Mathematics 

Talking about Maths

Remember over the holidays to continue to talk about mathematics. Regardless of your child's age, regularly talking and engaging in conversation about mathematics can help build an authentic mathematical understanding. Some ways to help keep the talk engaging and focused: 

• Revoice - Repeat what you heard your child say then ask for clarification (e.g. So you are saying that the train to the city departs in 12 minutes?)
• Repeat/restate - Ask your child to restate your reasoning (e.g. Can you repeat what I said in your own way/words?)
• Reasoning - Ask your child to apply their own reasoning to someone else's ideas (e.g. do you agree or disagree with Jill's thinking?)
• Adding on - Prompt your child to add on or engage further (e.g. What more could we add?) 
• Think Time - Remember to provide opportunities for your child to think. Wait a few seconds (even up to 20 seconds!) to give your child the opportunity to gather and contribute their thoughts. You may be surprised by how hard it is to stay silent in that time! 

Daily Maths opportunities

Over the holidays, involve your child in everyday mathematics. Involve your child in using numbers to solve problems and using these to make everyday decisions. 

• Engage in cooking - measuring, weighing, ordering, estimating, adding and multiplying! 
• Restaurants and shopping involves money, number identification, estimating, adding, subtracting and division. 
• Board game - focuses on one-to-one correspondence, problem-solving and trialling strategies.
• Gardening involves measuring, counting, area, and division
• Travelling - can relate to time tables, time, money, budgets, and estimation.

Melanie Norton

Mathematics Leader