Children Are Born Mathematicians

Book excerpt: Developed to address the new NCTM focal points, which use a chronological approach to thinking about what should be taught in early childhood mathematics. The book views mathematics as a developmental and constructive process in which the teacher acts as an instructor and facilitator. The book takes a "3 E" approach to thinking about how math is presented to each age group. For infants and toddlers, best introduced and presented through interaction with the environment so designing a mathematically active and interactive classroom should be the focus. For Preschool and Kindergarten children, mathematics is best learned through experiences with materials or projects in the classroom. For grade school children, more traditional educational experiences become more developmentally appropriate in combination with environment and experience.The approach is to see math as a developmental process that children engage in as they grow and develop. The teacher's role is to promote concept understanding and development through active experiences and questioning techniques in combination with teaching skills in developmentally appropriate ways."