What are the 5 stages of learning numeracy? (2024)

1. Emergent Stage

The journey of learning numeracy begins with the emergent stage. This is where children start to recognize numbers and basic mathematical concepts. They begin to understand the relationship between numbers and quantities, and start to develop a sense of numberness. For instance, they might start to understand that the number “3” represents three apples or three toys. This stage is akin to a toddler recognizing that they have two hands or two feet.

2. Perceptual Stage

In the perceptual stage, children start to perceive numbers and their relationships. They begin to understand the concept of counting and start to recognize patterns. This stage is crucial for developing a strong foundation in numeracy. For example, they might realize that adding one more block to a stack of two blocks makes three blocks.

3. Figurative Stage

The figurative stage is where children start to understand numbers in a more abstract way. They begin to use numbers to represent quantities and start to perform basic operations like addition and subtraction. For instance, they might understand that if they have three candies and their friend gives them two more, they now have five candies.

4. Counting On Stage

In the counting on stage, children start to develop more advanced numerical skills. They begin to understand the concept of ‘counting on’, which involves starting from a number other than one and continuing to count from there. For example, if a child is asked to count how many pencils are in a box and they can see that there are already two pencils, they can start counting from two, saying “three, four, five…” as they count the rest of the pencils.

5. Facile Stage

The final stage, the facile stage, is where children become comfortable with numbers. They develop a deep understanding of numeracy and its related concepts. At this stage, children are able to perform complex mathematical operations and solve problems with ease. For example, they might be able to calculate the total cost of items in a shopping cart or determine how much change they should receive when they pay for something.

Learning numeracy

In addition to these stages, it’s important to note that learning numeracy is not a linear process. Children might move back and forth between stages as they grapple with new concepts and challenges. Moreover, children might be at different stages in different aspects of numeracy. For instance, a child might be at the figurative stage when it comes to understanding quantities but still at the perceptual stage when it comes to understanding spatial relationships.

Furthermore, the learning process is influenced by a variety of factors, including the child’s cognitive development, the teaching methods used, and the child’s exposure to numbers in their daily life. Therefore, it’s important for educators and parents to provide a supportive and stimulating environment that encourages children to explore numbers and their relationships.

The Importance of Numeracy

Numeracy is not just about learning how to count or do basic arithmetic. It’s about understanding the ‘language’ of numbers and being able to use this language to make sense of the world around us. Numeracy skills are used in everyday activities such as shopping, cooking, budgeting, and even in understanding news stories that involve statistics or data.

For example, understanding percentages can help us figure out if we’re getting a good deal during a sale. Knowing how to calculate averages can help us understand weather forecasts. And being able to interpret graphs and charts can help us make sense of information presented in the media.

Nurturing Numeracy

Nurturing numeracy involves more than just teaching children how to count or do math problems. It involves helping them see the relevance of numeracy in their everyday lives and encouraging them to explore and experiment with numbers.

One way to nurture numeracy is through play. Games that involve counting, sorting, or pattern recognition can help children develop their numeracy skills in a fun and engaging way. For example, playing with building blocks can help children understand concepts such as more, less, and equal.

Another way to nurture numeracy is through real-world applications. This could involve using numbers in cooking (e.g. measuring ingredients), in planning a trip (e.g. calculating distances and travel times), or even in sports (e.g. keeping score).

The Role of Parents and Educators

Parents and educators play a crucial role in a child’s numeracy development. They can help children see the relevance of numeracy in their everyday lives and provide them with opportunities to practice their numeracy skills.

For example, parents can involve their children in activities that require numeracy skills, such as cooking, shopping, or planning a trip. They can also encourage their children to play games that involve numeracy skills.

Educators, on the other hand, can provide a structured learning environment where children can explore numeracy concepts and practice their skills. They can use a variety of teaching methods to cater to different learning styles and ensure that all students are able to grasp the concepts being taught.

Conclusion

In conclusion, numeracy is a vital skill that shapes our daily lives. Understanding the stages of numeracy development helps children build strong numeracy skills. Parents and educators play a crucial role in this process, providing real-world applications and opportunities for children to practice these skills. Through effective learning strategies and a supportive environment, we can nurture numeracy and help children make sense of the world around them.