Understanding Mathematics in the Lower Primary Years

`There have been few mathematical texts which cause readers to smile, but one of the great strengths of this book is the consistent good humour. Hiding in the explanations of more abstract concepts are unexpected images, such as the "two thousand sets of zero elephants placed inside these brackets [ ]", which surprise and entertain, and so render difficult ideas memorable′ - Mathematics Education Review

This is a substantially revised and expanded edition of the authors′ earlier book, Understanding Early Years Mathematics. It is written for teachers and student-teachers working with children aged four to eight year olds. It provides them with a clearer understanding of the mathematical material they deal with in the classroom.

To develop this understanding, the book examines fundamental mathematical ideas such as number and number-operations, division, transformation and equivalence, comparison and measurement, pattern and generalizations and concepts associated with shape and space. Particular attention is given to the use of symbols in mathematics and the importance of networks of connections between symbols, concrete experience, language and pictures.

Derek Haylock is an education writer, with an extensive list of publications in the field of mathematics education. He worked for over 30 years in teacher education, both initial and in-service, and was Co-Director of Primary Initial Teacher Training and responsible for the mathematics components of the primary programmes at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich. He has considerable practical experience of teaching and researching in primary classrooms. His work in mathematics education has taken him to Germany, Belgium, Lesotho, Kenya, Brunei, India and Sweden. As well as his publications in the field of education, he has written seven books of Christian drama for young people and a Christmas musical (published by Church House/National Society). For 15 years after his time at UEA, he was in great demand as a consultant and professional speaker. His work as a writer continues.

Anne D. Cockburn is a Professor Emeritus in Early Years Education at the University of East Anglia (UEA). She was educated in Edinburgh before reading Psychology at the University of St Andrews. Subsequently, she trained to be a primary teacher and taught in Scotland. In 1979, she became a Research Fellow at the University of Lancaster, working with Neville Bennett and Charles Desforges. Her PhD was completed in 1986 at the UEA. Following a period of working as a researcher, she took up her first lectureship at UEA in 1989. She became an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society in 1994. Initially Anne′s teaching focused on pre-service teacher education (BA and PGCE), gradually extending to in-service courses (BPhil and MA) and research (PhD and EdD). Throughout, she continued with her own research, with many of the catalysts for her investigations stemming from the needs and interests of professional practitioners and those with whom they work. More recently, she also started working with MA counselling students. Anne has examined doctoral theses, undergraduate and postgraduate courses at universities across the United Kingdom, Australia and Norway. She was a member of the Economic and Social Research Council Board of Examiners for studentships (2002–2005).