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| The importance of numeracy in under fives |
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In this tech-focused 21st century, numeracy skills are becoming increasingly critical, both
for employment and social participation. Numeracy isn't simply counting and addition. It is understanding
patterns, spatial awareness, mathematical thinking and reasoning, and the foundations for these skills
are laid long before formal education starts.
As the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) states: "Positive
attitudes and competencies in literacy and numeracy are essential for children's successful learning.
The foundations for these competencies are built in early childhood." (DEEWR, 2009, p. 38).
These foundations can be laid both in a childcare environment or at home with parents. However,
with school readiness in mind, many parents tend to focus more on literacy and social skills in the early
childhood years, with numeracy skills being left to come once formal education starts. Studies have found
that childhood mathematic skills in the early years are predictive of mathematic skills later in life.
So, if we want children to do well in STEM subjects and employment when they grow up, they need to begin
these skills early.
Let's Count
A recent Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS) found that Australia ranks 28th out of 49 countries in Year 4 mathematics, now ranking
below Kazakhstan, Portugal, England and Slovenia. The top five were Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, China
and Japan, showing that Australia is significantly lagging behind our neighbours when it comes to numeracy.
To address the lack of early numeracy skills in preschool children, the Smith Family launched a
three-year national numeracy program for children aged three to five called Let's Count that supports parents
and early educators to develop these essential maths skills, in particular those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Smith Family research found: “In the first year of school, one in four children who live in Australia's
most disadvantaged communities do not have the numeracy skills needed for school." It also found:
"17 per cent of Year 9 students from low socioeconomic background and 31 per cent from Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander background do not meet the national minimum numeracy standard on NAPLAN."
The program has had significant success. For example, 66 per cent of participants were able to complete
a task of ordering three one-digit numbers after one year in the program, compared to 47 per cent of
those not involved in the program.
Things you can do
Mathematical skills begin in early infancy, where children begin to understand the world around
them. Parents play a critical role in fostering these early skills. The EYLF recommends all activities
are centred around play-based learning for children under five years old, so any activities need to be
enjoyable and motivating. The most important thing is fostering a love for learning, found through exploration,
curiosity and fun!
Here are a few to try:
Paper plate clocks: Draw a clock face on a paper plate, make a hole in the middle and
poke the end of 2 pipe cleaners for hands (one long, one short) through the hole. A great combination
of craft and numeracy, this teaches numbers 1–12, whilst also exposing children to the concept of time.
Family calendar: A family calendar helps kids relate time to life, whilst keeping the
family organised! Put in daily activities and tick of days as they happen.
Include numeracy in everyday activities: Count out apples when you are at the supermarket,
group sticks into piles at the park, draw shapes in chalk on the driveway. These everyday activities
help place numeracy in a child's tangible world.
Create patterns: An important part of mathematic thinking is seeing and understanding
patterns. You can create patterns from anything – pegging a sequence of coloured clothes pegs on a line
or organising toy cars in shapes, sizes and colours. Allowing a child to create their own patterns will
also give them the opportunity to test out their creative and problem-solving skills.
Counting books and songs: Reinforcing counting in a fun way, counting books and counting
songs give a visual or audio anchor to numeracy. And kids love them!
If your child is in a care environment during the day, whether long day care, family day care, occasional care or a nanny, talk to your carer to see
what their numeracy curriculum entails.
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