Courses for parents of children with dyscalculia

We applied for the Erasmus+ project to address critical educational needs related to mathematical difficulties, particularly focusing on dyscalculia. The prevalence of dyscalculia is significant, ...

Firstly, our primary goal was to create online courses specifically designed for parents of children experiencing difficulties in mathematics, more specifically dyscalculia. The project aimed to enhance their competencies by providing them with appropriate techniques and tools to assist their children in overcoming these difficulties. Secondly, the project sought to develop an online platform to host the course curriculum. This platform aimed to serve as a comprehensive resource for parents, offering not only basic dyscalculia strategies but also facilitating the sharing of experiences among parents. Additional project objectives included the creation of a curriculum for the online courses outlining identification and teaching strategies for children with dyscalculia; development of dyscalculia policies for educational institutions, in the form of a policy paper; to conduct research to obtain the percentage representation of children with dyscalculia in elementary schools Overall, the project aspired to have a lasting impact on the target group—parents of children with dyscalculia—by providing them with valuable resources and support.

The CALCULATE project implemented a series of key activities throughout its duration, structured around transnational meetings, project results, dissemination events, multiplier events (ME), and two Learning, Teaching, and Training Activities (LTTA). Transnational Meetings: 1st Kick-off Meeting: Held initially, this meeting served to introduce project partners, present the GANTT chart outlining project activities, and clarify budget allocations, financial procedures, and responsibilities. 2nd Transnational Meeting: Occurred midway through the project, focusing on the development of the online course and platform. Discussions also encompassed project visibility and the platform's sustainability. 3rd Meeting for Sustainability and Dissemination: Conducted towards the project's end, this meeting addressed upcoming dissemination events crucial for enhancing project visibility and sharing acquired knowledge and skills. Project Results: Research (Project Result 1): Conducted a comprehensive study on dyscalculia and math anxiety, contributing valuable insights to the field. Online Course-Content for Parents (Project Result 2 - "Overcoming Dyscalculia"): Developed an online course to equip parents with effective strategies for supporting children with dyscalculia. Interactive Platform (Project Result 3): Created an interactive online platform housing the developed courses and serving as a collaborative space for parents, including features like blogs, forums, and blended learning. Multiplier Events (ME): ME1 - Dyscalculia and Math Learning Difficulties: Addressed dyscalculia and broader math learning difficulties. ME2 - Overcoming Dyscalculia: Focused on strategies and approaches for overcoming dyscalculia. ME3 - Evidence-Based Strategies for Children with Dyscalculia: Emphasized evidence-based methodologies in supporting children with dyscalculia. Learning, Teaching, and Training Activities (LTTA): 1st Training: Innovative STEAM Pedagogical Tools for Parents: Provided participants with innovative tools to teach math to children. 2nd Training: Training of Trainers (ToT): Equipped participants with the necessary skills for effective project result production. These activities collectively contributed to achieving the project's overarching goals, addressing the needs of parents and children affected by dyscalculia and fostering broader awareness and understanding of math difficulties in the educational context.

The CALCULATE project yielded several tangible and intangible results, contributing significantly to the field of dyscalculia and specific learning difficulties: Tangible Results: Creation of Curriculum: Developed a comprehensive curriculum for online courses, specifically designed to support parents of children with dyscalculia. Interactive Platform: Established an interactive e-learning platform focused on dyscalculia approaches and effective working strategies. Parental Skill Improvement: Enhanced the skills and capabilities of parents, empowering them to provide appropriate support for their children dealing with dyscalculia. Dyscalculia Education Policies: Drafted dyscalculia education policies in the form of a policy paper, providing guidelines for educational institutions. Increased Access: Improved access to dyscalculia tools and materials, facilitating a more supportive learning environment for affected children. New Approaches and Methods: Developed innovative dyscalculia approaches and methods, contributing to advancements in the field of special education. Valuable Data from Research: Conducted research to obtain valuable data about the prevalence of dyscalculia at the elementary school level, informing future strategies and interventions. Intangible Results: Deeper Understanding of Mathematical Skills: Fostered a more profound understanding of differences in mathematical skills acquisition and learning, contributing to inclusive educational practices. Awareness Raising: Raised awareness about dyscalculia and specific learning difficulties among project participants and the broader community. Motivation for Learning in Adults: Increased motivation for learning among adults, particularly parents, as they gained insights into supporting their children effectively. Interest in Supporting Others: Stimulated an increased interest among participants in supporting other students with disabilities, fostering a more inclusive educational community. Enhanced Parental Support: Resulted in increased support from parents for other parents dealing with dyscalculic children, creating a supportive network within the community. In summary, the project's concrete outputs and results encompassed a range of resources, tools, and insights that not only directly benefited parents and children dealing with dyscalculia but also contributed to a broader understanding and awareness of specific learning difficulties in the educational context.