Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/early-math-its-more-than-numbers/5015142/
In the debate about whether preschoolers are too young for math or should be taught counting and basic arithmetic before school entry, the most defensible position is in the middle. Young children's natural curiosity about math arises in their everyday play and work. Our job is to provide them with appropriate words, materials, and experiences. To do this, we must recognize that math is more than numbers and rote counting. Children's investigations into size, quantity, categorization, patterns, space, speed, and sequence are all aspects of early math learning.Young children vary widely in their thinking about math. The following incident, which took place at the High/Scope Demonstration Preschool in Ypsilanti, Michigan, is a good illustration:
Nine children aged three to five were having snacks with their teacher. They passed around a bowl filled with a mixture of toasted O's, raisins, and pretzel sticks, serving themselves with a large spoon. Five-year-old Jessie placed two spoonsful on her plate before giving the bowl to three-year-old Maya. "Take two spoons," Jessie advised, "so there's enough." Maya proceeded to fill her plate to overflowing and passed the still ample bowl to the next person. Jessie commented to the teacher, "Wow, you made a lot." "Yes," answered ...