Increasing the Learning Result of Early Mathematics Odd and Even Numbers through Montessori "Cards and Counters" Activity: A Quasi-experimental Study

Purpose – This study aims to obtain information about the effect of using the Montessori cards and counters’ mathematics activity on learning the result of odd and even numbers of 1 to 10 to the kindergarten students at the age of 4 to 5 years.Design/methods/approach – Quantitative research with a quasi-experimental model of non-equivalent control group design was carried out by applying conventional methods (lectures and giving questions by worksheets) to the control group and applying the Montessori learning model through the use of Cards and Counters apparatus in the experimental group with 30 samples of students, divided into two classes (control class and experiment class) at Kalyca Azzahra School, West Java, Indonesia.Findings – The result showed that students who used the Montessori Mathematics cards and counters achieved higher mathematics odd and even numbers are learning results than those who were not taught with the Montessori approach.Research implications/limitations – This research design used pre-test and post-test. Thus, the treatment results can be more accurate because they can be compared before and after treatment.Practical implications – The use of the Montessori apparatus becomes necessary in introducing early mathematics to children and attracting children’s attention to learn and facilitate teachers in teaching mathematics. Displaying the concrete objects as a medium will help teachers in teaching early mathematics to children. The cards and counters allow children to verify their understanding of the concept by matching the qualitative, concrete, quantitative, or abstract before slowly removing the concrete altogether.Originality/value – This research contributes to understanding learning strategies used in Early Mathematics, Odd and Even Numbers. The Montessori apparatus becomes more natural to understand it by the child’s cognitive development effortlessly. Paper type Research paper

Early Mathematics Learning and Teaching in Chinese Preschools: A Content Analysis of Teaching Reference Books for Preschool Teachers

Since the 1980s, Chinese children have consistently been found to perform well in mathematics in cross-national studies of academic achievement. This study is one of the first to systematically examine Chinese children’s early mathematics learning experiences through a content analysis of eight sets of preschool teacher’s teaching reference books that are commonly used in China. A total of 2038 mathematics activities were selected from these classic teaching reference books and analyzed in terms of (i) suggested teaching approaches, (ii) the mathematical concepts covered, and (iii) their integration of a problem-solving component. The results showed that early mathematics teaching in Chinese preschools emphasize the mastery of key mathematical concepts and skills, while less attention is paid to the application of these key concepts in real-life and non-routine problem-solving settings. Collective teaching was found to be the major teaching mode for early mathematics activities in Chinese preschools, with teachers playing a leading role in the collective teaching activities described in the reference books. However, the teacher’s role is not described in detail in the learning corner activities, and few activities were found to integrate a problem-solving component. The implications of these findings for early mathematics education and the need for a more comprehensive review of mathematics education from the pre-primary to secondary stages are discussed.

Early Mathematics Learners’ Numerical Errors: Consequence of Poor Learners’ Comprehension and Teachers’ Instructions

While the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still considered as a pandemic in recent human history, evidence from World Health Organization (2021) so far has recorded a total of 116,521,281 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 2,589,548 as a total of deaths from over 215 countries or territories worldwide. Recognizing that COVID-19 is not only pandemic since March 11, 2020, but spreading worldwide at unprecedented rate, number of sectors including schools and universities as a measure to minimize person-to-person transmission closed their services. Such an uncertain closure warranted restructuring of services provided by schools and universities. The challenges therefore have necessitated the current research to investigate and alleviate challenges brought about by the COVID-19. In essence, the present research’s aim was to report on early mathematics learners (foundation phase) numerical errors, which is as a consequence of poor learners’ comprehension and teachers’ instructions. Based on the aim, the study was positioned within a cognitive theory in order to examine processing of numerical competence among early mathematics learners. A case study via 80 grade 3 learners with ages 8 and 9 was sampled. A textual analysis was used in unpacking and de-contextualizing processing of numerical competence by early mathematics learners. The evidence revealed learners’ mathematical mistakes were caused from limited reading skills and ill-presented problems via teachers. Due to the need to teach children at home (home school) due to the COVID-19, it is hoped that the findings thus assist audience, including non-academic and parents, who grapple with poor instructions coupled with poor learners’ comprehension.

Pembinaan Instrumen Pencapaian Awal Matematik untuk Kanak-kanak Prasekolah

Kajian ini adalah membina instrumen untuk mengukur pencapaian awal matematik untuk kanak-kanak prasekolah. Dalam membina instrumen ini, penyelidik telah memilih kaedah konsistensi dalaman menggunakan Model Rasch. Dua set instrumen pencapaian awal Matematik kanak-kanak prasekolah diadaptasikan daripada Test of Early Mathematics Ability (TEMA) (Ginsburg dan Baroody, 2003) berdasarkan Kurikulum Standard Prasekolah Kebangsaan. Instrumen-instrumen ini merupakan ujian pra dan ujian pasca yang boleh digunakan untuk mengenal pasti kesan intervensi Matematik. Data kajian diperoleh melalui kaedah temu bual dan pemerhatian tulisan kanak-kanak yang seterusnya diterjemahkan kepada data kuantitatif. Kesemua item dalam kajian ini mempunyai kesahan konstruk iaitu berada dalam lingkungan 0.77 dan 1.30 semasa kajian rintis dijalankan.

Supporting Young Children’s Development of Executive Function Through Early Mathematics

Early childhood teachers face competing instructional priorities to support specific academic skills and general skills that underlie learning, such as executive function (EF) skills that allow children to control their own thinking and behavior. As the evidence shows, EF skills predict later mathematics achievement, and early mathematics predicts later EF. These relations between mathematics and EF suggest high-quality mathematics teaching has a dual benefit: Teachers can promote children’s math and EF competencies by embedding support for EF in high-quality mathematics activities. Children benefit when guided to reflect on solutions and alternative strategies, and teachers benefit from guidance on how to support both math and EF. Finally, research on teachers developing both domains can inform educational policy.