ITV recently dedicated their Tonight show to the issue of poor numeracy in this country and the BBC is getting in on the action with a series of Maths of the Day programs to be broadcast over the coming weeks. That comes on top of research collected by National Numeracy showing an incredible 17 million adults, that’s half the working population, have the numeracy ability of an 11 year old despite the proven links between good numeracy and job prospects. If you’re gifted with a strong constitution then check out their website for all the gory details and you’ll be left wondering how it got so bad.
The big question is how do we fix it and make sure the next generations don’t suffer the same lack of confidence with numbers. The government has changed the maths curriculum, encouraged maths hubs across the country and even organised an exchange programme with teachers in the Far East. That’s all very positive, but could the real answers be closer to home?
We strongly believe anyone and everyone can be good at maths, but it’s a matter of confidence and attitude. Being prepared to have a go, not worrying about getting it wrong but having the courage to keep coming back and keep challenging yourself. So here are a few suggestions to build your confidence with numbers over the Christmas period:
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Play board games: The beauty of board games is they encourage face to face time together, which is becoming all too rare in the modern world. Plus, they’re a great way for parents to get involved with their children’s development which is proven to lead to better outcomes. PLYT is a great family maths game that is designed for all abilities and ages from 4+. It’s supported by independent research and has been endorsed by leading maths consultants and National Numeracy as one of the most effective family games available. Rummikub is another great numbers game, which is ideal for understanding number patterns and sequences. Along a similar vein, there’s no end of possibilities with a pack of cards. Let the Games Begin!
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Play electronic maths games: Electronic games are often single player activities, which can sometimes make them feel a bit like an extension of school, but they’re brilliant at providing instant feedback and allowing you to progress through various stages of difficulty. There are hundreds of options to choose from, although it can be a struggle to find games that work for both children and adults. There’s a mix of free games on sites such as coolmath-games and then the more academic based subscription services of mymaths and mathletics. Either way I’m sure you can find something that works for you.
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Number puzzles: Sudoku has been played by over half a billion people since it was launched over 30 years ago. There are lots of different puzzles built around the same theme in newspapers, magazines and puzzle books that vary in difficulty from very easy to extreme difficulty. The puzzles help improve logic and the ability to think through sequences with numbers.
Numeracy is a life skill that we all need and use every single day. Whether we’re telling the time, planning our day, buying from the supermarket or checking out the best deals: it’s all numeracy. When I was young the mantra was rote learning, which often felt like a chore. But practicing doesn’t have to be that way. So as we approach Christmas, what better time to have a go – and you might just surprise yourself with how much you can achieve.
If there are any more ideas you think we should include, please let us know and we’ll take a look and then add them to the list
To find out more about PLYT, please click here
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