Counting with Movement: Gross Motor Maths for Active Learners

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In this article, you’ll find key sections and practical takeaways. Tap a heading to jump straight to what you need.

• Learning Maths Through Movement
• Making Maths Physical and Fun
• Playful Ideas Using Edx Education’s Active Learning Resources
• Learning Together: Indoor and Outdoor Games
• Building Confidence Through Play
• Keep Playing, Keep Counting
• Frequently Asked Questions

When we think about early maths, we often picture children sitting at a table counting blocks or tracing numbers. But for many young learners especially those who are active, curious, and full of energy learning through movement is far more effective. At Edx Education, we believe that maths is best learned through play, and that includes play that gets children moving, jumping, balancing, and laughing.

That’s where gross motor maths comes in a wonderful way to combine physical play with early number skills. By engaging the body, children not only strengthen their coordination and balance but also reinforce essential maths concepts like counting, sequencing, and pattern recognition.

Learning Maths Through Movement

Young children learn by doing. Movement activates both sides of the brain, helping them connect abstract ideas like “one, two, three” to real-world actions. When a child hops three times, throws two bean bags, or balances along a trail of numbered steps, they’re physically experiencing quantity, rhythm, and order. >Joey Jump/Bean Bags

This physical engagement makes learning stick. Instead of memorising numbers in isolation, children feel what “three” means in their bodies. For active learners, this multi-sensory approach builds both understanding and confidence in early years maths.

Making Maths Physical and Fun

You don’t need a classroom or even a lot of space to get children moving with maths. With a few simple tools and a playful attitude, everyday environments gardens, living rooms, or playgrounds become rich learning spaces.

Playful Ideas Using Edx Education’s Active Learning Resources

• Joey Jump: This fun coordination game encourages children to stomp on a board and send a bean bag flying into the air. As they try to catch it, they can count out loud “one, two, three!” each time they jump. This builds counting fluency, timing, and body control.
• Step-a-Trails: These bright, textured stepping stones are perfect for number sequencing and balance play. Arrange them in a number line and have children walk, hop, or tiptoe along while counting forward and backward. This physical number line strengthens one-to-one correspondence.
• Bean Bags: One of the most versatile learning tools, bean bags can be tossed, balanced, or hidden for countless counting games. Try a “bean bag toss” where children aim for numbered buckets, making counting tangible and active.

Learning Together: Indoor and Outdoor Games

Group play offers even more opportunities for maths and movement. Games like number relay races, counting catch, or jump-and-count challenges are wonderful for developing teamwork, listening skills, and turn-taking all while reinforcing numeracy.

For example, line up a set of numbered Step-a-Trails and call out “Hop to number five!” Children listen, move, and count all in one joyful burst of activity. On rainy days, create a numbered obstacle course with cushions to keep the learning going indoors.

Building Confidence Through Play

When children move, they’re not just learning maths; they’re learning about themselves. Balancing, jumping, and catching build body awareness, coordination, and perseverance. These physical skills link directly to social and emotional growth, giving children the confidence to take on challenges both in play and in the classroom.

Keep Playing, Keep Counting

Maths doesn’t have to mean sitting still. By blending movement with counting, we create powerful learning moments that children will remember. To discover more active learning ideas, explore our free downloadable resources and tune into our Play, Learn & Create podcast.

By Heather Welch, General Manager Edx Education UK and Author of Happy Children Play

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