Subitising is the ability to look at a small set of objects and instantly know how many there are without counting them. For example, when rolling a dice we don’t need to count the dots to know what we have rolled. It is important in the early development of number sense.
Our Maths Ambassadors know how significant subitising is, and so we take time to learn and share games using cards, dice and dominos. We teach these to our peers and the younger children at school to help develop maths skills whenever we can.
The dot patterns on dominoes are some of the most universally well-known examples of subitising and playing dominoes in small groups can help us become more fluent in these number patterns.
Cards are a great source of a variety of games which involve subitising. The ones we especially like to play at Notre Dame are addition, subtraction and multiplication ‘war’.
Board games using dice are another brilliant way of helping us subitise and recognise key mathematical patterns.
The Prep Maths area on Firefly has lots of suggestions and the rules of games using cards, dominos and dice so please do have a look and join in the fun.
