In this book, Craig Barton shares his journey from a traditional teaching approach to one informed by educational research. He discusses various practical strategies such as Supercharged Worked Examples, Silent Teacher, SSDD problems, low-stakes quizzes, diagnostic questions, Purposeful Practice, and self-explanations. Barton emphasizes the importance of understanding how students think and learn, the limitations of short-term memory, and the need for deliberate practice and formative assessments. The book is designed to help maths teachers of all levels reflect on and improve their teaching methods[1][2][4].
This book, first published in French in 1941 under the title 'La Genèse du Nombre chez l'Enfant,' presents a series of experiments conducted by Jean Piaget and his team to investigate the genesis of the notion of number in children's minds. The research is based on the hypothesis that the construction of number is closely related to the development of logic. The experiments focus on children's abilities to grasp concepts such as conservation of quantity and number, coordination of corresponding sets, and the cardinal and ordinal aspects of numbers. Piaget concludes that number is organized in stages, connected with the development of systems of inclusions and asymmetrical relations, leading to an operational synthesis of classification and seriation[1][2][3].
Episode 195: In this episode of Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I sit down with early mathematics specialist, Jo Austen, to explore the significance of early mathematics in shaping a child’s cognitive development and future learning. Jo shares his journey into early mathematics and delves into the key principles that he believes should underpin the teaching of foundational mathematics concepts.
We discuss:
- The inspiration behind Jo’s focus on early maths and its impact on children’s long-term success.
- Essential concepts and principles that should guide early mathematics education.
- How teachers can strike the right balance between fostering conceptual understanding and ensuring procedural fluency.
- The vital role that manipulatives and play-based learning play in helping young children develop strong mathematical foundations.
Whether you're an educator, parent, or simply interested in how young children grasp the big ideas behind small numbers, this episode is packed with valuable insights to enhance your approach to early maths education.
Be sure to listen in and take away practical strategies to implement in your classroom!
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Thinking Deeply about Primary Education 
