About us
Maulfry Worthington and Elizabeth Carruthers
are the originators of Children’s Mathematical Graphics and founders of the international Children’s Mathematics Network, established in 2003. We have taught in the full 3-8-year age range for many years, and have conducted extensive research into key aspects of mathematics in early childhood, with a particular focus on children's developing understanding of graphical sign-use (semiotics) for communicating mathematical thinking, and the pedagogy of their early mathematical notations - (Children’s Mathematical Graphics). Our research also includes children's explorations of mathematics within their pretend play, and its relationship to their home cultural knowledge.
The importance of this work has been highlighted in a number of documents, and was featured in the DCSF (2008) Independent Review of Mathematics Teaching in Early Years Settings and Primary schools ('The Williams Review). Subsequently Carruthers and Worthington were commissioned to write Children Thinking Mathematically: PSRN Essential Knowledge for Early Years Practitioners (DCSF, 2009).
In England their extensive research and publications have resulted in support for our work in a number of governmental and independent reviews and reports.