• Rekenreks, rods, counters and cubes,
• Straws, small toys, pegs and paper tubes,
• Bead strings, building blocks, dice and dienes,
• Numicon, number lines, buttons and dried beans.

There is a multitude of mathematical manipulativesobjects that educators and children can move and interact with to represent mathematical ideas (including fingers, everyday objects, such as buttons or pine cones, and mathematical resources such as Numicon, Cuisenaire rods). available for children and practitioners to interact with and these manipulativesobjects that educators and children can move and interact with to represent mathematical ideas (including fingers, everyday objects, such as buttons or pine cones, and mathematical resources such as Numicon, Cuisenaire rods). can be used in many ways to develop children’s mathematical understanding.

1. Support fluency and flexibility

Not only can they help reveal the mathematical structure when used effectively, but they can also be used to support children in making connections with their learning which can build flexibility and fluency.

Emma Barker, Deputy Headteacher, Amberley Primary School

2. Provide a talking tool

They can act as a talking tool – a way to encourage mathematical discussion.

Rob Cox, Maths leader, Ashfield Park Primary School 

3. Support problem-solving

Children can work in pairs and small groups using manipulativesobjects that educators and children can move and interact with to represent mathematical ideas (including fingers, everyday objects, such as buttons or pine cones, and mathematical resources such as Numicon, Cuisenaire rods). to solve problems. They can encourage questions about other children’s strategies and reasoning. This can prompt the sharing and comparison of different approaches.

A task from NRICH.

Lisa Heatherington, School Improvement Advisor, North Tyneside

4. Reveal misconceptions

Manipulativesobjects that educators and children can move and interact with to represent mathematical ideas (including fingers, everyday objects, such as buttons or pine cones, and mathematical resources such as Numicon, Cuisenaire rods). can also be used by children to communicate what they know. They can reveal any misconceptions children may have and helps teachers to adapt their teaching to build on children’s prior knowledge.

Michelle Cobbs, Evidence Lead in Education, Aspirer Research School

5. Provide meaningful contexts

They can also provide meaningful contexts for children to develop their mathematical understanding, making it a more engaging experience.

Claire Williams, Deputy headteacher, Alexandra Park Primary School

Mathematical manipulativesobjects that educators and children can move and interact with to represent mathematical ideas (including fingers, everyday objects, such as buttons or pine cones, and mathematical resources such as Numicon, Cuisenaire rods). can be used in many ways – objects you can move around, interact with, and play with – they can help pupils to engage in mathematical chatter. They’re powerful tools that really do matter.

Further readings

Education Endowment Foundation. (2020). Improving mathematics in Early Years and Key Stage 1, pp. 16 – 17. Available at: EEF_Maths_EY_KS1_Guidance_Report.pdf

Education Endowment Foundation. (2017). Improving mathematics in Key Stages 2 and 3, pp. 10 – 13. Available at: EEF-Improving-Mathematics-in-Key-Stages-2-and‑3 – 2022-Update.pdf

manipulativesobjects that educators and children can move and interact with to represent mathematical ideas (including fingers, everyday objects, such as buttons or pine cones, and mathematical resources such as Numicon, Cuisenaire rods).?x‑craft-live-preview=06199e572978594ac59a18f58491f3e2a6c22289f9eff8edf32b1352e30ea75fueglttxzna”>Myth-busting mathematical manipulativesobjects that educators and children can move and interact with to represent mathematical ideas (including fingers, everyday objects, such as buttons or pine cones, and mathematical resources such as Numicon, Cuisenaire rods). | EEF

If you’d like to delve into each purpose more deeply, check out the blogs below.