Count Me In 123 is a game-based learning resource developed for use in a variety of settings. Leeds Library has been using the service, in Partnership with Yorkshire Bank, since 2005 with much success. The resource is designed to engage with children from an early age and familiarise them with mathematical concepts and ideas through stories and rhymes. It has been particularly useful in providing education to vulnerable children. The initiative is designed to support children and their carers in developing the fundamental life skills of numeracy and financial literacy.
Count Me In 123 bags
Leeds Library and Information Service purchased Count Me In 123 bags containing books and activities for children aged from one to four years old to share with their parents and carers. Initially 100 sets were purchased with the intention of being lent out from libraries across the city. The bags were launched at Seacroft Library and to begin with, loans were restricted to nurseries and childminders. The bags were a great success and an extra 50 sets were purchased with loans being extended to parents.
Count Me In Primary and Count Me In Web
Two other resources, Count Me In Primary and Count Me In Web build upon the skills developed in Count Me In 123. Count Me In Primary supplies bags which contain a mixture of books, family games, and role play and individual activities to provide a fun way of improving mathematical skills. It encourages children to use money in an engaging way and to explore mathematical concepts such as fractions, time, and geometry. Some of the activities have been blown up to make large floor games and these are used for events in the library as well as to extend the library’s outreach in the community.
Jenny Smith, a mum from Garforth said, “We love borrowing the Count Me In Primary bags from the library, it's a fun way to share stories, play games and help Joshua with his maths. The activities are all ready to use in the bag, I have started using Count Me In 123 with my daughter too, it’s a great way to spend quality family time.”
Outreach is further broadened by the fact that the instructions for both Count Me In 123 and Primary have been translated into 10 community languages, with the English version on one side and the translated version on the reverse, to help parents and children whose first language is not English.
Count Me In Web is an extension of the games aimed at older children, and is accessed via a computer. It was developed in Leeds and is aimed at 11-14 year olds. It was felt an online game was a better resource for this age group. Players have to earn pocket money and then choose when and where to spend it. This develops an understanding of the concept of budgeting and enables players to realise that financial decisions have an impact on their success within the game. It gives young people the chance to earn money, spend it on clothes and entertainment, and also to save money. The game can be played on any computer, but players have to enter their library number to access it. This enables the library to monitor use and capture statistical data.
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