TEY_10_1_2020

THE EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION (EEF) IS AN INDEPENDENT CHARITY. Teaching earlymaths The EEF has published a new report featuring five recommendations to help settings develop vital mathematical skills… OFFER CPD Number one is that settings should “invest in developing practitioners’ own understanding of mathematics, their understanding of how children typically learn, and how this relates to effective pedagogy” – put simply, to teach mathematical concepts well, you need to have a firm grasp of them yourself, as well as the skills to communicate them. MAKE TIME Number two is that settings should “dedicate time for children to learn mathematics and integrate mathematics throughout the day” – the report calls on practitioners to discuss mathematical ideas with children and expose them to mathematical language with the aid of books, puzzles, rhymes, puppets and other games; using stories has been found to be particularly effective. OBJECTS & IMAGES Number three is that settings should develop understanding by using “manipulatives” (objects that children can interact with, e.g. pine cones or building blocks) and “representations” (ways of presenting maths, e.g. drawings, symbols or number lines). The report stresses how both are valuable tools for helping children to engage with a range of mathematical concepts. ASSESS ABILITY Number four calls on practitioners to “ensure that teaching builds on what children already know”. Children enter early years settings at different starting points, so careful assessment is essential to identify how best to develop their understanding. Their knowledge should be assessed in a variety of contexts to gather a clear picture. TARGET SUPPORT Number five is that “high quality targeted support” should be employed to “help all children learn maths”. Where children are struggling, it’s useful to provide small-group or one- to-one support to aid progress – try to make sessions short but regular, assign experienced staff to those who are most in need, and provide training where necessary. BEST PRACTICE Teachearlyyears.com 27 The EEF’s Improving mathematics in the early years and KS1 report includes a range of practical advice and insights into improving maths teaching – download it at bit.do/TEYeefm