Learners' Zone

We started the Numeracy Course at Catchgate Primary School on 8th January 2002. Dorothy Massey from the Local Education Centre came into school to teach us. The course was for parents and their children. In the sessions there was six mothers, (fathers and grandparents were also welcome), who all had children in Reception Class. We met every Friday in the school library.

The aim of the course was to show the parents how their children were taught numeracy skills in school. This enables the parents to teach the children at home in a way they understand.

A typical numeracy session started with us discussing with Dorothy what we would be doing with the children in our joint session. We also looked at various aspects of numeracy e.g. problem solving. At around 11.00am the children would join us for about an hour. Together we made something that will help the children with their numeracy skills e.g. a clock out of cardboard. We would also sometimes play games with the children, which helped them with counting. On an afternoon we would look at things to do with numeracy.

Things we have looked at are basic adding and subtracting, multiplication, division and problem solving. We also looked at how numbers can be written in word form and digit form.

As well as helping parents to teach their children numeracy, this course was a good way for parents to get to know each other and work together for their children and was also a good way for the parents to brush up on their numeracy skills. The children enjoyed having their parents in school and working with them. On the whole, the numeracy course was beneficial for both children and parents alike.