How It Works
Multi-Sensory Maths In Action
Learning maths is like
learning a language
Maths is a language. If you were a child being introduced to a language for the very first time (you had no prior knowledge), which of the following would be most helpful for you to understand?
The word cat
OR an actual cat
When you learned the word “cat,” you first patted a cat, felt its fur, saw pictures, and heard stories. Only later did you connect those experiences to the letters C-A-T. If you’d just been shown the letters on a page, you wouldn’t have understood.
Maths is the same. Symbols alone don’t make sense at first — but with purpose-built blocks you can see, touch, and use, maths becomes clear and meaningful.
If you were a child being introduced to maths for the very first time (you had no prior knowledge), which of the following would be most helpful for you to understand?
Maths symbols on a page
OR purpose built blocks you can interact with
That’s why we use multi-sensory instruction. With purpose-built blocks and a step-by-step approach, students can build it, draw it, write it, and say it. They move from concrete to abstract with confidence, mastering each concept before moving on.
The result? Maths becomes clear, practical, and enjoyable — and students develop lasting confidence in their ability to learn.
BUILD IT
DRAW IT
WRITE IT
SAY IT
Get Started Today
Our free diagnostic placement testing tools support you in determining where your student’s current understanding of maths is and where any gaps might be.
It provides an accurate snapshot of where they are up to right now so that you can then make an informed decision about what level you will need for them to get started.
How It Works
Our 3 Part System
Whether you're looking to enhance your current approach or implement a complete system, we provide everything you need to transform numeracy outcomes by delivering maths lessons that are engaging, and effective.
1.
Specialist Educator Training
Teach with confidence, at any level, with any student.
Our online training equips teachers, tutors, and parents with the tools to teach maths the way students actually learn: step-by-step, multi-sensory, and mastery-based. With demonstrations, practice, and expert support, you’ll feel confident to deliver lessons that stick.
Learn more about Educator Training.
2.
Explicit Manipulatives
The hands-on tools that make maths click.
Our specialised colour-consistent manipulatives bring numbers to life, making abstract ideas concrete and understandable. Durable, accurate, and designed for mastery, they form the foundation of every lesson.
A one-time purchase for years of use.
Discover the Multi-Sensory Tools.
3.
Complete
Maths Program
A complete pathway for maths mastery, K-7 and Intervention.
From foundational skills to advanced concepts, our sequential program ensures every student builds real understanding before moving on. Each level combines lesson-by-lesson videos, lesson plans, ANZ curriculum alignment, student workbooks and more to make teaching simple.
Explore the Brighter Maths Program.
1.
Specialist
Educator Training
Our education training has been scientifically designed for teachers, tutors, and intervention specialists committed to their students' success.
Particularly relevant for Whole School Response To Intervention (RTI) and transforming numeracy outcomes for students with Dyscalculia, learning differences and maths anxiety, educators are also equipped to confidently teach general students an enjoyment and mastery of maths.
Courses Available
- Module One: Foundation of Maths (Place value, addition & subtraction)
- Module Two: Multiplication and Division
- Module Three: Fractions, Decimals and Percents
- All Modules: Total Maths Mastery
2.
Explicit Learning Tools
Manipulatives
Manipulatives are a crucial learning tool which help students understand maths in a concrete (hands on) way before translating this to the abstract 'squiggles' (letters and numbers on a page).
Research shows that using a colour consistent manipulative alongside a consistent model, reduces cognitive load and develops confidence in maths.
Integer Block Kit
The Integer Block Kit is the only teaching tool you'll need for teaching place value, addition, subtraction, time, multiplication & division of whole numbers.
Magnetic Block Kit
Educators use the Magnetic Block Kit for whiteboard demonstrations for classrooms and online instruction, or on the kitchen fridge for learning through play.
Advanced Kit
Used for teaching fractions, decimals, percents and algebra, this Advanced Kit is the only kit you'll need for extending beyond whole numbers.
3.
Complete K-7
Maths Program
Suitable for students in schools, intervention, tutoring and homeschools.
A comprehensive maths program simplifies implementation for both intervention, and whole school classroom use up to completion of Australian Year 6 equivalent. Our online videos train you to be an effective teacher, equipping you with an understanding of why and how to explicitly teach to mastery.
Students complete the gradual release worksheets, and additional resources enhance learning. Explicit Lesson Plans enable accuracy with implementation.
We've integrated the Science of Learning into daily practice, and simplified implementation of all that matters in effective numeracy instruction.
To make it easy, we've packaged it for whole school tier one, small group tier two and individualised tier three systems of support: For specialist tutors committed to making maths accessible for every child; and for parents and home educators that are devoted to equipping their own children with a lifelong love of learning and mastery of maths.
Program Inclusions
- Lesson by lesson Instructor Materials
- Step By Step Demonstration Videos
- Student Worksheets incorporating UDL, MTSS and Cumulative Review
- Assessment Material
Get Started Today
Our free diagnostic placement testing tools support you in determining where your student’s current understanding of maths is and where any gaps might be. It provides an accurate snapshot of where they are up to right now and you can then make an informed decision about what level you will need for them to get started.
