Embodied Learning in Early Mathematics
Learn about conceptual body movement, gesture, tracing and drawing to explore and represent mathematical ideas in the early years.
Embodied Learning in Early Mathematics professional learning guides teachers on incorporating embodied learning principles into their practices to enhance students' engagement and understanding of mathematical concepts.
This online and on-demand course has been developed with leading mathematics education academics from the University of Sydney, Associate Professor Jennifer Way and Dr Katherin Cartwright. It applies embodied cognition theory and draws on the findings from the NSW Embodied Learning in Early Mathematics and Science (ELEMS) project.
Register for Embodied Learning in Early Mathematics (staff only)
Who should attend?
This professional learning can be completed by:
- preschool or Kindergarten to Year 2 teachers or leaders interested in enhancing their understanding of embodied learning opportunities in mathematics
- Assistant Principals, Curriculum and Instruction (AP, C&Is)
- specialist support teachers
- graduate teachers with a specialisation in mathematics.
You may complete this professional learning individually or together as a team.
Learning together is usually more impactful than learning alone. However, it's not always possible for schools. In other courses, participants have included:
- individual teachers who have used their RFF because they wanted to learn more about mathematics
leaders who have participated in the learning along with a stage team
whole school teams who learnt together, using staff development days and professional learning meetings
teachers who have formed small communities of learners with colleagues in different schools and have learnt online together
creating online learning spaces to discuss the course and what they’re doing in their classrooms.
Professional learning overview
This professional learning opportunity aims to:
deepen understanding of embodied learning principles in mathematics and how it strengthens understanding and builds memory
demonstrate how deliberate use of embodied modes to explore and represent mathematical ideas enhances learning opportunities for children
showcase examples of classroom practice and activities that embed embodied learning principles
build teachers’ confidence in integrating embodied learning into existing practices by using body movement, gesture and tracing, and mathematical drawing
explore evidence-based mathematical pedagogies and research, highlighting opportunities to embed practices within mathematics programs and lessons
demonstrate links between curriculum and embodied learning pedagogy for early years mathematics
support teachers by providing a comprehensive teaching guide of activities, created and trialled in collaboration with ELEMS research schools
provide opportunities to work collaboratively within and across school communities.
Syllabus implementation
This course supports preschools and schools by providing opportunities to deeply explore embodied learning principles and their direct links to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 content from the NSW Mathematics syllabus.
EYLF learning outcomes 4 and 5 support young children in becoming confident, involved learners and effective communicators, enabling them to extend and enrich their mathematical understanding.
Integrating the working mathematically outcome from the NSW Mathematics syllabus across all areas of mathematics is essential to developing students’ understanding of mathematical concepts.
This course highlights opportunities to embed the working mathematically processes and EYLF outcomes by encouraging students to communicate their thinking and reasoning coherently and clearly through a variety of ways, such as in written, oral, graphical or symbolic form, through body movements, gestures or signing.
Course commitments
This online, on-demand course involves 6 self-paced components, each taking approximately 60–90 minutes to complete. This includes:
six self-paced modules that unlock sequentially upon completion of the previous module
opportunities to discuss ideas, reflect and respond throughout each module
a comprehensive teaching guide providing example activities across Preschool, Early Stage 1 and Stage 1, linking four focus areas from the syllabus and outcomes from the EYLF to the embodied modes.
- Module 1 – Introduction to Embodied Learning
- Module 2 – Conceptual body movement
- Module 3 – Gesture and tracing
- Module 4 – Mathematical drawing
- Module 5 – Teaching guide
- Module 6 – Connecting embodied modes
Register
Registration for Embodied Learning in Early Mathematics (staff only) is open for NSW Department of Education teachers and school leaders.
You should consider the time commitment and discuss this learning opportunity with your principal to get their approval to participate. There is no cost associated with this professional learning. However, if casual relief is used, the school must cover that.
Each person taking part in the learning must register. You can complete the registration individually, or one colleague can register each participant in your school team. You will receive an email with access information for the professional learning within 2 days after registering.
Contact
Contact the Primary Curriculum Mathematics team at mathematicsk6@det.nsw.edu.au for further information.