'This book is the ideal way to dispel some of the fears which surround the subject area of mathematics and should be an essential part of the professional development library of every early years setting provider for children aged three and over' - Early Years Update. 'A book that is both readable and rigorous. Its guidance will help teachers to make mathematics meaningful to young children. Throughout the book connections are made which relate language, symbols, concrete materials and pictures to the key ideas that are central to effective learning for the 21st century. This book will help teachers gain a depth of understanding that will make them confident in engaging children with real mathematical thinking' - Dr J.E. Anghileri, Senior Lecturer in Mathematics and Mathematics Education, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge. 'This is an updated version of a classic text which has been a best -seller among teachers and student teachers for many years. Being always strongly grounded in the classroom, it develops in a non-intimidating way teachers' own understanding of the mathematics they are teaching. Many insightful examples of children's thinking and appropriate activities help to illustrate the points. This is an essential book for teachers of Early Years and Key Stage 1' - Margaret Brown, Professor of Mathematics Education, King's College London, UK. This is a fully revised version of the authors' successful and much-used book, Understanding Mathematics in the Lower Primary Years, updated to include the current Foundation Stage Curriculum and the new Primary Framework in England. The authors empower the reader to have a clearer understanding of the mathematical ideas behind the material they use in the classroom. They also show how children can be helped to develop an understanding of mathematics for themselves, rather than just learning recipes and routines with little meaning. Major themes are: Understanding through making connections; Equivalence and transformation; and, Using and applying mathematics. It is written for teachers and teacher trainees engaged in teaching mathematics to children aged 3 to 8 years. It is an essential student text and professional reference work for all teachers of children aged 3 to 8 years. Dr Derek Haylock is an education consultant and author, working in the field of mathematics education. His book Mathematics Explained for Primary Teachers has been a leader in the field for many years, with a third edition published in 2006. Dr Anne Cockburn is a Reader in the School of Education and Lifelong Learning at the University of East Anglia, Norwich.