Numeracy November 2022
Why are we launching our first ever Numeracy November?
Today is the launch of our very first ever Numeracy November. Numeracy skills are the basic skills or knowledge to apply mathematical knowledge practically in everyday life experiences, for example, at home, work, or school. We use maths in so many of our daily activities without even realising it, from popping to the shops, to baking a cake, budgeting our finances, driving our cars and working out distances, special awareness or working out ratios! Numeracy skills are an integral part of everyday living.
Jerrim (2018) stated that research suggests that in England 4 out of 10 adults are unable to make simple everyday mathematical calculations, whilst Fox (2021) reports that only half of UK adults have a basic level of primary mathematics. This is well below the average of other developed countries. Whilst in 2020 it was reported that 1 in 4 GCSE Students, received a D or below for mathematics (BBC News 2020). This trend goes all the way down to the early years where we know that in 2018 and 2019, 1 in 5 children in did not meet the expected levels for mathematical development (DfE 2019). We need to focus on supporting the foundations of children’s learning to support the trends for future learning, confidence and love for mathematics.
Numeracy November will be running for the whole of November 2022, where we plan to share lots of content and information that will meet the following aims. With the full intention of supporting the early years community as much as possible. And drawing on real life practical examples and sharing a wide range of resources and places to access more help.
In Numeracy November we aim too:
Create a love for applying mathematics in real life!
Help you to support staff who may be struggling with number confidence and signpost helpful resources.
Debunk mathematical terminology.
Help you to create a numeracy rich environment in the early years.
Help you to create a love for numeracy among the children you work with.
How can you get involved?
There are many ways that you can get involved in Numeracy November 2022. You can like and follow posts on Facebook or Instagram. Sign up to our mail merge. Or share ideas in our Early Years Practitioners with Growing Together group on Facebook.