Teach Me Too: Using Numicon to Support the Learning of Early Maths Concepts

Written by our guest author, Louise Pennington: Professional Development Lead at Oxford University Press

As an educator and previous specialist teacher for maths difficulties, I am always eager to see the work of organisations in the Special Needs and Disabilities sector. Learn and Thrive are big advocates for Numicon, the use of the manipulatives, and the implementation of the Numicon approach in the teaching and learning of maths. When the chance arose to review their new maths videos on the Teach Me Too website, I was keen to see what they had made.

The first three videos in the series – ‘Introduction’, ‘How many?’ and ‘I can Count’ – showcase Numicon shapes (or plates) and how they can be used in engaging maths activities. The videos are introduced by Lucy, a Specialist Teacher, and they are perfect in pitch and length to engage young children. They really remind me of a certain high quality, inclusive children’s TV programme that I watched and engaged with when my own twins were small!

As Lucy says in the introductory video, there are some key points to understand about Numicon and the educational thinking (or pedagogy) behind it. Numicon can be used to support learning from Pre-School to Year 6 and beyond. It makes numbers and their relationships visible – therefore supporting progress within the Early Years and Primary Maths curriculum by making abstract concepts appear concrete.

The videos very clearly demonstrate every element of the Numicon approach whether or not the shapes are being used. They are lovely examples of clear and concise teaching as they utilise appropriate models and images, and never miss an opportunity to generalise learning. As John Mason says, "a Maths lesson without the opportunity to generalise is not a Maths lesson”.

How Many?

In this video, Lucy introduces the number line. She displays Numicon shapes alongside numerals and number names, and then covers the number line – asking the viewer to recall what is hidden. This technique builds a conceptual understanding of numbers, and is an excellent demonstration of Numicon’s concrete, pictorial and abstract (CPA) approach to the teaching and learning of maths.

This commitment to deeper understanding is furthered through the clever variation of models and images that Lucy uses, and the unordered completion of the number line. These features help to build familiarity with number names and representation as the child has to manipulate what they know rather than just recall.

Lucy uses language – including mathematical vocabulary – in an exacting manner. The number rhyme at the end of the video helps to build familiarity by re-engaging the child in an active activity. Lucy demonstrates the rhyme so well that families will feel confident enough to repeat this on their own, or will want to rewatch the video again (and again!). Number song and rhymes have been proven to develop phonics and speech sounds alongside maths skills too – a huge bonus!

I Can Count

This video has all the valuable pedagogical features of ‘How Many?’ as Lucy uses clear, sign-supported mathematical language and instructions, as well as appropriate models and images. The video begins with a reminder of the number line constructed in the last video. This time, the relevant Numicon shapes flash up on the screen as Lucy draws the viewer’s attention to each number.

The new activity focus in this video is building the Numicon patterns one to five. Numicon shapes provide a fixed image of a number as they cannot be broken up into smaller pieces such as ones. This means that you can build the patterns of the Numicon shapes in many ways – such as squashing pegs into playdough, as done in this video. Having children become more familiar with the patterns of numbers helps strengthen their understanding of number properties, and builds the foundations for calculation.

This video finishes with a story – the Very Hungry Caterpillar – which reinforces the learning in this session. This was an excellent idea as maths-focused stories provide a meaningful context and help show children that maths is part of every-day life.

These videos are very engaging and provide carefully constructed opportunities for children to join in with fun maths activities time and time again.