AGUS inniu, a bhuachailli agus a chailini, pleimis uimhreacha. Catherine Connolly, a primary school teacher for the past 22 years, has created a collection of maths games for junior and senior infant classes. Using drawings of hens, teddy bears, birthday cakes, apple trees, trains, spaceships, a mushroom house and the like, the games "reinforce the basics of children's maths".

The games are now available in book form. They offer variety but repetition also, says Connolly. In the introduction to 30 Maths Games For Lower Primary she explains to teachers: "While playing games children are relaxed and have a good learning disposition. The element of chance allows the less able child to succeed. Those who ordinarily might not enjoy the subject can be involved."

Connolly began to create the games almost nine years ago when she first started teaching at Scoil na nAingeal Naofa in Boyle, Co Roscommon. "I had one child who didn't know her colours. She was very weak. I came across a game in a book and I simplified it. It's the balloon game. I made it especially for her. She just learned her colours then.

A Department inspector suggested that she put the games together in a book. Two years ago she held a workshop at the Carrick-on-Shannon Education Centre and was able to test and discuss her material further with teachers. According to Connolly, there is a shortage of maths material available to teachers of junior and senior infants. Last September her collection of 30 games was printed by Prim-Ed Publishing.