TTS Talking Early Years Episode 16 | Oracy Strategies for Supporting Differentiation in Maths with Rob Jennings
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Oct 2, 2025 Rob Jennings, co-founder of the Dyscalculia Network and expert in maths difficulties, joins Dr. Shaddai Tembo to discuss dyscalculia and its impact on learning. They highlight the importance of early intervention and provide a checklist for spotting signs of dyscalculia. Rob argues against repetitive maths practice without addressing foundational skills and advocates for multimodal approaches using concrete resources. He envisions a future with greater awareness and relevance in maths education that aligns with real-life applications.
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Start With A Simple Checklist
- Use a simple checklist to spot maths difficulties early and build an evidence profile.
- Download and complete the free Dyscalculia Network checklist to focus assessment and interventions.
Assess Foundations Before Intervention
- Assess foundational number skills, not just surface errors, to find the missing 'bricks'.
- Target interventions at root causes (e.g., multiplication/division) rather than repeating higher-level practice.
Maths Needs Alternative Pathways
- Maths lacks an established alternative learning path unlike literacy, so repetition alone often fails struggling learners.
- Without foundational bricks, more practice can deepen misunderstanding rather than fix it.