Maths. It either fills you with excitement or dread. Whatever your past experiences with maths were, they’re probably still affecting how you feel about it today. And that in turn can affect how our kids view it.

For most of my life, apart from a couple of enthusiastic primary school teachers, maths felt dry and irrelevant. Even when I was teaching I found the constant focus on progress and assessment to undermine the creative and exploratory side of maths, that enjoyment of making discoveries and playing with ideas without pressure or expectations.

But home educating my kids has opened up a new appreciation for maths. Watching how they engage with it and learn so much through play and interests has helped me to see it as something playful, creative and genuinely enjoyable.

I’ve also discovered two brilliant mathematicians who've shown me the more creative and fascinating side to maths. If you've always approached it with dread, or you just don't know where to take it with your kids, I think they could do the same for you. These books aren't just for your kids, they’re for you to learn alongside your kids and discover how enjoyable maths can be together.

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