Christine writes: "In the nursery and reception classroom collect a basket of buttons of different shapes and sizes. The children will sort these into sets of size, colour, shape and texture. They can be used for counting and arranging into patterns. All of these activities are used to introduce early mathematical language. Use also a collection of ribbons to sort using the criteria of narrow, broad, short and long. It is amazing for how long young children will remain absorbed with these activities. KS2 colleagues will probably be amazed by the simplicity of this, but this is where we start!!!!!!!!!"