All children require mathematical understanding to access as full a life as possible. This practical book explores the curriculum required to accommodate the various difficulties faced by children with severe and profound learning difficulties. It describes how children's mathematical thinking first develops and how it can be nurtured to ensure real understanding and support essential life skills. Chapters explore key concepts including: quantity recognition and counting sequence and measurement comparisons space and shape time monetary value. Mindful of the diverse challenges faced by teachers and pupils, the book explains the neurological and pedagogical theories that underpin the development of early mathematical thinking. It considers how mathematical skills that will best support children's everyday functioning can be developed. Practical ideas and activities for application in the classroom are further supported by illustrative diagrams, case studies and detailed online reading to deepen teachers' understanding and confidence when working with pupils. An essential and inspiring guide for teachers, special educational needs coordinators, teaching assistants, and parents, this text proves that with the appropriate strategies, each child is able to develop the mathematical skills essential to everyday living.

Of all the curriculum subjects, mathematics can sometimes cause the most concern for teachers of children with severe and profound learning difficulties. This work: offers practical advice on how to develop the mathematical abilities of these children; explains how children develop early mathemetical concepts; describes the foundation elements of teaching mathematics that the National Curriculum and National Numeracy Strategy does not cover in detail; provides help on planning appropriate lessons and guidance on including pupils within the approaches of the National Numeracy Strategy; and gives guidance on creating a continuum of assessment and recording that can cover the wide range of abilities of pupils in special schools, and can support individual target setting.;The book covers a wide range of approaches to teaching and learning and demonstrates how mathematics can be related to personal and social development, communication and thinking skills. Written with the non-specialist in mind and including plenty of practical examples, it should be useful for teachers in mainstream and special schools, as well as learning support assistants. Early years practitioners and teachers in

The book will covers a wide range of approaches to teaching and learning and demonstrates how mathematics can be related to personal and social development, communication and thinking skills. Written with the non-specialist in mind and including plenty of practical examples, it will make useful reading for teachers in mainstream and special schools, and learning support assistants. Early years practitioners and teachers in training may find the book useful for its descriptions of how children acquire their foundation of early mathematics and numeracy skills.

All children require mathematical understanding to access as full a life as possible. This practical book explores the curriculum required to accommodate the various difficulties faced by children with severe and profound learning difficulties. It describes how children's mathematical thinking first develops and how it can be nurtured to ensure real understanding and support essential life skills. Chapters explore key concepts including: quantity recognition and counting sequence and measurement comparisons space and shape time monetary value. Mindful of the diverse challenges faced by teachers and pupils, the book explains the neurological and pedagogical theories that underpin the development of early mathematical thinking. It considers how mathematical skills that will best support children's everyday functioning can be developed. Practical ideas and activities for application in the classroom are further supported by illustrative diagrams, case studies and detailed online reading to deepen teachers' understanding and confidence when working with pupils. An essential and inspiring guide for teachers, special educational needs coordinators, teaching assistants, and parents, this text proves that with the appropriate strategies, each child is able to develop the mathematical skills essential to everyday living.