Grannymaths: fun mathematical activities to try with young children

 Interactive session led by Professor Jennie Golding, University College London

Most of us, at some stage in our lives, are fortunate to spend time interacting with young children, whether as parents, siblings, non-family caregivers, grandparents etc. Many adults are confident to read to children, perhaps help them colour or climb trees or maybe support early reading, but might feel less equipped to interact with them mathematically. Beyond counting, we might not always feel confident to know what (often informal) mathematical ideas are important, at what stage, or understand just how much difference we can and do make to a child’s mathematical thriving. Though as adults we increasingly appreciate just how important it is to be able to engage critically with the barrage of data we now meet, or the probabilities that come with the weather forecast, or the risks of payday loans etc.

This interactive session explores easy ways to involve young learners from birth to age 7 in mathematical talk, activities and games in their everyday lives, at home, walking along the road, at the shops or in the park etc. and to have enormous fun while doing so. Come prepared to join in, play some games, and enjoy yourself.

Jennie is a mathematician and education researcher, mother of three and grandmother of six. She has a background in teaching maths to learners aged 3-99, school leadership and teacher education. She is now an academic, researching the policy-practice interface in maths education with a view to informing the development of high-quality maths education for all, and is a member of the Royal Society Advisory Committee for Mathematics Education. She believes that virtually all young people can become confident and effective users of maths if they have appropriately positive, challenging and affirming home, childcare and schooling experiences, and is passionate about supporting other adults to be confident to enjoy mathematical activities with children from birth onwards.