song 'Ten in the Bed' gets a slippery, slidey twist!
Visit websiteA play on the familiar 'there was an old lady who swallowed a fly' in this appealing revolting rhyme.
Visit websiteA round-the-world counting book from Barefoot Books, by Stella Blackstone & Christopher Corr.
Visit websiteA collection of popular counting songs, with video and audio.
Visit websiteIdeas for drawing out bigger activities from songs. Here they show the maths possibilities of Ten Green Bottles.
Visit websiteA downloadable pack of ten fun songs to support the development of maths skills such as counting, sequencing, shapes, positional language and patterns. Includes a parent booklet.
Visit websiteLearn to count with Roald Dahl in this board book for toddlers. With bright, colourful illustrations from Quentin Blake.
Visit websiteA multicultural counting book from Barefoot Books, written and illustrated by Polly Alakija and based around a market day in Nigeria.
Visit websiteCount the animals from one to twenty in this fun hide-and-seek selection from Barefoot Books. Written by Stella Blackstone and illustrated by Clare Beaton.
Visit websitePat, tickle and call to the correct dogs based on Doug's clues! This picture book from Barefoot Books develops young children's sorting and classifying skills. Written by Jane Caston and illustrated by Carmel Saldana.
Visit websiteSing along with this take on a traditional tune that counts from one to ten and introduces musical instruments. Illustrated by Christiane Engel and published by Barefoot Books.
Visit websiteA sticker book full of fun, structured activities to develop children's counting skills and number sense. Based on the Singapore Maths approach.
Visit websiteHelp your child learn about shapes, patterns, weights, lengths & more with this book of fun activities, based on the Singapore Maths approach.
Visit websiteDevelop your child's adding and subtracting skills with this fun-filled sticker activity book, based on the Singapore Maths approach.
Visit websiteA charming story that offers the chance to talk to your child about time and how it passes. Written by Louise Greig and illustrated by Ashling Lindsay.
Visit website