Great … Fun at the beach!

Glad to say that my grandchildren are coming to visit and we intend to make the most of the good weather and visit the beach.

There’s plenty of opportunity to play games at the beach and make maths part of everyday life!

For example, filling a bucket with sand helps give the idea of a full bucket, an empty bucket a half-full bucket … these are important mathematical concepts for young children.

Playing Boules – who has thrown the Boules ball the furthest? You can pace these out and see. Learning about the comparatives, such as closest and furthest is a really important mathematical. Then, who has won? Whose ball is the closest to the ‘jack’, and by how much? Is it by a hand span, finger’s width … you can use all sorts of ways to measure and so introduce simple units.

Have fun!  

National Numeracy Challenge Online

Do take a look and have a go at the National Numeracy Challenge Online.

I am very pleased to be supporting this! It can really help with everyday maths.

Everyday Maths … time

It is so easy to overlook how much we use maths as part of our everyday life. 

For example, travelling up to London by train reminded me how much maths is required just to plan this trip!

To start with, there is the use of a timetable. This means understanding how to interpret the timetable as well as knowing about the 24-hour clock, in order to decide which train to catch. Then there is working out what time I have to leave the house to ensure I get that train!

For older children, planning an outing using trains and buses is a great way to help them with maths. Have fun!

Really fabulous day in London ...

Travelled up by train to London yesterday. The train was crowded with many parents and children taking advantage of the special half-term ticket promotion offer on tickets.

One family I saw passed the time away with the children playing cards. I was reminded how simple card games are an excellent, fun way to help your child with maths.

For example, they learn about sequences playing Patience, and Pontoon is good practice for the number bonds to 21, and for older children, gives insights on probability.

It really was a fabulous day in London ...

#MathsForParents recommends National Numeracy Parent Toolkit

National Numeracy have launched their Parent Toolkit! See www.nnparenttoolkit.org.uk
Looks good and very useful for parents. Will definitely be recommending this to parents on my #MathsForParents course!

And now the next #MathsForParents course is due to start on 20th October. Met up with the host this week to discuss it.

I have been running the course in people's homes. The host invites friends, family, colleagues, neighbours etc. along. It's very relaxed and we do the course over coffee/tea and biscuits/cakes and much laughter.

Excited!

Best Wishes for The New School Year ...

New school year and so much is happening.

I know of many friends whose children are starting school for the first time or moving up to senior school. All the very best in your new ventures.

So Chuffed!

The #MathsForParents course has just recently finished.

I was really struck by the comment from one parent:

‘Feel happy. This course has changed my negative view.’

It is so great to hear this as for so many people negative attitudes to maths is such a heavy weight.

I feel so chuffed!  I must get this course out to more people!