Numbers In Play | Phoenix Support For Educators


Numbers In Play


Exploring mathematics with children can be fun!


Mathematics can be a confronting topic for many educators to attempt in their teaching with young children. The stereotypes of structured and rote learning can discourage educators from attempting to weave numeracy into their everyday programs for fear of falling into those traps. So how do we incorporate numeracy in our programs with children in a way that is successful, based in educational research and theory, in line with the approved frameworks – and above all fun? 

Together, let’s embark on a journey tailored for early childhood teachers and educators, focusing on the intricate ways young learners engage in thinking and responding through early mathematical explorations. This program dives deep into the cognitive processes pivotal to building foundations for mathematical understanding in the early years.  

Through this program, educators will gain invaluable insights into fostering children’s thinking processes and the diverse ways in which children demonstrate their understanding to support and build on early pre-numeracy skills.  

We will delve together into the intrinsic link between early mathematical exploration and children’s language and communication as children seek to understand, listen and make meaning through their learning journey.  

Seek real-world, tangible ideas, inspiration and understanding to support all children to find Numbers in Play and support them to build the own foundations for Mathematical Mastery. 

This workshop will cover the following topics:

Children’s Development and the Impact on Mathematical Understandings

            This topic covers theoretical underpinnings and their impact on children’s cognitive development. We explore concepts such as children’s physical, social and logical-mathematic knowledge. Full of helpful strategies to support each child’s development and form an understanding of cognitive theory. Educators will gain invaluable insights into fostering children’s thinking processes and the diverse ways in which children demonstrate their understandings. 

Precursor Mathematical Concepts​​

            Exploration and unpacking of what Precursor Mathematical Concepts may be, how they impact children and real-world examples of how to support the development of each concept for children. This is chock full of inspiration, ideas and discussions to support a variety of educational programs for children. 

Seeking Maths in Project and Inquiry Based Learning

            Together we are guided through the implementation of project based and inquiry based teaching and learning processes. Examples and samples of learning provide the basis for shared exploration and discussion on how to support mathematical understandings in a way that is intrinsically interwoven into educational spaces, projects, inquiries  and intentional teaching processes. 

The Literacy/Numeracy connection. The Role of Language in Mathematics

            Understand the intrinsic link between early mathematical exploration and children’s language and communication as children seek to understand, listen and make meaning through their learning journey. Join us as we explore current research and theory into this connection to support multi-disciplinary explorations to support holistic learning and development for children. 

Schematic Play and its Role in Mathematics for Children

            This topic explores the concept of schematic play and looks at how to encourage exploration of various schemas and how to find the maths within children’s play and understandings. Build a common language and excite and inspire your team to try something new! 

Maths in the Emotional Spectrum

            Mathematics can produce a range of emotions for many adults as well as children. This topic explores the teaching process for mathematics in a way that actively considers, plans for, and supports children’s emotional development, emotional wellbeing and sense of self. Using the Phoenix Cups framework, we cupify our thoughts on this and explore how to embed mathematical understandings in a way that support a life-long love of learning and numbers. 

Participant Outcomes:

This workshop will spark a passion for embedding mathematics in your practice! By the end, you will… 

  • Be confident to include precursor mathematical concepts into your educational program and practice. 
  • Be excited to provide a numeracy-rich environment that supports children’s play. 
  • Have a deeper understanding about children’s development around logical-mathematical understandings. 
  • Gain knowledge and inspiration for embedding numbers, numeracy and mathematics into engaging learning experiences and environments. 
  • Developed insight into the literacy/numeracy connection and be equipped with multi-disciplinary strategies. 
  • Be inspired and feel supported to consider and explore mathematics on an emotional spectrum. 

Activities Include:

  • Identifying challenges 
  • Workshopping of ideas 
  • Exploration of physical and social knowledge 
  • Identifying maths and communication in verbal and non-verbal communication 
  • Noticing and identifying patterns 
  • Brainstorming of environmental strategies 
  • Tools for critical reflection 

Online course option:

Prefer to engage in this training from the comfort of your own home? We get it!


That's why we created the self-paced online course, with video content and downloadable workbooks.

​​​​Find Out More

Get in touch with us today to get a quote for this thought-inspiring workshop!