Car Number Plate Maths

For children of all mathematics ability, working with their parents in a fun and relaxed way, free from the peer pressures they encounter in the classroom, can only be a good thing! In fact, any mathematics done outside the classroom is invaluable for a child's development. It's about looking for opportunities.
Up to the age of about 11, a majority of children are taken to school either walking, or via the 'school run' - and then trips to cinema, shopping, holidays, etc. As a way of practising and reinforcing the various maths objectives, use the numbers found on car number plates as a starting point. Example - AT 16 DTP

Read that number. Can you count on in ones? in steps of two? 3? 5? ......
Read that number. Can you count back in ones? in steps of two? .....
What do you add to 6 to make 10? 20? 100?
What is 10-6=? 20-6=? 100-6=?
What is double 6? half of 6? three times 6? ten times 6? 100 times 6?
What is 6+7=? 6+9=? 6+5=? .......leading to 6+8=? 6+18=? 6+28=? ...6+78=? etc

What do you add to 16 to make 20? 50? 100?
What is 20-16=? 50-16=? 100-16=?)
What is double 16? half of 16? ten times 16? 100 times 16?
What is 6 divided by 10? by 100?
What are the factors of 6? 16? (or is it a prime number?)

In all these examples, regular practice makes perfect - your child will become very proficient and gain huge self-esteem. And hopefully, you will have fun at the same time. These are just a few questions, covering some of the important maths objectives which you can ask your child. There is a high probability that you will think up many of your own - when you get into the habit!

For young children.
If your child is very young, and doesn't yet understand the abstract concept of number, it will be helpful if you ask questions in a more 'concrete' manner. For example; I have 6 apples, how many more do I add to have 10 apples? If you have 6 apples, and share them equally between you and your friend, how many will you each have?