Mathematics is Everywhere

Mathematics plays a major role in a child’s development and helps children make sense of the world around them.

Pre-prep aged children are beginning to explore patterns and shapes, compare size and count objects.

They unconsciously use a variety of math’s concepts to problem solve and talk about their findings.

Math play is evident in their pretend play, block play, literacy play, outdoor play and pre-writing.

Everyday Concepts

When we talk with children about math’s concepts in everyday activities, it helps them to understand HOW and WHY math’s is useful.

In pre-prep the language of maths is generalised:

Big and small (size)
High and low (height)
Heavy and light (weight)
Fast and slow (speed)
Close and far (distance)
First, second and last (order)

Children learn math’s through the use of concrete materials, also referred to as manipulatives:

Objects; or
Physical resources (they can handle and manipulate to aid their understandings of different math’s concepts) .

Handling and manipulating objects allows them to visualise and understand the math’s which allows them to make sense of that is actually happening.

Concrete Materials

This month in the Pre-prep classroom the children have been using a wide range of concrete materials as part of their intentional teaching experiences.

Lego to build numbers awareness;
Paddle pop stick and paper cups for counting in sequence;
Playdough snakes to explore the concept of longer/shorter;
Coloured animal counters for sorting and categorising;
Match sticks to build 2d shapes; and
Rocks and shells for one-to-one correspondence.

And let’s not forget, one of the main reasons why concrete maths resources play a key role in learning is because they support the mastery style approach.

This means that these resources help children develop a deep knowledge and understanding of vital maths concepts and learn how to use what they know to tackle unfamiliar problems.

That’s all from Miss Patti and the Sea Turtles ( Pingins)

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Mathematics is Everywhere