Skip to main content
Article
Playing with maths: implications for early childhood mathematics teaching from an implementation study in Melbourne, Australia
Education 3-13 (2014)
  • Caroline Cohrssen, University of Melbourne
  • Collette Patria Tayler, University of Melbourne
  • Dan Cloney, University of Melbourne
Abstract
The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia governs early childhood education in the years before school in Australia. Since this framework is not a curriculum, early childhood educators report uncertainty regarding what mathematical concepts to teach and how to teach them. This implementation study, positioned within the broader E4Kids study, explored the enactment of a suite of play-based mathematics activities by five early childhood educators in different settings over a seven-month period. The educators' approaches to incorporating the activities are discussed in light of the reported implementation frequency and the duration of activities. A regression analysis predicted significant changes in children's Fluid Intelligence/Reasoning associated with attending high-implementation programmes. Recommendations are made for further investigation of the enactment of mathematics activities in early childhood settings and for the provision of professional learning opportunities that focus on supporting children's concept development as well as their mathematical skills.
Keywords
  • Early childhood,
  • Mathematics,
  • Concept,
  • Formation,
  • Teaching,
  • E4Kids,
  • Early years,
  • Reasoning
Publication Date
2014
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2013.848916
Citation Information
Caroline Cohrssen, Collette Patria Tayler and Dan Cloney. "Playing with maths: implications for early childhood mathematics teaching from an implementation study in Melbourne, Australia" Education 3-13 Vol. 43 Iss. 6 (2014) p. 641 - 652 ISSN: 0300-4279
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/dan-cloney/12/