Mathematics and Transition to School

Bob Perry is Professor of Mathematics Education in the School of Education and the Research Institute for Professional Practice, Learning and Education at Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia. Bob's research interests include powerful mathematics ideas in preschool and the first years of school; ethical tensions in researching with children; curriculum continuity as children start school; and starting school within families with complex support needs. Bob has published extensively in journals and books with his latest edited publication entitled Transitions to School: International Research, Policy and Practice released by Springer in 2013. Amy MacDonald is a Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies in the School of Education and the Research Institute for Professional Practice, Learning and Education at Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia. Amy's research explores the mathematics experiences and education of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and children in the early years of primary school; transitions in children's mathematics education; and the contexts in which children develop mathematical understandings. Amy has received a number of awards for her work in these areas, including the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia Early Career Award in 2011. Ann Gervasoni is Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education at Australian Catholic University, Ballarat, Australia. Ann has worked in teacher education, teacher professional learning and primary education for 32 years. Ann was a member of the research team for the Early Numeracy Research Project (1999-2001) in Victoria, Australia and research director of the Bridging the Numeracy Gap in Low SES and Aboriginal Communities project in Western Australia and Victoria (2009-2011). Ann's research focuses on mathematics education in early childhood and primary education, mathematics learning difficulties, and community approaches for supporting the learning of those most vulnerable in our community.