What’s included in the Counting Objects to 5 Provision Enhancement Prompts and why is it useful?

EYFS Counting Objects to 5 Provision Enhancement Prompts is a set of challenge cards for practising counting objects to 5 across your continuous provision. It covers these areas: Maths, Construction/STEM, Small World, Creative, Home Corner, Fine Motor, Writing, Malleable, Tuff Tray, Sand, Water, Snack and Outdoor.

Challenge Cards

Each card has a short challenge and a clear picture, such as “Count the spots.” or “Put the candles on the cake.”

Advice and Ideas

Next to each pair of cards, the Advice and Ideas panel tells adults how to set up the activity and what to ask, from counting the blocks used in a model to matching keys to numbered padlocks.

Example Activities

• Small World: count the dinosaurs
• Home Corner: count out the plates and cutlery
• Outdoor: throw the beanbags and count them

How do our Provision Enhancement Prompts work?

Print the pages, cut out the challenge cards for the areas you have, and put each one in a frame in the matching provision area. Then set out the resources listed in the Advice and Ideas panel. The cards can stay out all week, so children choose when to have a go, and any adult can use the questions to extend the learning.

Children can use the picture to work out what to do, or have the challenge read to them, and Reception children can have a go at reading the words themselves.

The snack card needs adult supervision.

These cards work best alongside your teaching of counting objects to 5. You could use them with our other EYFS counting resources, so children meet the same learning in adult-led sessions and in their play.