Dr Maulfry Worthington
@maulfry.bsky.social
Originator of Children's Mathematical Graphics with Elizabeth Carruthers; passionate about early childhood maths; graphicacy; pretend play; semiotics; child-centred learning. Early years academic & published author; England.
www.childrens-mathematics.net
www.childrens-mathematics.net
Four year old Mason drew on his 'funds of knowledge'
as he wrote a string of letters and numerals, reading
"SK, 714bp10". Lifting his spy gadget to his face he
explained "SK is to keep the password safe. To switch it
on you have to say '714bp10' - and you have to read it
backwards for 'off'"!
as he wrote a string of letters and numerals, reading
"SK, 714bp10". Lifting his spy gadget to his face he
explained "SK is to keep the password safe. To switch it
on you have to say '714bp10' - and you have to read it
backwards for 'off'"!
September 10, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Four year old Mason drew on his 'funds of knowledge'
as he wrote a string of letters and numerals, reading
"SK, 714bp10". Lifting his spy gadget to his face he
explained "SK is to keep the password safe. To switch it
on you have to say '714bp10' - and you have to read it
backwards for 'off'"!
as he wrote a string of letters and numerals, reading
"SK, 714bp10". Lifting his spy gadget to his face he
explained "SK is to keep the password safe. To switch it
on you have to say '714bp10' - and you have to read it
backwards for 'off'"!
Isaac, (4 years, 6 months) was playing 'Builders'. On a play
cheque he wrote a reversed and inverted letter 'a' to signify “£500.00 for all the jobs I've done at my house".
Young children begin to differentiate letter and numerical symbols in meaningful contexts such as their own pretend play.
cheque he wrote a reversed and inverted letter 'a' to signify “£500.00 for all the jobs I've done at my house".
Young children begin to differentiate letter and numerical symbols in meaningful contexts such as their own pretend play.
September 1, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Isaac, (4 years, 6 months) was playing 'Builders'. On a play
cheque he wrote a reversed and inverted letter 'a' to signify “£500.00 for all the jobs I've done at my house".
Young children begin to differentiate letter and numerical symbols in meaningful contexts such as their own pretend play.
cheque he wrote a reversed and inverted letter 'a' to signify “£500.00 for all the jobs I've done at my house".
Young children begin to differentiate letter and numerical symbols in meaningful contexts such as their own pretend play.
Three-year-old Sam was watching as Bradley played with a calculator, talking about and writing numerals. Sam decided to copy what Bradley was doing, and made his own marks, making a connection between the technology, numerals and writing something down.
August 25, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Three-year-old Sam was watching as Bradley played with a calculator, talking about and writing numerals. Sam decided to copy what Bradley was doing, and made his own marks, making a connection between the technology, numerals and writing something down.
Young children need understanding, kindness, open-ended time to play and to make sense of the world, which is why all our research focuses on Children's Mathematical Graphics.
See: www.childrens-mathematics.net
See: www.childrens-mathematics.net
July 21, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Young children need understanding, kindness, open-ended time to play and to make sense of the world, which is why all our research focuses on Children's Mathematical Graphics.
See: www.childrens-mathematics.net
See: www.childrens-mathematics.net
And for some lovely examples of children's mathematical graphics in pretend play and other contexts, see www.childrens-mathematics.net
May 27, 2025 at 3:49 PM
And for some lovely examples of children's mathematical graphics in pretend play and other contexts, see www.childrens-mathematics.net
ALL children's graphics - including scribbles - are valuable. As they scribble they begin to attach meanings to them, which can likened to babies babbling.
Three-year-old Finn named his scribble-marks 'night-time'.
Attaching personal meanings to marks is significant in their graphical journey.
Three-year-old Finn named his scribble-marks 'night-time'.
Attaching personal meanings to marks is significant in their graphical journey.
April 22, 2025 at 10:05 AM
ALL children's graphics - including scribbles - are valuable. As they scribble they begin to attach meanings to them, which can likened to babies babbling.
Three-year-old Finn named his scribble-marks 'night-time'.
Attaching personal meanings to marks is significant in their graphical journey.
Three-year-old Finn named his scribble-marks 'night-time'.
Attaching personal meanings to marks is significant in their graphical journey.
Later, choosing to use their own Mathematical Graphics, children will solve problems in their own ways.
In this example, Barney was playing a dice game, and thinking about 'taking away' some of the beans in his pot, invented an arc of arrows to signify 'take away' - that made real sense to him!
In this example, Barney was playing a dice game, and thinking about 'taking away' some of the beans in his pot, invented an arc of arrows to signify 'take away' - that made real sense to him!
March 10, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Later, choosing to use their own Mathematical Graphics, children will solve problems in their own ways.
In this example, Barney was playing a dice game, and thinking about 'taking away' some of the beans in his pot, invented an arc of arrows to signify 'take away' - that made real sense to him!
