Five books to build positive maths mindsets in Kindy

Stoke the flame of your child’s growing curiosity in maths with these 5 brilliant picture books that encourage exploration, experimentation and learning from mistakes.

Beautiful Oops!

Written and illustrated by Barney Saltzberg

As children get older, they may begin to feel like they have to get everything right the first time they try. Beautiful oops! is a charming interactive picture book that’ll help your young child learn that making a mistake can be an opportunity for adventures in creativity. The ideas in this book can help build a positive mindset towards learning in all subjects, including mathematics.

Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It

Written by JoAnn Deak, PhD and illustrated by Sarah Ackerley

Another excellent picture book for teaching your child that making mistakes can, in fact, be a great thing! Mistakes not only help your child grow their brain, they can be helpful for overcoming fears and helping to build courage – essential ingredients for working like a mathematician.

The Most Magnificent Thing

Written and illustrated by Ashley Spires

An important story about perseverance and how one little girl made the “most magnificent thing” by keeping at it. This thought-provoking picture book will give your child perspective, and is a relevant read for them as young learners who need to develop the skills and confidence to keep trying even in the face of multiple set-backs.

Rosie Revere, Engineer

Written by Andrea Beaty and illustrated by David Roberts

Let Rosie’s story and mission help your child see failure as an important stepping stone towards success. This triumphant book shares an important lesson: You only really fail when you quit. Like some of the most famous mathematicians of all time, you’re in great company when you need to keep persisting to achieve your goals!

How To Catch A Star

Written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

This charming picture book tells the story of a boy who loves stars so much, he wants to catch one for himself! The eye-opening story will challenge the way your child sees the world, offering them a new perspective – which they can apply to the many different problems they find and solve.

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