What is Early Childhood Mathematics?
When first time posed with this question, i associated Early Childhood Mathematics with introducing students to numbers ; counting 1,2,3 and so on and doing easy addition and subtraction processes. Some of my classmates shared the same view as mine. Here are some concept maps that they have created in response to the question of 'What is early Childhood Mathematics?'
However, as the discussions between my classmates and I progressed, I found that Early Childhood Mathematics does not only involve numbers, additions and subtractions. It also involves other mathematical concepts such as shapes, space, time, chances and data and so on. Some of my classmates shared this idea on their concept maps.
Towards the end of the class on that day, I have come to a consensus that Early Childhood Mathematics is not only about numbers, but it involves other Mathematical concepts as well.
As stated by Perry, Bob, Dockett and Sue (2002):
"It is important for us to not to consider young children as 'empty vessels' or even “leaky vessels” when it comes to their mathematics learning, instead treat all children as capable learners who know a great deal and who can learn a great deal more."
Math Metaphors
Reference:
Perry, Bob and Dockett, Sue. (2002). Ch 5 : Young Children's Access to Powerful Mathematical Ideas in English, Lyn D (ed), Handbook of international research in mathematics education, Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, pp.81-111.
When first time posed with this question, i associated Early Childhood Mathematics with introducing students to numbers ; counting 1,2,3 and so on and doing easy addition and subtraction processes. Some of my classmates shared the same view as mine. Here are some concept maps that they have created in response to the question of 'What is early Childhood Mathematics?'
However, as the discussions between my classmates and I progressed, I found that Early Childhood Mathematics does not only involve numbers, additions and subtractions. It also involves other mathematical concepts such as shapes, space, time, chances and data and so on. Some of my classmates shared this idea on their concept maps.
Towards the end of the class on that day, I have come to a consensus that Early Childhood Mathematics is not only about numbers, but it involves other Mathematical concepts as well.
As stated by Perry, Bob, Dockett and Sue (2002):
"It is important for us to not to consider young children as 'empty vessels' or even “leaky vessels” when it comes to their mathematics learning, instead treat all children as capable learners who know a great deal and who can learn a great deal more."
Math Metaphors
We were given some metaphors of what learning Mathematics is like. It took me some time to understand and relate some of the suggested metaphors to my mathematics learning experience. Among all of the listed metaphors given, I was able to relate some of them to my math learning experience; recipe , jungle, and jigsaw.
1. Learning mathematics is like learning a new cooking recipe where the teacher or books give step-by-step instructions and we just follow them.
- There are many formulas involved in learning mathematics. Just like step by step instructions in a recipe, the formulas direct us to find solutions for any math problems.
2. Mathematics is like a jungle because the ideas are all jumbled up.
- Different people have different ways and approaches to solve a particular math problem. We won't be able to see these differences unless we are given explanation about them.
3. Mathematics is like a jigsaw because the ideas fit neatly and beautifully together.
-When applying the right concepts and to the right problems, there are always definite answers in mathematics.
1. Learning mathematics is like learning a new cooking recipe where the teacher or books give step-by-step instructions and we just follow them.
- There are many formulas involved in learning mathematics. Just like step by step instructions in a recipe, the formulas direct us to find solutions for any math problems.
2. Mathematics is like a jungle because the ideas are all jumbled up.
- Different people have different ways and approaches to solve a particular math problem. We won't be able to see these differences unless we are given explanation about them.
3. Mathematics is like a jigsaw because the ideas fit neatly and beautifully together.
-When applying the right concepts and to the right problems, there are always definite answers in mathematics.
Reference:
Perry, Bob and Dockett, Sue. (2002). Ch 5 : Young Children's Access to Powerful Mathematical Ideas in English, Lyn D (ed), Handbook of international research in mathematics education, Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, pp.81-111.
1 comment:
Thank you for sharing your metaphors. I wonder if these metaphors will change over the semester.
Post a Comment