Let's Count program a boost to skills

An innovative early numeracy program, Let's Count, has significantly boosted the mathematical skills of disadvantaged children in the Pilbara, a report released by the Smith Family last week says.

The Smith Family's Let's Count program gives young children aged 3-5 early exposure to mathematics, including counting, measurement, patterns and spatial awareness.

The program was launched in the Pilbara five years ago to tackle numeracy problems in disadvantaged communities.

The results of a three-year evaluation have shown 54 per cent of children who participated were able to count to 20 by the end of the program, compared to 37 per cent of children of the same age who were not involved in Let's Count.

The report also showed parents and early childhood educators who participated were more able and confident to support the mathematical learning of their children.

The Smith Family WA general manager Lorna Woodley said the results showed how we could improve disadvantaged children's mathematical skills and help set them up for success at school.

"Numeracy is a critical skill for everyday activities like budgeting, taking medication and cooking," she said.

"It's also a key skill for employment.

"Having proven the effectiveness of Let's Count, there is now great scope to expand the program to support many more children across Australia."

Over the last five years, The Smith Family have trained 39 educators and approximately 585 parents and carers to teach the Let's Count program across the Pilbara.

Smith Family Pilbara team leader Daphne Trevursa said in the past the region had lagged when it came to numeracy but the Let's Count program had helped turn that around.

"I love seeing the light go on in the educators when they realise that they can explore everyday opportunities for incorporating maths," she said.

"It's great to see the educators then become passionate about showing families how to do the same with their own children."

The Let's Count program was developed by The Smith Family with Professor Bob Perry and Associate Professor Ann Gervasoni and funded by the Origin Foundation.

For information on the program, visit http://www.thesmithfamily.com.au.