Maths helps children make sense of the numbers, patterns and shapes they see in the world around them, offers ways of handling data in an increasingly digital world and makes a crucial contribution to their development as rounded individuals.
Children delight in using mathematics to solve a problem, especially when it leads them to an unexpected discovery. Mathematics introduces children to concepts, skills and thinking strategies that are essential in everyday life and support learning across the curriculum. As their confidence grows, they look for patterns, use logical reasoning, suggest solutions and try out different approaches to problems.
Mathematics offers children a powerful way of communicating. They learn to explore and explain their ideas using symbols, diagrams, and spoken and written language. They start to discover how mathematics has developed over time and contributes to our economy, society and culture. Studying mathematics stimulates curiosity, fosters creativity and equips children with the skills they need in life beyond school.
Children should build secure knowledge of the following:
a. the range of ways mathematics can be used to solve practical problems, model situations, make sense of data and inform decision making
b. different types of numbers and what they represent
c. how numbers can be used for measurement, quantification and comparison and applied in different contexts
d. how to use geometry to explore, understand and represent shape and space
e. how likelihood and risk can be understood, quantified and used in everyday life
Financial Literacy:
Financial Literacy is essential if individuals are to participate fully in life and is integral to the stability of society. Knowledge, skills and confidence in financial Literacy will enable students to ask the right questions to make well informed decisions that have both personal and societal consequences. Students need the skills and qualities required to engage in enterprise to enable them to recognise and act on financial opportunities.
“Without an understanding of basic financial concepts, people are not well equipped to make decisions related to financial management. People who are financially literate have the ability to make informed financial choices regarding saving, investing, borrowing, and more”.
(Financial Literacy Around the world: Insights from the standard & poor’s ratings services global financial literacy survey)
Learners should build secure knowledge of the following:
- Financial understanding and competence
- Financial responsibility
- Financial enterprise