Our Evidence-Based Methodology
I-CRAVE Maths
Our ‘I-CRAVE Maths’ Methodology was developed by Maths Australia CEO & Director, Esther White. It informs everything we offer and systematises the latest pedagogical research to make maths the simplest subject in the world for teachers, assistants and students to understand, master and enjoy.
I = IDENTIFY
To offer effective instruction, you must know the student's current level of mastery. Through a sequential series of simple-to-use assessments, you'll identify the foundations that are - or are not - in place for us to build upon and hence where to begin.
C = CONCRETE
Every lesson begins with clear and accurate demonstrations using specific hands-on manipulative tools (integer blocks or advanced kit) to build rectangles and create understanding for application in real life.
R - REPRESENTATION
The student draws their own proportionately accurate representation of what they have just built. Much like a dog could look more like a dinosaur if the proportions are inaccurate, so too representations in base ten must be proportionally accurate to develop congruency, confidence and understanding (yes, that’s right - no bundles, no ten frames, no dots - they’ve been superseded).
A = ABSTRACT
Show the symbols and teach the rules of the language of maths accurately. With understanding from the concrete and representational stages, the student can both encode and decode with confidence and ease.
V = VERBAL
Consistently engage the student in dialogue to enhance their learning and to check whether your teaching has been clear and accurate. Have the student teach the lesson back to you to check for understanding. Them hearing their own voice embeds the knowledge.
E = EXPLICIT
Explicit Instruction refers to that which is clear, accurate, precise and transferable. We ensure absolute congruency between the models used, the representations drawn, the squiggles written and the verbal instructions given for application in everyday life. This congruency develops confidence and maximises teaching time through reducing extraneous instructional clutter.
The Research
Our focus at Maths Australia is to educate all teachers in research and evidence based pedagogy and to provide them with smart, multi-sensory and developmentally appropriate solutions that they can bring to their students, confident of their success.
Since 2000, we've tested, and refined, how to most effectively integrate research to provide outstanding numeracy outcomes for both neurotypical and neurodivergent students.
Our I-CRAVE Maths Methodology is the foundation of all products and services we provide and is informed by the following bodies of research:
- The Science of Learning
- Cognitive Load Theory
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
- Rosenshine’s Principles Of Instruction
- Trauma-Informed Practice
- Explicit Direct Instruction
- Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
- Response-To-Intervention (RTI) Framework
- Big Ideas In Number
- Piaget's Developmental Stages
Important Essentials from the Research
Our training, manipulatives and program equip educators to incorporate the following essentials effectively, plus much more.
- Well-trained teachers that are equipped to address students at the point of need
- Early screening with timely, rapid intervention
- Reduce cognitive load
- Use explicit hands-on manipulatives
- Incorporate multi-sensory teaching and learning
- Model consistent and accurate modeling
- Use consistency of colours to aid learning
- Integrate logical lesson sequencing
- Develop in-depth mastery of whole numbers first
- Cumulative review
- Systematic instruction
- Incorporate explicit instruction at every step
- Ensure fluency and mastery before progression
- Integrate life situations and application
- Structure each lesson
- Provide regular and cumulative review
- Monitor progress
- Intervene at the point of need
- Follow the student's pace
- Incorporate timed practise
- Base instruction on understanding
Though you've heard of, or possibly even integrated these recommendations before, it's our attention to the subtle detail in their application that equips you to make all the difference. Our absolute confidence in the way we teach you to implement them means we can guarantee your success.
Click here for a curated collection of articles that unpack how the I-CRAVE MATHS® approach transforms proven theory into results you can see immediately in your classroom.
The following TEDxBells Beach presentation by Esther White, CEO and Founder of Maths Australia, outlines the simplicity of a methodology based on teaching maths as a language. This, and her 'ICRAVE Maths' Methodology informs all that we offer so that you too can transform your student's numeracy outcomes.
Let's teach maths as the language that it is.
Testimonials
The training I have received through Maths Australia and the Total Maths Mastery package has been invaluable! I wish I had this knowledge from 20+ years ago when I did teacher training.
Christa Forsyth, Specialist Intervention Teacher
I have been using Maths Australia resources for 15 years. I will soon be starting my 6th child on it. In all my years of homeschooling this is the only curriculum that has stood the test of time.
Sally Farelly, Homeschooling Mum
I’ve just completed ‘Foundations of Maths’ Online Training Course. I’m so excited about teaching maths as a language and using your CRA manipulatives! Finally, a pedagogy is explained and demonstrated that is systematic and that teachers can make sense of in mathematics – thank you!!
R Parella, Leader in Numeracy
I have a year 7 son with dyslexia. Wow! What a program! My son flew through the workbooks and he no longer finger counts! Thankyou for providing such a fun and easy way for teaching maths! Thankyou for giving my son the confidence he needed to overcome his fear of maths.
Lisa Harper, Homeschooling Mum - Dyslexia