Accessible Early Numeracy for Children with VI and SEND
Developing Early Mathematical Understanding Through Multisensory Learning
Course Overview
This practical, hands-on course equips participants with the knowledge, understanding and strategies needed to support early numeracy development through accessible, engaging and meaningful learning experiences. Participants will explore how children with vision impairment and additional SEND needs develop mathematical concepts and discover practical ways to remove barriers to learning.
Designed for teachers, teaching assistants, SENDCos, early years practitioners, QTVIs and support staff, the course focuses on creating learning opportunities that are tactile, auditory, kinaesthetic and experiential, enabling every child to develop essential early numeracy skills.
Understanding Early Numeracy Development
Children with vision impairment often experience reduced access to incidental learning opportunities that naturally support mathematical understanding.
This section explores:
- How vision impairment affects early numeracy development
- Concept development and mathematical understanding
- The importance of experiential learning
- Building mathematical language
- Supporting children with additional SEND needs
- Developing confidence and engagement with numeracy
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how children learn early mathematical concepts and how to provide effective support.
Developing Foundational Numeracy Skills
The course focuses on practical approaches for teaching key early numeracy concepts through accessible and multisensory methods.
Participants will explore strategies for teaching:
- Counting and number awareness
- Matching and sorting
- Comparing and categorising
- Pattern recognition
- Early problem-solving
- Mathematical vocabulary
- Number relationships and quantity
Activities are designed to be meaningful, engaging and accessible for all learners.
Multisensory Approaches to Numeracy
Children learn best when they can actively explore and experience mathematical concepts.
Participants will discover how to use:
- Tactile resources
- Real objects and concrete materials
- Auditory learning opportunities
- Movement and kinaesthetic activities
- Sensory exploration
- Everyday experiences and routines
The focus is on helping children develop a genuine understanding of mathematical concepts rather than simply learning procedures.
Creating Accessible Numeracy Resources
Practical resources play a vital role in supporting children with VI and SEND.
This section examines how to:
- Adapt existing numeracy resources
- Improve accessibility
- Create tactile learning materials
- Use low-cost and readily available resources
- Support independent learning
- Develop personalised approaches for individual learners
Participants will leave with a wide range of practical ideas that can be implemented immediately.
Embedding Numeracy Throughout the Day
Numeracy learning opportunities exist throughout daily routines and classroom activities.
Participants will learn how to:
- Integrate numeracy into play-based learning
- Encourage mathematical thinking throughout the day
- Use real-life experiences to develop concepts
- Promote mathematical language
- Support the transfer of skills across different environments
The course demonstrates how meaningful learning opportunities can be created naturally and consistently.
Who Is This Course For?
This training is suitable for:
- QTVIs
- SENDCos
- Teachers
- Teaching Assistants
- Early Years Practitioners
- Specialist Teachers
- Inclusion Teams
- Resource Base Staff
- Educational professionals supporting children with VI and SEND
Structure and Delivery
The course adopts a highly practical and interactive approach, combining professional knowledge with demonstrations, discussion and resource exploration.
Training can be delivered:
- Face-to-face as a one-day course
- Online as three resource-rich sessions
Content can be tailored to meet the needs of individual schools, services, local authorities and organisations.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course participants will be able to:
- Understand how vision impairment can affect early numeracy development.
- Identify barriers to mathematical learning for children with VI and SEND.
- Apply practical multisensory strategies to teach early numeracy concepts.
- Adapt learning materials to improve accessibility and engagement.
- Create meaningful opportunities for mathematical learning throughout the day.
- Support children’s confidence, independence and enjoyment of numeracy.
Supporting Early Numeracy for Children with VI and SEND
Developing early numeracy skills provides children with the foundations they need for future learning and independence. This course offers practical strategies, accessible resources and multisensory approaches that help children with vision impairment and SEND develop confidence and success in mathematics.
What the Professionals Say About Our Training
“Plenty of hands-on resources to look at and try. Great ideas to take away with me and put into practice.”
“Fantastic resources demonstrated and lots of ideas for adaptation to suit individual children.”
“Using ideas and resources to build concrete understanding of such abstract ideas. Thank you for such a great day!”
Why Choose Positive Eye?
Positive Eye training is developed and delivered by experienced specialists in vision impairment education and curriculum access.
Our courses focus on practical, achievable strategies that support inclusive teaching and help professionals create accessible learning opportunities for all children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should attend this course?
The course is designed for educators and professionals supporting children and young people with SEND and vision impairment.
Is the course suitable for mainstream schools?
Yes. The strategies can be used across mainstream and specialist educational settings.
What will I learn?
You will learn practical strategies that support early mathematical development through everyday learning opportunities.
Will I receive practical resource ideas?
Yes. The course includes a wide range of low-cost, practical resource ideas, activities and strategies that can be used immediately in classrooms, early years settings and specialist provision.
Will I receive resources?
Yes. Participants receive a comprehensive downloadable resource pack containing practical activities, ideas and resources.
Related Courses
- Accessible Literacy for Children with VI and SEND
- Introduction to Supporting Children with Vision Impairment
- Positive Looking Visual Skills
- Teaching Braille to Children with Vision Impairment
To Discuss Your Training Requirements
Please email gwyn@positiveeye.co.uk to discuss your specific requirements.
This course can be tailored to meet the needs of your school, service, local authority or organisation.
