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Maths

Find the Missing Number

Overview

Children count objects and find out how many are missing.

Learning Objective
Children identify missing numbers in a sequence.

Resources needed

  • Groups of objects
  • Number cards (optional)

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Place a group of objects in front of the children.
  2. 2 Count them together.
  3. 3 Remove one or more objects without showing.
  4. 4 Ask: 'What is missing? How many are gone?'
  5. 5 Let children explain their thinking.
  6. 6 Show the objects and count again to check.
  7. 7 Repeat with different numbers.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Use larger numbers
  • Hide objects under a cloth
  • Ask children to create their own missing number challenges
More information

Emphasise the word 'missing' with a gesture (e.g. hands apart, then one disappears). Pause to allow thinking time.

Start by removing just one object before removing more.

Do children use counting on, or do they recount from 1? Can they say how many are missing without recounting?

Use any objects and a cloth or cupped hands to hide them. No number cards are needed — the activity works purely with physical objects.

Children often recount all visible objects and forget to account for the hidden ones. They may also confuse 'how many are missing' with 'how many are there now'. Use consistent language to separate these two questions.

Activity details
Early Years Easy 10–15 minutes 5 minutes prep Small Group, Whole Class Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Counting Number Sequence