Created for Valentine’s day, but can be used any time. Match the two halves of a broken heart using the written number and a dot (heart) pattern. Differentiate by printing on different coloured piece of paper for each page or the same coloured paper for more challenge.

I created these tins for use in my former nursery where they were enjoyed by children aged 2.5 years to school age. On one side are the ladybirds with 0 - 5 spots and on the reverse the number is written. The tins were left on one of the radiators and the children accessed them when they chose. Sometimes I would find some very curious things in the counting boxes but more often than not the quantity would match the number of spots on the ladybird. Keywords: EYFS, Curriculum for Excellence, Early Numeracy, Numbers, Counting, Nursery, Reception