“Being and Becoming Mathematicians Through Play”
New book written by the children from The Cottage Kids Playschool in Tyrellstown, Lusk presented to Minister for Education today, to coincide with Maths Week and very timely for Budget Week too This being Maths Week and coinciding with Budget Week, the children from Cottage Kids Playschool in Tyrellstown, Lusk presented their book 
According to Early Childhood Ireland, co-authors and publishers, “This book is exceptional in that it has been written by the children for parents, highlighting the children’s knowledge and thinking about everyday maths as a language that helps us communicate.” The book is available on www.earlychildhoodireland.ie for €20 (€15 for members of Early Childhood Ireland). Meeting the children, the Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan said today, “I want to congratulate Mandy and the children from Cottage Kids Playschool for writing this book, along with Early Childhood Ireland. This is a timely reminder for both parents and politicians about the benefit of early years’ education and the rich play curriculum which unlocks children’s curiosity and understanding of the world around them. The best learning can be fun and playful, but the lessons learnt through this maths lens will have long term and very positive benefits for the children at the centre of this curriculum. I hope this is a best seller and we all have something to learn from it.”
According to Dr. Carmel Brennan who has written the introduction to the book, “It looks at children’s play with a ‘maths’ lens, making visible the wonderfully enjoyable and rich process of young children being and becoming mathematicians through play. It is wonderfully illustrated with children experiencing and exploring the world around them and developing a genuine understanding of maths in their bodies, hearts and minds. They are ably helped by dedicated educators who encourage, support and extend their learning as they play together. Roles are reversed as parents become the learners and children become the teachers. At the same time, the book is a resource to other educators – they can see the maths learning that is made possible in everyday play opportunities in early childhood settings.”
Further information:
Dr. Carmel Brennan,
Early Childhood Ireland represents over 3,500 childcare professional members who support over 100,000 children and their families through preschool, afterschool and full daycare provision nationwide. Its work includes quality enhancement, publications, advocacy, training, business support and information for a sector that employs 25,000 people today.
