Early Childhood Mathematics Group: for expertise in teaching and learning early maths.
Guidance to support adults working with children from birth to seven

To support the new government's curriculum and assessment review and highlight some of the current issues, ECMG has produced new research-based proposals for the EYFS and KS1 maths curriculum. These include suggestions to remove baseline assessment and broaden the ELGs to include spatial reasoning and pattern, as well as ensuring continuity  from the EYFS to KS1.

 

The ECMG has identified some key principles for early childhood mathematics pedagogy, to help young children to learn maths. These include provision, activities, teaching strategies and dispositions, supported by photos of varied practice, with the aim of promoting positivity and success for all children in mathematics.

The ECMG have submitted an evidence-based response to the government's Curriculum and Assessment Review,  based on members' contributions.

We have now produced Mixed-year group guidance, with strategies and examples from a range of experienced educators.

Bird-feeding provides seasonal opportunities for Mathematical Moments with young children, as shown by childminder Sam Goldsworthy.

Australian academics have been inspired by ECMG to develop a new website, Early Childhood and  Primary Mathematic Education (ECPME). This covers a range of topics, such as multi -modal thinking, with  ideas for provocations currently being added.

 

 

 

See our new mathematical moment
about knots
Mixed year-group guidance
Many schools have classes that contain two or more year-groups. Dip in to our guidance from a range of educators working with mixed year-groups.
Maths Family Postcards
Prompts for developing children’s maths thinking in everyday activities, in a range of languages, to share with families.
Mathematical Moments
Cameos of young children learning maths in a range of contexts (some with videos)
Birth to Five Number with links
This is the Number strand of Birth to Five Matters, with added links to videos and resources.
Picture books
Lists of books with suggestions for developing Number, Shape, Space, Measures and Pattern (including YouTube links)
Child Indicators of Performance (ChIPs) Assessments: Number and Pattern
Quick, easy and informal ways of assessing children’s understanding
Maths Family Postcards
Prompts for developing children’s maths thinking in everyday activities, in a range of languages, to share with families.
Maths Friendly Spaces
Ideas for developing playful opportunities for maths in indoor and outdoor environments
Key principles: early childhood mathematics pedagogy
How should we help young children learn maths? Here are the key ingredients.
Continuous provision
How 5 to7 year olds can learn maths through activities such as construction and role play
Spatial reasoning
What is it? How do we teach it? The Toolkit includes a learning trajectory with ideas and resources.
Mathematical Moments
Cameos of young children learning maths in a range of contexts (some with videos)
Birth to Five Number with links
This is the Number strand of Birth to Five Matters, with added links to videos and resources.
Maths talks
How to create an environment which encourages children to ‘notice’ and talk mathematically.
Building firm foundations in mathematics
Guidance for different age groups including ideas for activities, games, rhymes and books
Developing mathematical graphics
How do we value children’s mark-making and develop their understanding of standard symbols?

Early childhood mathematics pedagogy: exploration, apprenticeship & making sense