Early Childhood Mathematics Research Articles

Playing Mathematics in Early Childhood Based on Semiotics

Playing mathematics in early childhood based on semiotics gives children the opportunity to identify objects, look for signs and interpret signs so that they can solve problems in games. This study aims to describe semiotic based early childhood mathematics play activities. The research was conducted at the PAUD Lab School, Muhammadiyah University of Jember. The research subjects were 5 children from group B. The results showed that the activities of playing mathematics in early childhood based on semiotics were (1) collecting information related to semiotic-based math games, (2) looking for objects that matched the game and counting the number of objects found, (3) looking for relevant signs and signs. that are relevant to the number of objects found, (4) associated with signs of knowledge that have been previously possessed and look for all signs according to the objects found, (5) the child retells the play that has been done

Increasing the Number Sense Understanding of Preschool Students With ASD

Teaching children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) academic skills supports their future opportunities. For example, early number sense skills are predictive of future mathematical success for all children including children with ASD. Yet, research on foundational early childhood mathematics skills of children with ASD is limited. This study used an adapted version of Number Talks to increase the number sense skills of preschool children with ASD. Number Talks is a constructivist approach that was combined with systematic instruction (i.e., system of least prompts and modeling) in this study. A multiple probe across participants design established a functional relation between using an adapted version of Number Talks and the early number sense skills of preschool children with ASD. Findings suggest using an adapted version of Number Talks can increase the early number sense skills of preschool children with ASD. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Experience of Participation in Educational Community in Early Childhood Mathematics Education Using Storytelling and its Meaning

Experience of Participation in Educational Community in Early Childhood Mathematics Education Using Storytelling and its Meaning

문제중심학습(PBL) 기반 4D 프레임을 활용한 유아수학교육 수업이 예비유아교사의 수학교과교육학 지식, 수학교수 효능감 및 창의적 태도에 미치는 영향

본 연구는 문제중심학습(PBL) 교수법으로 4D 프레임을 활용한 유아수학교육 수업이 예비유아교사의 수학교과교육학 지식, 수학교수 효능감 및 창의적 태도에 효과가 있는지 알아보기 위해 수행되었다. 연구대상은 3년제 대학 유아교육과 2학년 학생 46명이며, PBL기반 4D 프레임 활용하여 수업을 진행한 실험집단(22명)과 일반 강의식 수업을 진행한 비교집단(24명)으로 구성 하였다. 연구 절차는 PBL 문제 개발 및 수업 안 개발, 사전검사, 실험처치, 사후검사 순으로 이루어졌다. 수업의 효과를 분석하기 위해 SPSS 23.0 통계프로그램으로 공변량 분석(ANCOVA)을 실시하였으며 연구결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 예비유아교사의 수학교과교육학 지식에서 집단 간 유의미한 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 둘째, 수학교수 효능감, 창의적 태도에서는 실험집단이 유의미하게 점수가 높은 것으로 나타났다. 이를 통해 PBL 기반 4D 프레임을 활용한 유아수학교육 수업이 예비유아교사의 수학교수 효능감, 창의적 태도 증진에 효과적인 교수방법이 될 수 있음을 제안한다.

호주 국가교육과정, 미국 NCTM의 CFP, 2019 개정누리과정의 유아수학교육 비교연구

본 연구는 국가수준 유아수학교육과정 동향을 파악하여 앞으로 유아수학교육 발전을 위한 방향성을 제시하고자 ACARA(Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority), NCTM의 CFP(Curriculum Focal Points), 2019 개정누리과정의 유아수학교육을 분석·비교해 보았다. 그 결과 첫째, ACARA와 NCTM의 CFP는 유아수학교육의 목표를 기본적인 수학개념에 대한 이해와 학령기 수학학습의 기초를 다지는 것으로 설정하고 있으며, 개정누리과정은 유아의 주체적 수학적 탐구 ‘과정’에 중점을 두고 있다. 둘째, ACARA와 NCTM의 CFP의 수학교육 내용은 수와 연산, 대수(패턴), 기하(공간), 측정, 자료분석과 확률로 내용이 구성되어 있는 반면 개정누리과정은 과학과 함께 수학적 경험을 제안하는 내용이 자연탐구 영역에서 서술적으로 제시되어 있다. 셋째, ACARA와 NCTM의 CFP는 유아기를 포함한 전 학령기의 수학교육과정 목표와 내용이 유기적으로 연계되어 있는 반면 개정누리과정과 교육부령 수학교육과정은 목표와 내용이 분절적으로 제시되어 있어 계열성 있는 수학교육과정이 요구된다.

Developing Mathematics Teaching in Kindergarten

The emphasis on teaching mathematics in early childhood and the change in the responsibilities of pre-school teachers have emphasized the need for creating new and accommodated tools that can provide teachers with solid foundation and methodical knowledge. This article demonstrates how a well-structured activity database can empower early-childhood teachers to engage children in a wide range of mathematical activities, and give them a sense of competence and self-confidence. The program was tested in 18 kindergartens. The study method was qualitative, employing the following tools: Semi-structured interviews and Observations. As a result, these teachers engage the children in mathematical activities more frequently and are more inclined to attempt a variety of new teaching methods.

