Nursery World Awards 2022 - Professional Book of the Year

You can download the digital awards book here

Playful Mathematics by Helen J Williams recognises that children are naturally mathematical in their play, and play with mathematics.

The book acknowledges that many early years practitioners struggle to make mathematics relevant and engaging for their young learners, and often do not feel confident with maths, something Ofsted has repeatedly identified as having an impact on early mathematical thinking in children.

Practitioners are often unsure about how to build on children’s mathematical play, or how this observed play ‘fits’ in with the mathematics they teach.

The book, which features practical suggestions for working with children aged between three and seven, is a ‘how to’ book for early years maths. It empowers early years teachers to see the learning in mathematical play and to remain committed to play-based practice, to have confidence in their own mathematics ability and to open up learning about numbers, patterns and shapes.

It also outlines recent research on how children best learn mathematics, and explains why preparation works better than planning and why ‘thinking space’ matters more than practitioners might think.

It aims to show how mathematics is all around us, and prove to practitioners that they are already building mathematicians in their setting. It supports them to connect what they are doing in their setting with what is essential in early mathematics learning, helping them to go further to enhance learning and development.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

How to recognise and support Mathematical Mastery in Young Children’s Play. Learning from the ‘Talk for Maths Mastery’ Initiative by Di Chilvers (Ed), Routledge

Drawing on the ‘Talk for Maths Mastery’ initiative, a two-year professional development project involving practitioners, children and families from 12 primary schools in Sheffield, the book is a practical handbook with lots of ideas and photocopiable resources to support practice built on a solid foundation of theory and research, helping educators understand early mathematical development, children’s fascinations with all things mathematical, and the maths taking place in children’s play.

It looks in detail at children’s mathematical development from birth to seven.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Introduction to Neuroscience and Self-regulation in Early Years by Dr Mine Conkbayir, Hallmark Education

This is a highly accessible introductory guide to the neuroscience underpinning early brain development, with key concepts woven through the book.

It shares some of the remarkable insight neuroscience provides into how the infant brain develops and how this is affected by external influences, not least adults and the care environment. The key role of the practitioner is therefore evident throughout.

The book explains the theory behind the science and is packed with practical advice concerning how to promote healthy brain development in the early years and how to nurture children’s self-regulation skills.

FINALISTS

Alphabet Rhyme Time by Michelle Larbey, Learnwell Trading

Discover Creativity with Babies by Louise Day, Routledge

A Guide to SEND in the Early Years by Kerry Murphy, Bloomsbury Education

Observing Gabby by Cath Arnold, Open University Press/McGraw Hill

CRITERION

Open to professional books aimed at supporting the work of early years practitioners, managers and leaders, which have been published (or a new edition published) since 1 January 2021.