Don't push children.
Provide what they want to do
and the outcome will be great.
Let's visit
Numberland
A research project led to this emotional, playful math concept on
numeracy, language and important soft skills
Building the individual bridge from the inborn mathematical understanding to the formal language of math
Concept - Publication - Materials - Trainings
A research project led to this emotional, playful math concept on
numeracy, language and important soft skills
Building the individual bridge from the inborn mathematical understanding to the formal language of math
Concept - Publication - Materials - Trainings
Contacts
* Europe
Institute for Preschool Learning (ifvl)
Barbara Schindelhauer
Am Rosengarten 13
79183 Waldkirch, Germany
+49 (7681) 4937176
barbara.schindelhauer@numberland.net
* USA
Susan Mestjian
susan.mestjian@numberland.net
+1 (239) 404 6152
www.facebook.com/visit.numberland
Each child is born with an intuitive mathematical understanding and each child is interested in math. Let's visit Numberland helps ALL children build a solid and emotional bridge to the formal language of math used in school, professions, daily life. Focus is on numeracy skills in terms of a thorough, well structured understanding of all aspects of the basic numbers 0 to 10 (quantity, order, geometric shapes etc.) and the number symbols up to 20.
The concept is the outcome of a research project, carried out in Germany from 2003 to 2005. Objective was to find out whether combining findings from brain research, developtmental psychology elementary pedagogics, and math into an emotional and imaginative, open and playful concept had significant effects on learning. And it had: Friedrich/Munz proved that within only ten weeks children aged 3 to 6 gained the mathematical competence and understanding they would have normally achieved only within one year. The same was true for language skills. The University of Heidelberg confirmed the findings in a second study from 2005 to 2009.
Let's visit Numberland is an imaginative, playful and, therefore, highly efficient and motivating yet very down-to-earth concept on numeracy. It is consequently designed from a child's perspective: How do they see the world? What can they build on? How do they think? What do they need and like?
The Concept
On their fantastic, cheerful journey to Numberland, the children meet the numbers One to Ten as nice, living characters who motivate them to deal with mathematical aspects and coherences. The children build and furnish gardens with housese and towers for the numbers in Number Town, and move on Number Lane. There are lots of active games, music and tales, a goblin messing around and a fairy, as well as other things children love.
As an open concept, Numberland is a non-prescriptive programme, providing a motivating and structuring frame. Both children and staff are encouraged to bring in own ideas and matching activities. The teachers may easily adapt it to individual needs and age brackets.
Our concept has found wide acceptance in Germany since we have initiated it in 2003. Throughout the years we have been enjoying the many benefits children, also our own, got out of Numberland. These benefits go well beyond an enduring and thorough understanding of the basic numbers. They additionally comprise language competence and soft skills such as concentration, cognition, social and motor skills, creative and music skills. It is great to see how much Numberland supports teachers and educational staff in their work.
Numberland
started to find its way throughout Europe,
the USA, and other countries.
Read more about the Numberland concept and elements.
Any interest or support is highly appreciated!
Because math is a universal language and 'Numberland' is efficient and flexible, we would like to share our concept with you.
Please feel free to contact us.
 |
Barbara Schindelhauer MSc Director, author |
Want
to learn more about us and how 'Let's visit Numberland' came into being? Click here. |
 |
Dr. habil. Gerhard Friedrich PhD in Pedagogics, math teacher Scientific Advisor, author |
|
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Viola de Galgóczy University degree in vocal arts, teacher for vocal arts, vocalist Co-author |
These gentlemen in Texas are having fun exploring and discussing all about Number One.
All materials are self-made and all-day materials and toys are brought in.
Keywords:
math, mathematics, numbers, learn early numbers, numeracy skills, preschool, kindergarten activities, playful, early years, language, language skills, numberland, co-constructive, didactic, research based, early math, educational
Testimonials
C. Hauer-Berry, teacher in Texas/USA:
'Numberland is a fun and exciting way to teach children about the world of numbers. (...) The fantasy world of the numbers adds an intriguing aspect, the hands-on manipulatives make it a 'real' number learning experience.
I have never seen children so excited and motivated to learn about numbers as with Number Land. I also like how all kinds of information is woven into the 'Number Stories'. (...) Who would have known that learning about numbers is so much fun - what a great concept !!!'
(Download full text with pictures)
L. Macdonald, nursery teacher in the UK:
'I am sure that Numberland will fit in very well with our Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum for Mathematics.'
Research study
Within only ten weeks, children of all backgrounds joining a Numberland project gained the knowledge of one entire year - and simultaneously developed their language skills:
-> Download more information
* Summary of the research
results (pdf, 274
KB)
* Full article on the research study (Translation of the article published in German journal) (pdf, 2 MB)
* Or go to our publication list
* Full article on the research study (Translation of the article published in German journal) (pdf, 2 MB)
* Or go to our publication list
Details on "Numberland"
Learn more about the elements of Numberland
Video
film on youtube
About us
...and our motivation
Presentation Materials
... from a key note speach, given at the Delta Kappa Gamma Conference Baden Baden 2011 (Link)
Handbook and other Publications
Details
Materials
Numberland' can be easily realized with self-constructed and existing materials. In addition, the Germany based Wehrfritz company offers a range of long lasting materials with a high stimulative nature and meeting different needs.
All products are optional and can be freely combined.
See "Willy's World of Numbers" or "Willys Zahlenwelt" at www.wehrfritz.com
Shipping to many countries.
Flyer
Download (pdf 5,4 MB, 2 pages
with pictures)
Hands-on trainings available on request
Links
URL: www.numberland.net
www.facebook.com/visit.numberlandGerman homepage www.ifvl.de
Polish Numberland website www.numberland.net/polska
