Page 2 - Newsletter Vol. 7 Issue 2

From EY Director’s Desk

What is 2 + 2?

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) af rms
that high-quality, challenging, and accessible mathematics education for 3- to
6-year-old children is a vital foundation for future mathematics learning.
Research shows that early mathematical knowledge predicts later reading
ability and general education and social progress.

Paying attention to young children’s maths is a focus for our EPG Math
teachers. Evidence from the UK shows that children start primary school with
varying levels of mathematical skills – and disadvantage gaps are already
evident at this point, meaning that some children may not have skills at the
same level as their peers.

Children who start primary school with mathematical abilities behind the level
of their peers will typically remain behind their peers throughout school.

To reduce these gaps, we understand the need to act early. Change won’t be
achieved simply by adding more content to the early years mathematics
curriculum. Neither is it helpful to push children to learn more complex
mathematics earlier. These approaches might lead to children learning maths in
a super cial and rote manner, rather than understanding the underlying ideas.

Our aim also is to “bring maths to life” by using real-world examples: visits to
the supermarket, small world play with store and construction using shapes
and positional language, integrating math and art, seeing shapes in their city
and home.

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