So, it’s unsurprising that mathematics skills are related to future employment, well-being and quality of life. However, many adults don’t have the mathematics skills they need to succeed.

Difficulties with mathematics emerge early, with a quarter of children leaving primary school without a solid foundation of skills and understanding. By the age of six or seven, many children have already begun to develop negative feelings about mathematics.

But why do so many children struggle with learning mathematics? The early stages of learning mathematics involve a remarkable process whereby children make sense of patterns in language and their environment to develop an abstract concept of number.

In her lecture, Professor Gilmore will show how children achieve this by bringing together a range of skills. She will also highlight how games and playful activities can help children to see the mathematics in the world around them – and embark on a positive journey of mathematics education.