The current emphasis on STEM learning draws attention to the
importance of math in the early years. New research suggests that early math
skills predict later academic success with greater accuracy than early reading
skills. But how do you implement a developmentally appropriate math program in
preschool?
Because many
early childhood teachers feel poorly prepared to teach mathematics they fall
back on traditional methods like rote counting and memorization. This may work
if you’re looking for immediate results. However, what children really need to
build a secure mathematical foundation is a hands-on understanding for the
basic concepts of math: relationships of objects in space, linking numbers to
objects, patterns, sorting, and shapes.
It sounds
complicated but it is probably already happening naturally in your classroom—through play. The
teacher’s role is to support further exploration by providing materials that
extend the learning opportunities.
“One way of
picturing this,” writes Pradnya Patet, “is to use mathematical vocabulary: the
teacher’s task is to add, subtract,
multiply, and divide appropriate resources in a way that will encourage the
children to problem-solve on their own.” How might this look in your classroom?
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