Mathematics at Home

Why is Numeracy important and how can you help your child’s mathematical development at home?

Numeracy is more than numbers. Numerical understanding is necessary for everyday activities like telling the time, cooking and setting the table. It is also important for understanding more difficult tasks such as understanding mobile phone plans, planning a trip, reading a map and understanding timetables. Numeracy helps us:

• understand and use numbers and other mathematical ideas in everyday life
• recognise and use shape
• work out the chance of something happening
• understand the data we see in the media.

There are many ways you can help your child’s mathematical development at home.  Here are a few ways:

• counting money, 
• cooking (measuring ingredients)
• working out the quantity of cutlery required to set the table
• reading numbers on street signs and in the environment
• reading maps and giving directions
• telling the time
• counting
• at the supermarket working out what is the best buy when comparing different weights/prices of the same food eg 500g at ? price or 750g at ? price
• playing games that have maths involved

Do not say “Maths is hard” or “I was never good at maths”. Numeracy capability is not inherited, everyone has the capacity to learn but attitudes are contagious.

LoveMaths has an array of excellent fun games involving maths and everyday equipment eg a deck of cards, paper, biros etc.

Further reading that may be of assistance

• https://theconversation.com/eleven-games-and-activities-for-parents-to-encourage-maths-in-early-learning-76522
• https://www.vic.gov.au/how-build-your-childs-numeracy-skills-birth-grade-2
• https://www.numeracyathome.com/
• https://www.wgps.vic.edu.au/uploaded_files/media/numeracy_families_working_it_out_together_early_primary.pdf

If you would like more information or activities to do at home with your child, please feel free to email Michelle.Wall@mountcarmel.tas.edu.au or talk to your child’s class teacher.