In this example, Barney was playing a dice game, and thinking about 'taking away' some of the beans in his pot, invented an arc of arrows to signify 'take away' - that made real sense to him!
It is difficult for young children to use and understand the abstract written language of mathematics, without communicating their mathematical thinking their own ways.
Children's Mathematical Graphics are the missing aspect of early childhood mathematics curricula.
www.childrens-mathematics.net
Children's Mathematical Graphics are the missing aspect of early childhood mathematics curricula.
www.childrens-mathematics.net
March 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM
It is difficult for young children to use and understand the abstract written language of mathematics, without communicating their mathematical thinking their own ways.
Children's Mathematical Graphics are the missing aspect of early childhood mathematics curricula.
www.childrens-mathematics.net
Children's Mathematical Graphics are the missing aspect of early childhood mathematics curricula.
www.childrens-mathematics.net
Playing builders with others in the gazebo outside, Isaac wrote a play-cheque, “For all the jobs done. […] One thousand pounds to hire generators so we’re getting electricity to the building”.
Isaac had recently begun to use letter- and numeral-like signs and his sign indicates the amount paid.
Isaac had recently begun to use letter- and numeral-like signs and his sign indicates the amount paid.
March 5, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Playing builders with others in the gazebo outside, Isaac wrote a play-cheque, “For all the jobs done. […] One thousand pounds to hire generators so we’re getting electricity to the building”.
Isaac had recently begun to use letter- and numeral-like signs and his sign indicates the amount paid.
Isaac had recently begun to use letter- and numeral-like signs and his sign indicates the amount paid.
Marina's class had been to the library van that visited the village. On her return to the classroom, Marina decided to create a (pretend) library van.
February 25, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Marina's class had been to the library van that visited the village. On her return to the classroom, Marina decided to create a (pretend) library van.
Impressed by learning that those borrowing books who failed to return them on the due date, would be fined - created a pretend 'library van' on her return to school.
She then wrote letters to borrowers, demanding huge fines!
She then wrote letters to borrowers, demanding huge fines!
February 25, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Impressed by learning that those borrowing books who failed to return them on the due date, would be fined - created a pretend 'library van' on her return to school.
She then wrote letters to borrowers, demanding huge fines!
She then wrote letters to borrowers, demanding huge fines!
Frances’s class had been on a train journey, and the return trip was on a very crowded train. When they returned, Aaron wondered how many seats there were on the entire train. Later, when he phoned the station, he found that there were 7 carriages on the train, and 75 seats in each carriage.
February 21, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Frances’s class had been on a train journey, and the return trip was on a very crowded train. When they returned, Aaron wondered how many seats there were on the entire train. Later, when he phoned the station, he found that there were 7 carriages on the train, and 75 seats in each carriage.
On one side of his paper (not shown), Nathan, drew a horizontal line with zigzags over it, explaining that it was his "birthday cake." His mum had made a caterpillar-shaped cake for his fourth birthday party, the day before.
February 11, 2025 at 1:39 PM
On one side of his paper (not shown), Nathan, drew a horizontal line with zigzags over it, explaining that it was his "birthday cake." His mum had made a caterpillar-shaped cake for his fourth birthday party, the day before.
Tiyanni pointed to the large, almost enclosed circle on the right:
"That's the number 8, and the other number is 9."
This wasn't about writing 'correct' numerals but her need to associate her house number with her pretend house when playing.
"That's the number 8, and the other number is 9."
This wasn't about writing 'correct' numerals but her need to associate her house number with her pretend house when playing.
February 7, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Tiyanni pointed to the large, almost enclosed circle on the right:
"That's the number 8, and the other number is 9."
This wasn't about writing 'correct' numerals but her need to associate her house number with her pretend house when playing.
"That's the number 8, and the other number is 9."
This wasn't about writing 'correct' numerals but her need to associate her house number with her pretend house when playing.
Oliver quietly listened before deciding to participate, drawing dots followed by several ticks, explaining:
“These are ticks. When there are three ticks you can go, when there are two you can’t go that way. I’ve made two ticks - that means you are not allowed. People allowed in that way.”
“These are ticks. When there are three ticks you can go, when there are two you can’t go that way. I’ve made two ticks - that means you are not allowed. People allowed in that way.”
February 4, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Oliver quietly listened before deciding to participate, drawing dots followed by several ticks, explaining:
“These are ticks. When there are three ticks you can go, when there are two you can’t go that way. I’ve made two ticks - that means you are not allowed. People allowed in that way.”
“These are ticks. When there are three ticks you can go, when there are two you can’t go that way. I’ve made two ticks - that means you are not allowed. People allowed in that way.”
Dr Maulfry Worthington @maulfry.bsky.social
Joolone @joolone.bsky.social - repost
I ask a child: “How could we explore measure?”
A moments silence.
Child: “We could find out how far we can draw a line with a piece of chalk until it’s too small to hold.”
He follows the plan.
