1. MATHS IS ALL AROUND US
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2. It’s easy to be afraid of numbers
Afraid to be wrong
Afraid to be laughed at
Afraid to seem stupid
Afraid to be discovered

3. Do children have an innate understanding of numeracy?

4. Yes
They can recognise a small number of objects without having to count them They have an inbuilt ‘number sense’ So, what might go wrong?

5. How practitioners may negatively affect numeracy skills
Formalise number learning too early
Don’t encourage exploration and experimentation enough
Don’t provide enough problem-solving activities
Don’t develop reasoning skills with ‘what if’ questions
Make children afraid to be wrong

6. Maths is all around us

7. Taking opportunities Talk to children about maths
Ask children maths questions
Set up activities that promote mathematical development
Create a maths-rich environment
Make good use of all of the everyday mathematical opportunities around you

8. Where’s the maths?

9. Where’s the maths?

10. Activity
How do you help children to understand that it is ok to make mistakes?
How do you react if you ask a child a maths-related question and they get the answer wrong?
How does your reaction impact on the likelihood of them volunteering an answer next time?
Talk over these points with a senior colleague or your line manager.