Modelex Education

MODELEX BLOG

Developing Primary Numeracy at Home

Written by Rhiannon Wallace

Primary Specialist at Modelex, Monaco

Numeracy is the ability to recognise and apply mathematical concepts in all areas of life. It is more than the ability to do basic arithmetic and involves developing confidence and competence with numbers, measure and shape. Numeracy skills involve understanding numbers, counting, solving number problems, measuring, estimating, sorting, noticing patterns, adding and subtracting numbers, and much more. It is an integral part of our lives that we use to do everyday things like:

solve problems – for example, have I got time to walk to school?
analyse and make sense of information – for example, how many wins does my team need to get to the top of the competition?
understand patterns – for example, what number would the next house in this street be?
make choices – for example, which bike is the best value?

Learning in numeracy takes place all around us, not just in the classroom. Indeed, numeracy skills cannot be developed in a vacuum. An example of this is telling the time. Children will be taught about how to read the time in school but unless they practise this regularly in relation to their own lives (e.g. I get up at half past 7; school starts at 8:15) and refer to clocks, they will not develop the competency to tell the time.

There are many ways that you can help to develop your child’s numeracy at home from an early age.

Early Years Numeracy (5 and Under)

Singing number rhymes and songs (e.g. 5 Little Monkeys)
Reading stories with numbers
Changing your tone of voice to describe concepts – for example, a deep, loud voice to describe something big, or a soft, squeaky voice to describe something little.
Sorting toys in different ways; by size, colour, shape and comparing how many they are of each
Arrange toys in order from longest to shortest
Make counting part of your everyday life. For example, count footsteps, toes and fingers; people around a table; toys as you tidy up; steps to the next level; how many jumps you can do
Point out numbers around you – on a clock, a door, a bus number, price tags
Refer to the time on a clock, particularly at mealtimes and bedtime.
Play with jigsaws
Look for different shapes around the house and outside
Use a growth chart or marks on a wall to measure your child’s growing height, and describe to your child what you’re doing.
Use mathematical language to describe what you and your child see and do e.g. “Look at the fast cars,” “That’s a tall tree,” My bag is heavy.”
Play simple board games, card games and puzzles with shapes and numbers, like ‘Snap’, or matching pairs or dominoes.
Race toy cars and talk about which came first, second or third.
Involve your child in cooking. Your child can help stir, pour, fill and mix. This helps your child get familiar with concepts like counting, measuring, adding and estimating.

Key Stage 1 Numeracy (Age 5 to 7)

In addition to the above activities:

Play board games such as ‘Snakes and Ladders.’
Play dominoes
Put a clock in your child’s bedroom and refer to it
Buy your child an analogue watch
Do timed activities e.g. Brush teeth for 2 minutes
Do more complicated jigsaw puzzles together
Build with Lego and other construction toys
Count in 2s, 5s and 10s
Sort a handful of coins

Key Stage 2 Numeracy (Age 7 to 11)

Additionally:

Play games which involve calculating scores e.g board and card games
Calculate the cost of a restaurant meal or take away
Estimate and measure items around your home e.g. The height of a door, width of a table; size of a screen
Set budgets for purchases and encourage saving
Compare prices of an item in different shops
Adjust baking recipes for more or less people
Involve your child in trip planning e.g. calculated time, cost and distance of different routes; using timetables
Try some origami
Solve puzzles requiring spatial awareness – and 500+ piece jigsaws
Use a clock or timer to set time limits for activities

As you can see, numeracy is incorporated in many things we do on a daily basis. By using mathematical language with your child from a young age and involving your child in activities and decisions as they get older, helping to develop their numeracy skills will also become part of daily life.

OUR APPROACH TO THE ACT

The ACT is one of the two main tests for entrance to US universities, the other being the SAT – and at Modelex our tutors can help advise students on which of the two to select given their individual strengths. It is vital that international students applying to the top US universities score highly when sitting the ACT, as their results are used as a key data point in comparing the many candidates applying for limited places.

Our approach to the ACT emphasizes reinforcing students’ understanding of the key topics being examined: English, Maths, Science, Reading, and Writing (in the optional essay section). We ensure students practice the multiple choice format of the test thoroughly, providing detailed feedback and building up exam technique and confidence. We also work through the Science section in detail, ensuring students understand what skills this section requires them to demonstrate.

Our teachers also provide guidance and support for students in preparing to tackle the optional essay question, working with them on how best to develop their arguments and distinguish themselves in the limited time given. In addition, they are familiar with supporting students whose first language is not English in performing well when sitting the ACT.

OUR APPROACH TO PRIMARY ENGLISH TUITION

We put developing children’s love for books and reading at the heart of our approach to English tuition at Primary level. A range of diverse children’s fiction authors, non-fiction texts and poetry are used to stimulate interest and provide in depth exploration of high-quality texts. This includes the teaching of literary texts from a variety of cultures – including texts in translation – and a focus on teaching our students to critically evaluate multiple perspectives. Our teachers use a range of pedagogical tools to bring characters, settings, writing styles to life for children in age-appropriate ways, and to ensure their vocabulary and knowledge of grammar are equally well developed.

Download our guide to daily habits that help your child excel at primary numeracy and literacy.

By engaging our students in this way, they learn the importance of language and of different cultures, and are better able to articulate their thoughts and ideas with appropriate and challenging words and phrases.

At Modelex we also have extensive experience of tutoring young students whose do not have English as a first language, and our approach helps these students quickly develop and deepen their confidence and fluency in the language. In turn, this focus helps support these students’ study of other academic subjects which are taught in English.