Analysis of Teachers' Research Trends in Early Childhood Mathematics Education

Analysis of Teachers' Research Trends in Early Childhood Mathematics Education

Designing a Rich Numeracy Task in Early Childhood Mathematics Education: Teaching Addition in a Kindergarten in Macao

This paper presents an overview of the first cycle of collaborative action research of a kindergarten teacher who with the help of a university researcher, has designed a rich tool-based numeracy task for K3 children at a kindergarten in Macao. The rich numeracy task coupled with a tailor-made physical tool allows the children to investigate a model of addition with the manipulation of the critical selection of number cards by paying attention to a combination of corresponding numbers. Major data sources were documents, classroom observation, reflective dialogues between the two classroom teachers and with the university researcher. The results indicate that this rich tool-based task not only facilitates children’s numeracy development but also promotes the development of other domains, such as social and linguistic development. Mathematical concepts, such as sum of three single digit numbers, are prominently emerged in the implementation of the rich numeracy task. This first cycle illustrates that the purposive design of rich tasks, coupled with appropriate artefacts for kindergarten children, is beneficial for promoting children’s comprehensive development. It can also serve as an example to create rich numeracy tasks in early childhood mathematics education for kindergarten teachers to develop teaching strategies corresponding to the education reform in Macao.

Analysis on Research Trend of Storytelling in Early Childhood and Elementary Mathematics Education

Analysis on Research Trend of Storytelling in Early Childhood and Elementary Mathematics Education

Movement and Song Idiom Traditional to Enhance Early Mathematical Skills: Gelantram Audio-visual Learning Media

Movement and Song Idiom Traditional to Enhance Early Mathematical Skills: Gelantram Audio-visual Learning Media

Purposeful problem solving practices in Te Kākano

Mathematical learning is an integral part of early childhood education (ECE). In Aotearoa New Zealand there is a range of valuable curriculum resources including Te Kākano, a “living, evolving” framework of purposeful activities, to assist teachers to notice and respond to mathematics learning. This article aims to contribute towards this evolution by suggesting mathematical problem solving become more explicitly embedded within Te Kākano. This would be one way of keeping mathematical practices at the forefront of early childhood mathematics education supporting children to be creative mathematical problem solvers as they develop early understandings of mathematics symbol systems and technologies.

An ontology of off-task behavior in a number activity: The body, space-time, and mathematics

This article aims to interrogate the Cartesian rationality determining current early childhood mathematics by highlighting the irrational aspect of mathematics learning, which is usually underemphasized and even devalued by the dominant discourse. Using Deleuze and Guattari’s concept of refrain as the method, the article explores the unfolding emergence of a child’s off-task behavior in a number activity as it conceptualizes the child’s body in relation to its surroundings. The article also explores how this conceptualization of off-task behavior helps to rethink mathematical ability and conceptual construction in responding to and elaborating on research on embodied mathematics. Based on these explorations, the article hopes to contribute a strategy for the vision of adopting a more democratic manner in mathematics learning.

Using an Adapted Lesson Study with Early Childhood Undergraduate Students

ABSTRACT This study examined the impact of an Adapted Lesson Study Project (ALSP), an undergraduate course assignment, utilized for field-experience, on teaching efficacy, and the quality of lessons developed by pre-service teachers. Participants consisted of 23 undergraduate early childhood education students enrolled in an early childhood mathematics and science education course. The study used a mixed-methods model. Results of a paired samples t-test on the Sense of Teaching efficacy survey indicated significant differences in the sub-categories of instructional strategies and student engagement from pre- to post-participation in the ALSP. Lesson plans were quantitatively evaluated using a rubric developed to assess lesson quality. Lesson observation, reflection, and revision notes were analyzed using content analysis. Results indicated the ALSP, which included iterative collaborative and reflective practices, improved teaching efficacy and the quality of lessons. The study provides a viable methodology for the inclusion of Lesson Study processes within short-term field-based projects in teacher preparation programs.

An investigation into mathematics-related pedagogical content knowledge of preschool educators based on institution typev

This study aimed to investigate the level of mathematics-related pedagogical knowledge of educators working in preschool institutions. This descriptive study included 153 participants working as educators at preschool institutions affiliated to the Turkish Ministry of National Education or operated independently (private), or at kindergartens affiliated to the Turkish Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services (MFLSS). The educators’ knowledge levels were examined using the “Pedagogical Content Knowledge in Early Childhood Mathematics Education” scale, which was developed by Smith (1998) and adapted to the Turkish context by Aksu and Kul (2017). The scale consists of 15 items with 6 dimensions focused on numbers, patterns, sorting, shapes, spatial perception, and comparison. SPSS version 23 statistical software was used to analyze the data. The results of the study suggested that the pedagogical levels of the educators were low. Educators working at kindergartens operated by the MFLSS had significantly lower levels of pedagogical knowledge than educators working at other institutions, and the education level of those working at state preschools were higher than those working at other kindergartens.

