Foundation

MATHS IS EVERYWHERE (YES... EVEN ON A NATURE WALK)

Over the past week, the Preps have been busy discovering something very important: Maths is everywhere, and even better, it can be fun! We have been exploring how playing with maths helps children build strong thinking, problem-solving and communication skills.

We started by asking the big question: “What is maths?”The answers quickly went beyond numbers on a page. The Preps realised we use maths all the time, often without even noticing! Measuring ingredients when baking, counting money at the shops, spotting shapes and patterns, telling the time, and even cutting cake so everyone gets a fair slice (very important maths!) are all part of everyday life. Verdict from the Preps: Maths is EVERYWHERE.

To prove this point, we headed out on a maths nature walk around the school. The students became maths detectives, counting, pointing, spotting shapes and finding patterns in the world around them. We stopped at different spots to talk about what we could see and how it linked to maths.

Here are some of the brilliant comments I heard along the way:

• A circle! (pointing proudly to the centre of the Aboriginal flag)
• There is number 1! (the classroom door finally getting the recognition it deserves)
• A window shape. That’s a square.
• That looks like my lunchbox shape.
• That pattern looks like a chessboard.
• I see 2 sticks, 1 bird… 1, 2, 3, 4, 5… 10 trees!
• The number 5. I am 5. (Excellent personal connection!)
• I could measure that line to see how long it is.

By learning maths in fun, hands-on ways, the Preps are building a strong understanding of early maths concepts and how they connect to the real world. Whether they are sharing with friends, keeping track of time, or counting during play, they are learning skills that help them make sense of everyday life.

So next time your child tells you maths is everywhere… they are not wrong, and they might just spot it before you do!