'The morning session looked at using resources to build maths into storytelling,' she says. 'Jack and the Beanstalk used images of individual beanstalks to encourage counting, and we were also shown how to bring miniature animals, dinosaurs and other objects into stories to boost participation in numeracy.
'In the afternoon, "Maths outdoors" provided a springboard for developing maths across the whole curriculum, and involved outside activities that could be followed up indoors. One of the activities was to weave material in and out of the fence, with the children's help, to create numbers.
'We were also shown how to divide the outdoor area into different zones for various areas such as maths, music and creativity, and match each zone to its own box containing relevant resources. This encourages children to play and work independently and to take responsibility for organisation and packing away.
'Simple ideas such as creating a grid for counting, where children can move counters, have lots of different applications. The course also inspired me to use stand-up plastic boards outside, that can be used to create shape games, and even involve children throwing bean bags at them.
'Even though the course was just a day, I got a lot out of it and it was good to have the opportunity to talk good practice with other practitioners.'
More information
* Course: Mathematics through stories/Maths outdoors
* Course provider: BEAM Education
* Target audience: Early years practitioners and maths co-ordinators
* Content: The morning session explores stories as a starting point for mathematics and links with other curriculum areas in the Foundation Stage.
A mixture of familiar and lesser-known stories is used.
The afternoon session looks at how maths can be taken outside and developed, using and extending the same learning opportunities as indoors.
Planning, management and resourcing are explored.
* More information: Telephone: 0207 684 3324, www.beam.co.uk