Head Start educators’ conceptions of early childhood mathematics teaching and learning

ABSTRACT Given the recent attention on early childhood mathematics education, it is important to understand how early childhood educators conceptualize the work of mathematics teaching and learning. This article describes a study of preschool educators’ conceptions of mathematics teaching and learning in the context of a multi-year professional development project at two Head Start preschool centers. In particular, I examined how participants in this study perceived their roles in mathematics teaching and learning, and how their conceptions demonstrated awareness of children’s ways of thinking and learning in play. I found that educators’ conceptions converged around three themes of practice: 1) engaging and nurturing, 2) noticing children’s mathematical activity, and 3) guiding children’s mathematical learning. These conceptions shed new light on the promises and challenges of professional development aimed at improving mathematics teaching and learning in early childhood education.

Mathematics education beliefs and practices of Under 3s educators in Australia

ABSTRACT There is general agreement that young children are capable of accessing mathematical ideas and should be given the opportunity to do so in their early childhood educational settings. However, existing research has established a range of challenges for early childhood mathematics education; in particular, related to educators’ confidence and competence in teaching mathematics. This article presents data from a national survey to address the research question: What are the mathematics education beliefs and practices of Under 3s educators in Australia? Findings from a sample of 195 respondents currently working in an Under 3s educational setting are reported in relation to three themes: 1. Educators’ understandings and self-understandings; 2. Educators’ skills and capabilities; and 3. Educators’ values and norms. In contrast to existing research that indicates low self-efficacy in mathematics among early childhood educators, this sample of Australian educators report positive self-understandings in relation to mathematics. They report high levels of comfort in their mathematics education practice, and appear to be perceptive of the range of mathematical ideas with which babies and toddlers engage. Moreover, educators appear to be comfortable in gaining ideas from babies and toddlers, which is an important practice contributing towards meaningful mathematics education for these young children.

Culture in Early Childhood Mathematics

Early childhood practitioners consider practical strategies to innovate mathematics through cultural responsiveness and funds of knowledge.

Booked on Math: Developing Math Concepts in Pre-K Classrooms Using Interactive Read-Alouds

This paper outlines the development and implementation of a ten-week micro-curriculum, Booked on Math, designed to introduce preschool children to foundational mathematics concepts through interactive read-alouds. The Booked on Math curricula includes ten book readings and associated inquiry-based lesson plans. Booked on Math read-alouds and lesson plans were implemented across six preschool classrooms over a ten-week period in a university-based early childcare center. A total of 74 pre-kindergarten students participated in the project with four classrooms receiving the Booked on Math intervention and two classrooms serving as the control group. Pre- and post-test data on student learning outcomes were collected across seven Teaching Strategies GOLD (TS GOLD) mathematical constructs (counts, quantifies, connects numerals with quantity, spatial relationships, shapes, compares and measures, and knowledge of patterns). Results indicated statistically significant differences in treatment group post-test data for three TS GOLD constructs: (1) quantifies, (2) shapes, and (3) spatial relationships. Additional regression analyses indicated two TS GOLD constructs: (1) quantifies and (2) knowledge of patterns were significant predictors of children’s post-test outcomes after controlling for covariates (e.g., age and gender). To conclude, implications of the study and future research opportunities related to leveraging interactive read-alouds to teach early childhood mathematics concepts are discussed.

Research on early childhood mathematics teaching and learning

This paper reports an overview of contemporary research on early childhood mathematics teaching and learning presented at recent mathematics education research conferences and papers included in the special issue (2020–4) of ZDM Mathematics Education. The research covers the broad spectrum of educational research focusing on different content and methods in teaching and learning mathematics among the youngest children in the educational systems. Particular focus in this paper is directed to what lessons can be drawn from teaching interventions in early childhood, what facilitates children’s mathematical learning and development, and what mathematical key concepts can be observed in children. Together, these themes offer a coherent view of the complexity of researching mathematical teaching and learning in early childhood, but the research also brings this field forward by adding new knowledge that extends our understanding of aspects of mathematics education and research in this area, in the dynamic context of early childhood. This knowledge is important for future research and for the development of educational practices.

The Role of Parents at Mathematics Learning Innovation in Early Education

In digital era, it is possible for the term "home education" which presents the role of the family to the childhood education. The development of children's mathematics involved role of parents lies, so a mechanism needs to be established about the importance of mathematics learning in the early years and its forms about mathematical activities for children. Learning mathematics in early childhood connects the use of formative values, namely observation, assignments, and interviews for planned teaching. Pedagogical practice focuses on the involvement of children in games, reading stories/picture books, doing project work, and learning mathematics through art or physics. This gives the explanation that children in early education with their settings involve mathematical ideas. This research aims to provide solutions and ideas for parents in teaching children of early age (0-3) years old on mathematics. This research also provides an explanation of parental involvement in teaching mathematics by playing together and preparing children to face mathematics at the next level. The research method used is based on field research, literature studies, and observations. Report of evaluation and observation provide good results with the use of one of the learning methods, namely the montessori method. It also gives an explanation of the importance of togetherness of children and parents in learning mathematics without eliminating children's play time.