Maths Through Picture Books

Calling all Reception classes in London, Southeast and East of England!

Do you want to join an exciting programme that supports the mathematical development of children in Reception?

Maths Through Picture Books is an innovative targeted intervention unlike any other.

The approach uses the power of back-and-forth interactions using specially chosen picture books to promote conversations about maths.

Overview

East London Research School is partnering with the Education Endowment Foundation and IFF Research to evaluate Maths Through Picture Books. The programme aims to equip Reception teachers and teaching assistants with the skills and knowledge to deliver a small group session (out of class) for children who do not yet have a secure grasp of foundational number skills and concepts, using shared book reading.

The trial will assess the impact of Maths Through Picture Books on children’s early number attainment and the impact of professional development on educator’s early maths beliefs, confidence, knowledge and levels of maths anxiety.

This is an exciting opportunity for your school to take part in the evaluation of a promising approach designed to improve children’s mathematical development.

What does Maths Through Picture Books involve?

Maths Through Picture Books is a 10-week programme for a targeted group of 5 Reception children who need additional support to develop a secure understanding of numbers. The EEF Improving Mathematics in the Early Years and KS1 guidance report highlights evidence that picture books can be particularly effective for teaching mathematics. When used well, they offer meaningful and engaging contexts for exploring mathematical concepts; however, their impact depends largely on how the books are shared and discussed with children.

The programme trains Reception teachers and teaching assistants (TAs) to use shared book reading to actively engage children and promote sustained, high-quality conversations about mathematical ideas using carefully selected picture books.

TAs – supported by teachers – deliver small-group, maths-focused shared reading sessions twice a week for 10 weeks. Each 15-minute session aims to:

develop children’s secure understanding of numbers.
increase children’s enjoyment of and motivation towards maths.

For schools randomly assigned to implement the programme, it will run from February to May 2027. Participants will have access to online resources and telephone support from an expert mentor. Training includes a blend of face-to-face and online sessions, with the Reception teacher and TA attending 2 days in-person training and 1 hour long online module. The TA additionally attends 3 forty-five-minute network meetings and 3 one-hour sessions with their mentor. This will equip teachers and TAs with:

Improved understanding of how children learn about numbers.
The knowledge and skills to use picture books interactively using specific elements of ‘The ShREC approach’, which promotes conversational responsiveness.
The knowledge and skills to engage a small group of children in sustained multi-turn conversations about numbers using picture books.

Training will begin in February 2027, with the programme delivered through to May 2027.

To participate, schools must meet the following criteria:

Be a state-funded mainstream primary school.
Be willing to select 6 pupils likely to benefit from the programme from each Reception
Be in the Southeast or East of England and within travelling distance of in-person training in London or Cambridge.
Not be taking part in any other Reception EEF projects in the same time period

Click on the link to register interest and we will call you to discuss eligibility and next steps.

If you have any questions about the programme, please call us on 02085532479or email at MTPB_delivery@sheringham-nur.newham.sch.uk.

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Research School Network: Maths Through Picture Books Calling all Reception classes in London, Southeast and East of England!