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Library scheme boosts numeracy for under-fives

A numeracy programme for pre-school children as young as one is being launched in libraries across 20 local authorities in England and Scotland.

The Count Me In 123 project, sponsored by Yorkshire Bank, aims to help children develop numeracy skills before they start school.

Participating children aged from one to five are given bags containing picture books, rhymes, counting activities and interactive games they can do at home.

Dr Christine Merrell, acting primary director at the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring at Durham University, which tracks the educational progress of children, said that the Count Me In 123 materials 'are just the kind of activities that lead to literacy and numeracy development that is important for the start of school'.

Dr Merrell said, 'Research has shown that if children are encouraged to rhyme, count a few objects and understand simple mathematical concepts such as "longest" and "shortest" before they start school, they are more likely to succeed with reading and mathematics in later years.

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