Genius.
Joolone @joolone.bsky.social - repost
I ask a child: “How could we explore measure?”
A moments silence.
Child: “We could find out how far we can draw a line with a piece of chalk until it’s too small to hold.”
He follows the plan.
Genius.
February 2, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Dr Maulfry Worthington @maulfry.bsky.social
Joolone @joolone.bsky.social - repost
I ask a child: “How could we explore measure?”
A moments silence.
Child: “We could find out how far we can draw a line with a piece of chalk until it’s too small to hold.”
He follows the plan.
Genius.
Joolone @joolone.bsky.social - repost
I ask a child: “How could we explore measure?”
A moments silence.
Child: “We could find out how far we can draw a line with a piece of chalk until it’s too small to hold.”
He follows the plan.
Genius.
We are just starting out on a collaborative, year-long project with early childhood educators in Yorke Peninsula (South Australia) on Children's Mathematical Graphics (2025).
Very excited! More to come soon!
Very excited! More to come soon!
January 29, 2025 at 11:32 AM
We are just starting out on a collaborative, year-long project with early childhood educators in Yorke Peninsula (South Australia) on Children's Mathematical Graphics (2025).
Very excited! More to come soon!
Very excited! More to come soon!
Next, he drew another smiling face, but this time without a cross, explaining, "Look, that means it's open."
Then, drawing a cross over the new face remarked, "Oh dear ... it's closed."
Then, drawing a cross over the new face remarked, "Oh dear ... it's closed."
January 27, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Next, he drew another smiling face, but this time without a cross, explaining, "Look, that means it's open."
Then, drawing a cross over the new face remarked, "Oh dear ... it's closed."
Then, drawing a cross over the new face remarked, "Oh dear ... it's closed."
Daniel (4 y, 9 m.), had been playing shops and decided to make signs to show when the shop was 'open', and another to show when it was 'closed'.
His teacher had noticed what he was doing, and pointing to the face with a cross over it, Daniel explained, "It's closed now, the shop is closed."
His teacher had noticed what he was doing, and pointing to the face with a cross over it, Daniel explained, "It's closed now, the shop is closed."
January 27, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Daniel (4 y, 9 m.), had been playing shops and decided to make signs to show when the shop was 'open', and another to show when it was 'closed'.
His teacher had noticed what he was doing, and pointing to the face with a cross over it, Daniel explained, "It's closed now, the shop is closed."
His teacher had noticed what he was doing, and pointing to the face with a cross over it, Daniel explained, "It's closed now, the shop is closed."
Alfie watched Milo use pages from a notebook to make ‘calculators’ and decided to join in. Having drawn shapes on his page, Alfie ripped off the page, and then made more symbols, saying “6, 7, 8, 9, I’ve made a number 10!"
January 21, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Alfie watched Milo use pages from a notebook to make ‘calculators’ and decided to join in. Having drawn shapes on his page, Alfie ripped off the page, and then made more symbols, saying “6, 7, 8, 9, I’ve made a number 10!"
Jordan (3 years, 1 month) made cuts across his scribbled paper, remarking, "doggie", his cut-out signifying a head and body, and the tiny piece its tail.
This example includes sufficient visual information for us to
'see' his dog, whilst the lack of detail (face, ears and legs) are implied.
This example includes sufficient visual information for us to
'see' his dog, whilst the lack of detail (face, ears and legs) are implied.
January 14, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Jordan (3 years, 1 month) made cuts across his scribbled paper, remarking, "doggie", his cut-out signifying a head and body, and the tiny piece its tail.
This example includes sufficient visual information for us to
'see' his dog, whilst the lack of detail (face, ears and legs) are implied.
This example includes sufficient visual information for us to
'see' his dog, whilst the lack of detail (face, ears and legs) are implied.
Tucking coloured paper in an envelope, Nathan explained it was an astronaut. Saying, "Blast off!" he lifted it above his head making a 'whooshing' sound and announcing, "It's flying to the moon."
Then, lifting the envelope's flap, he explained that the astronaut could get out of his space-suit.
January 12, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Tucking coloured paper in an envelope, Nathan explained it was an astronaut. Saying, "Blast off!" he lifted it above his head making a 'whooshing' sound and announcing, "It's flying to the moon."
Then, lifting the envelope's flap, he explained that the astronaut could get out of his space-suit.
As with infants' learning to talk, in meaningful contexts, young children try out graphical signs to communicate their thinking (here in a mathematical game).
January 8, 2025 at 2:17 PM
As with infants' learning to talk, in meaningful contexts, young children try out graphical signs to communicate their thinking (here in a mathematical game).
The spontaneity and originality revealed in children's graphics is often remarkable.
Here a young four-year old explained that his family had been on a car journey that was "very hilly".
January 5, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The spontaneity and originality revealed in children's graphics is often remarkable.
Here a young four-year old explained that his family had been on a car journey that was "very hilly".