Unit 3.6 3.1 How to create an environment which supports children’s mathematical development

[Jesslane1992]

A supportive environment is one which makes children think about and explore mathematical concepts and one which values their ideas.

When considering a suitable environment it must relate to the requirements of the EYFS and Key Stage 1 curriculum.

EYFS – The 2 areas covered are numbers and shape/space/ measure.

National Curriculum Key Stage 1 – The areas covered are number, geometry and measurement.

Write two paragraphs. One for EYFS and one for Key Stage 1.
In your paragraph for EYFS, you need to explain how your setting creates an environment to cover numbers and shape/space/measure. Also explain how schools would cover the set mathematical areas.

please can someone help me this is the last question and I am so stuck

[Ruthierhyme]

Hi, this is covered on page 244 of the EYE handbook.

Where is explains that you will need to know how to create an environment that supports children's mathematical development.

'A supportive environment is one which prompts children to think about and explore mathematical concepts, and one which values their contributions and ideas. In a classroom or early years environment this may take the form of a specific area of the setting which is dedicated to maths activities and resources. It should relate to current frameworks, which means that it should reflect c the concepts explored in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 curriculum.

EYFS – The 2 areas covered are numbers and shape/space/ measure.

What activities & resources are offered in your setting to cover shape space and measure?

A Maths area?
Cooking activities weighing ingredients?
Jigsaws and other shape matching toys?
Sand and water with cups and jusgs to fill and empty?

P.244 National Curriculum Key Stage 1 – The areas covered are number, geometry and measurement.

In a typical maths area of the learning environment, there might be resources for different topics - for example, time, weight, shape, space, ca[acity, length, pattern and sequencing, as well as number. Children should be able to access the resources and they should be clearly labelled. Depending on the topic, displays might focus on a particular area - for example, if telling stories to do with maths, you may choose to have a wall display for Goldilocks and the three bears, including bowls, chairs, beds of different sizes and also the vocabulary on the wall to support the area of study that children are exploring. An early years environment may also have a maths area in the outdoor classroom, giving children opportunities to work on open-ended practical activities outdoors.


Hope this helps a little xx