Numeracy News

HOW CAN I HELP BUILD MY CHILD'S NUMERACY?

You can find information and advice here that will:

• help your child to learn mathematics and numeracy at home
• explain the difference between numeracy and mathematics
• identify and address some common myths about mathematics

Families will find helpful suggestions on activities that have a numeracy focus that they can participate in together, along with a number of resources that they can access to develop numeracy understandings.

How Can I Help Build My Child's Numeracy?

As parents you play a significant role in your child’s learning by setting expectations, nurturing curiosity, and encouraging a love of learning. You can help build your child’s numeracy through doing the following:

• be positive about their numeracy experiences and praise effort and perseverance
• let your child know that everyone can be successful
• seize everyday opportunities to capitalise on numeracy development
• involve your child in numeracy-related activities
• describe what you are doing in situations that involve numeracy
• explain why you make certain numeracy choices
• explore numeracy with your child
• learn alongside your child and encourage a sharing of numeracy ideas and thoughts.

Helping children to become numerate does not need a high level of mathematics. It means:

• encouraging children to try, then keep trying
• encouraging children to think (reason)
• supporting children while they do homework (which means encouraging them and taking an interest, but not doing the thinking for them)
• modelling numeracy with children (including interpreting data, charts and diagrams)
• talking aloud when solving problems (every day or mathematical)
• getting children to check their answers (Does this answer make sense?)
• encouraging children to help with
  • cooking (especially measuring out ingredients)
  • paying bills
  • scheduling events in the day
  • reading maps and giving directions
  • shopping
  • measuring –– and thanking them for their support
• do not say “Maths is hard” or “I was never good at maths”.                               Numeracy capability is not inherited but attitudes are contagious.

To focus on your child’s problem-solving approaches and their reasoning:

• Ask questions and give instructions like
  • “What do you already know about this problem/question?”
  • “How might you work it out?”
  • “Explain why you think that is the answer?”
• Do not focus only on the correct response, the process/approach is important
• Allow your child to experience some confusion. It is an essential aspect of the learning process.