'Maths for mums and dads'

review by Liz Woodham

Issue 54
March 2010
book cover

Maths for mums and dads

by Rob Eastaway and Mike Askew


The book is written for parents of primary-aged children. It aims to "re-engage" them with mathematics, to gain a greater understanding of the way mathematics is now taught, and to encourage them to inject some enjoyment into mathematics at home. The contents and structure are well thought-out, beginning with a discussion of four big questions that parents often ask:

  • Why do they do it differently these days?
  • How can I overcome my own fear of maths?
  • How can I get my child to enjoy maths and be better at it than I was?
  • Why do they (or I) need to know this?
There is a list of handy items to have around the house, which are invaluable props during mathematical conversations (such as an analogue clock, a digital clock, a pack of playing cards and a family-sized bar of chocolate) and a glossary of mathematical words. The authors also summarise the main ideas that children will encounter during each year of primary school.

The body of the book addresses mathematical topics in turn, from the number system to calculation, fractions, shape, measuring, and finally to data handling. Also included is a chapter on the use of calculators and one on mathematical ideas just beyond the primary curriculum. The authors offer explanations and discussions of the concepts and methods in a straightforward style, laced with humour. Examples are clear and difficulties are not glossed over, rather children's common misconceptions are made explicit. Opportunities are given for the reader to test their own understanding with answers to the questions given at the back. In addition to helping parents understand the mathematics themselves, the book is full of games and other activities to try with their children. Sausage fractions, anyone? String Venn diagrams? Polygon I-spy? These ideas are invaluable. They give parents a way of encouraging mathematical talk in engaging and non-threatening ways at home.

Following a section which gives a flavour of the questions our eleven year-olds currently face in SATs, the book concludes with a list of dos and don'ts. The latter consists of just two items:

  • Don't expect children to "get it" after you've explained it once;
  • Don't tell them you're hopeless at maths.

How good to be reminded of these two powerful pieces of advice.

Reading this book felt like being in conversation with the authors, rather than being poured full of information. I can imagine it being on the shelf in the kitchen and being pulled down from time to time. It would get well thumbed — perhaps there would be splashes of pasta sauce on some pages and other pages may be turned down at the corners to make it easier to find them.

Just one last thing — please do not judge this book by its cover, which in my opinion conveys some stereotypical messages about school mathematics. Once you begin to read however, you will realise that primary mathematics can be creative, empowering and enjoyable — definitely something you will want to do with your children.

Book details:
Maths for mums and dads
Rob Eastaway, Mike Askew
hardback — 368 pages (2010)
Square Peg
ISBN: 978-0224086356

About this article

Liz Woodham is the NRICH Primary Coordinator, which involves working as part of a team to develop primary-level materials for the NRICH website and to run associated teacher professional development. Liz is a member of the joint MA ATM primary subcommittee and is on ATM General Council.