Early Years Numeracy

In Victoria, as in other education systems around the world, the improvement of numeracy levels is a high priority. International research suggests that students who leave the early years of schooling without having experienced success in mathematics may make fewer gains in later years.

The Early Years Numeracy Strategy is a comprehensive and strategic approach to numeracy achievement in the early years of schooling.

The Early Years Numeracy Program is a major new and exciting Department of Education, Employment and Training initiative. The Early Years Numeracy Program has been designed as a resource for schools to use in planning and implementing a strategic and comprehensive approach to early mathematics teaching and learning in the first five years of schooling. The Program is based on the recognition that all children can succeed in Mathematics given sufficient time and support, and that by the end of this critical stage of schooling; students will be competent and confident in their early mathematical learning. The Early Years Numeracy Program is based on extensive research into exemplary practice in early years numeracy teaching and learning in Victoria, Australia and in other countries.

The Early Years Program:

• Outlines a process for the continuous monitoring and assessment of students progress.
• Describes stages of mathematical growth in the early years of schooling.
• Provides a structured classroom program, including a range of teaching approaches.
• Outlines strategies for providing additional assistance to those students that require it.
• Provides strategies to involve parents in their children’s Mathematics education.

our dedicated Staff  have been involved in extensive professional development sessions in Early Years Numeracy strategies and procedures over the last six months. This will continue on in Terms 3 and 4. An Early Years Numeracy Parent Information Session is planned for Term 4.

Jells Park Primary School –Numeracy Improvement Program

At Jells Park Primary School we firmly believe that every child can achieve success in Mathematics given sufficient time and assistance. As dedicated educators, we are committed to achieving this goal. Subsequently we have developed a Numeracy Improvement Program called N.I.P.

N.I.P. is an appropriate title indeed. As we intend to ‘nip in the bud’ any potential mathematical difficulties a student may be experiencing so that they can blossom and grow mathematically.

Selected students receive an additional hour in individual Maths instruction per week with Matthew Cherry, the Program Facilitator. Students carry out mathematical tasks carefully designed to develop and strengthen their individual understanding of number concepts. Student’s progress is constantly monitored and recorded during the Program.

The Numeracy Improvement Program has been designed to improve the mathematical skills and understandings of students identified as performing under expected grade levels, through specifically designed teaching tasks. The teaching task often takes the form of a carefully constructed Maths game so that the child sees Maths as fun, enjoyable and achievable.