Children learn to make maths fun for NSPCC event

It's hoped the day will encourage kids to get number confident

Year 4 - Cabot Primary School, Bristol
Author: Jess Payne

Children across the South West are dressing up and playing games for the NSPCC's Number Day.

The fundraising events are held in primary schools to encourage kids to get excited about numeracy and raise money for the children's charity.

"It's one of our flagship days for fundraising, where people can get involved and have lots of fun with numbers," said NSPCC's Tara Wright.

Tara Wright, NSPCC

"We have lots of pupils all dressed up wearing different numbers on them.

"It's very important that everybody has that ability to get involved with using numbers - I think it's really important children have fun when they're learning and then they learn better."

It's hoped themed days like this will ignite a passion for numbers, something Bernard Manson from the charity Number Champions believes is crucial for development.

"Some children, their parents will play games that involve numbers and they're very used to numbers outside the classroom but other children will just not have these conversations at home and the only place they'll see numbers is in the schoolroom," Bernard said.

Number Champions work in state primary schools to help give number confidence to children who are struggling to get to grips with maths.

They run 1-1 tutoring classes to improve mathematical literacy skills and the majority of children they help are from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"Lot's of adults don't have good maths," he said, "but the time to fix it is with young children - all the research says fix it when the child is young.

"Without confidence in maths, you will get ripped off wherever you go, you won't get paid the right amount, you'll get charged too much for your mortgage and all sorts.

"We all shop, cook, follow sports, do the wallpapering, do things that need numbers.

"To get children interested, you need to make them feel that the real world is based on numbers and concentrate on the fun part but then bring in the useful part."

One of the schools taking part is Cabot Primary in Bristol.

Year 4

Inclusion Leader Nicola Redwood said: “Fostering a love of this vital subject from a young age has lifelong benefits, not just within a chosen career but in everyday life.

"Our philosophy is that happy learners make successful learners so these Number Day activities, in addition to Dressing up for Digits, will go a long way to achieving this.”

Dozens of schools across the South West will take part in Number Day to help raise funds for the NSPCC and ensure the charity can provide services such as its schools programme Speak out Stay Safe.

This sees volunteers deliver workshops to help children recognise the signs of abuse and know where to get help if they are worried about anything.

Last year the NSPCC’s Speak out Stay safe programme reached 12,738 children from 45 schools across the Bristol area.

If you want to help your child with their maths work, Number Champions have compiled a useful glossary for parents.

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