WIMMERA kindergartens will aim to improve children’s maths skills with a new numeracy program.
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Kindergarten educators in Edenhope, Murtoa, Rupanyup, Warracknabeal, Ararat and Stawell will participate in the Let’s Count training, where they will learn practical tips and get access to best-practice resources to help them develop children’s maths skills.
The program engages families and their children in counting, measuring and identifying patterns.
The program also helps parents and carers introduce maths to children in a fun, simple way that can be incorporated into everyday life.
Ararat Early Learning Centre director and kindergarten teacher Kerri Turner said she was excited to start training for the program.
“We get two training sessions,” she said.
“Module one is next week in Ballarat and module two is about a month later.
“The program is about exploring mathematical concepts in early childhood and we do that through reading books, working with blocks, doing puzzles and singing songs.
“Basically, everyday activities but with a real numeracy focus.”
Ms Turner said the program would last for the 12 months of the kindergarten year and was aimed at four-year-old children.
Yarriambiack Shire community services and development manager Gavin Blinman said three of the shire’s kindergartens would be involved in the numeracy program, which was a great outcome for the region.
“Since 2016, more than 200 early childhood educators have participated in Let’s Count professional learning,” he said.
“The program provides tips and resources to develop children’s mathematics skills and feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Over the next eighteen months, a further 300 early childhood educators across Victoria will be given the opportunity to participate.”
Let’s Count was developed by Charles Sturt University Professor Bob Perry, Monash University Associate Professor Ann Gervasoni and The Smith Family to help children develop skills and a positive attitude towards maths before they start primary school.