Language underpins maths

Never underestimate the prenumber skills that underpin the foundations of maths.

Recognising the ‘same’ and ‘different’ are prenumber skills.  

Recognising subtle differences help us frame important vocabulary that we might need later down the line.  

For example, if a child writes there number ‘5’ the wrong way around we can explain… “It isn’t the same.  Look at it closely.  It is different to mine.  It is the wrong way around.”  Without first teaching the vocabulary of subtle differences ‘wrong way around’ a child has no idea what you are telling them.

So a little challenge to get you thinking….

How can you demonstrate ‘Which one is different?  And why?” using items from everyday life.

We are interested in subtle differences and well as obvious ones.