Mathematics Mathematical Thinkingusually ages 5–6

Spotting mathematical patterns

Notice simple patterns and structures: spot that changing order doesn't change the total, and recognise how numbers relate to each other

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Notice that 3 + 2 gives the same answer as 2 + 3 (early commutativity)
Recognise that teen numbers are 'ten and some more' (e.g. 14 is 10 and 4)
Spot a pattern in a sequence of objects or numbers and predict what comes next

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Try this together

Has your child noticed that adding numbers in a different order gives the same answer — like 3 + 5 and 5 + 3 both equal 8 — and can they explain why that makes sense?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Addition as combining or putting together twoages 4–6Noticing commutativity of addition exercises spotting structural patterns

The teen numbersages 5–7Recognising teen numbers as 'ten and some more' exercises noticing structure

Spotting mathematical patternsthis skill · ages 5–6

Unlocks

Shape patternsages 6–7Age 6-7 using structure deliberately builds on age 5-6 noticing simple patterns and structure

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

Show candidate curriculum codes · 3 ACARA · 2 NSW · 3 VIC

Australian Curriculum v9 candidate

AC9M1A01medium confidenceYear 1 · Algebra

recognise, continue and create pattern sequences, with numbers, symbols, shapes and objects, formed by skip counting, initially by twos, fives and tens

AC9M2N04medium confidenceYear 2 · Number

add and subtract one- and two-digit numbers, representing problems using number sentences and solve using part-part-whole reasoning and a variety of calculation strategies

AC9MFN05medium confidenceFoundation · Number

represent practical situations involving addition, subtraction and quantification with physical and virtual materials and use counting or subitising strategies

NSW syllabus codes & stages only

MAE-RWN-01medium confidenceMathematics K-10 · Early Stage 1

MA1-RWN-01medium confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 1

Victorian Curriculum 2.0 codes & levels only

VC2M1A01medium confidenceMathematics · Level 1 · Algebra strand

VC2M1A02medium confidenceMathematics · Level 1 · Algebra strand

VC2M2A01medium confidenceMathematics · Level 2 · Algebra strand

These are candidate alignments generated by semantic matching — machine-suggested and unreviewed (v0.1), not official or verified mappings. For official curriculum content see australiancurriculum.edu.au, curriculum.nsw.edu.au and f10.vcaa.vic.edu.au. Don’t rely on them for registration or compliance purposes.

Nearby on the map

Early Maths Vocabularyages 5–6 Finding efficient methodsages 5–6 Hands-On Problem Solvingages 5–6 Making Sense of Problemsages 5–6

All Mathematical Thinking skills →