Week 12

Patterns & Algebra

Do early childhood learners learn about algebra? I would not have said yes, until I attended today’s workshop. Yes, they do! Taylor-Cox (2003) claims that it is never too early for young children to start thinking in terms of algebra. Instead, we do need to offer young children a solid foundation of algebraic thinking. Algebra has long served both as a gate and a barrier for students (Lott 2000). Therefore, we can prepare students to be successful in algebra if we begin teaching them to think algebraically in the early years.

The central ideas promoted in the national algebra standard for young children are (1) patterns, (2) mathematical situations and structures, (3) models of quantitative relationships, and (4) change (NCTM 2000, as cited in Taylor-Cox, 2003).

From the workshop activities that we have done, it could be seen that Algebra in the Early Childhood focuses more on patterns; recognizing, describing, extending, and translating patterns. Working with patterns invites young children to identify relationships and form generalizations (NCTM 2000, as cited in Taylor-Cox, 2003).

One of the activities that we did in the workshop was creating patterns. The purpose of this activity was to engage students in focusing on ‘What comes next after the pattern?’. Being able to describe these regular relationships leads to predicting how the pattern will continue. In my opinion, for young children, recognizing that patterns are predictable is an important Mathematical idea. In addition, having students to explain why that pattern comes after the next pattern is a good way to encourage students to interact as well as to think critically as it will enhance their prior Mathematical knowledge.

Creating patterns

Having to do this 'creating patterns' activity brought me back to the first few weeks of the semester where we learned about the beginning processes where students sort the objects according to their attributes and making pattern like 'repeating patterns' and 'growing patterns'.

Growing patterns

Reference:

Taylor-Cox, J. (2003). Algebra in the early years? Yes!. Young Children, 58(1), 14-21.