Springer Engaging Families as Children's First Mathematics Educators: International Perspectives (Early Mathematics Learning and Development)

This book explores how professionals can engage and inspire parents to support their young children’s mathematics learning. Bringing together international experts, researchers and scholars, it proposes a framework for engaging with and supporting parents, including those who are less aware of the crucial development of children’s mathematical skills in the early years. Focusing on mathematics learning from birth to 5 years, the book’s underlying assumption is that it is possible to offer guidance to professionals working with families with young children concerning how to engage and support families in the area of mathematics learning, including those families who seem alienated from education services. Specifically, the respective chapters present a framework for understanding children’s early mathematical development and the important role of families in this regard. They describe effective strategies for engaging families in their children’s mathematics learning, including those who are marginalised and experience multiple disadvantages, so that all families can best support their children’s mathematical learning and their development of positive attitudes towards learning. In closing, hurdles and opportunities within the systems surrounding family engagement are addressed. Review “This book geminated from an early childhood numeracy project in Australia titled Numeracy@Home. … As a mathematics teacher educator I found this book rich in material that I can use to inform my pre-service teachers’ appreciation of the earliest mathematical experiences of the children they will teach. … the volume should be of interest to mathematics teacher educators. … The book contains many activities and references to common materials and games that can be effortlessly incorporated into daily family activities.” (Katherine Safford-Ramus, MAA Reviews, October, 2017) From the Back Cover This book explores how professionals can engage and inspire parents to support their young children’s mathematics learning. Bringing together international experts, researchers and scholars, it proposes a framework for engaging with and supporting parents, including those who are less aware of the crucial development of children’s mathematical skills in the early years. Focusing on mathematics learning from birth to 5 years, the book’s underlying assumption is that it is possible to offer guidance to professionals working with families with young children concerning how to engage and support families in the area of mathematics learning, including those families who seem alienated from education services. Specifically, the respective chapters present a framework for understanding children’s early mathematical development and the important role of families in this regard. They describe effective strategies for engaging families in their children’s mathematics learning, including those who are marginalised and experience multiple disadvantages, so that all families can best support their children’s mathematical learning and their development of positive attitudes towards learning. In closing, hurdles and opportunities within the systems surrounding family engagement are addressed. About the Author Sivanes Phillipson is Associate Professor of Family Studies at the Faculty of Education, Monash University. Sivanes has diverse  international  experience  and knowledge  base  in  the  broad  field  of  measurements  and systems   approaches   to   families   and   education, with expertise in large data set analysis and modeling. Her current projects include an Australian Research Council funded project on numeracy learning at home and a nation wide survey on family perspectives around educational resources.  Ann Gervasoni is Associate Professor of Numeracy at the Faculty of Education, Monash University in Melbourne. Ann has worked in educational research, teacher education, professional learning and