me ECE 222 MATHS IN ECEMaths is the study of such topics as quantity, structure, space and shape. Maths developed from counting, calcilation, measurement and the systematic study of the shapes and motion of physical object. Numeracy: this is the ability to access, use, interpret and communicate mathematical information and ideas in order to engage in and manage the mathematical demands of various situations in adult life Early Numeracy: this refers to the foundation ‘of mathematical reasoning acquired in early childhood Pre-maths: this refers to maths skills learned by ‘pre-schoolers, including learning to count numbers, and leaming the proper sequencing of numbers Mathematical skills needed by children in early years > Number sense: this is the ability to count accurately, first forward’and later backward ds children grow older » Representation: this is making maths idea real by using words, pictures, symbols and object e.g, building blocks, counters ete > Spatial sense: this is geometry in the carly years. It is simply the introduction of shapes, sizes, space, position, movement, e.g. pushing the swing back and forth > Measurement: this is finding the length, height} weight of an object using units, like inches, ete. Note that in the early years. Measurement is limited to helping children learn to fill a measuring can with water, sugar, salt, sand ete > Estimation: this is the ability to make a good guess about the amount or size of something. In ECE, estimation is reduced to understanding the meanings of words like,less, greater than, smaller, bigger, equal etcOre ae this refers to things like numbers, shapes and images that > Patterns: continues in a logical wag. Patterns help children to make predictions ‘0 understand what comes next, to make logical connections and use Teasoning skills » Problem solving: this is the ability to think through a problem. It means using logical thinking to find answers 1.2 Importance of mathematical skills in the early years * Tthelps children to develop logical thinking * Tt helps children to develop reasoning strategies in their everyday life * Tt helps children to solve problems and make sense of numbers, Patterns and shapes for activities like cooking, reading etc * Ithelps children to gain the foundational skills necessary to achieve uccess in life © Itmakes it easy for children to access the broader curriculum * Itprepares children for future employment 1.3 How to foster early maths skills in children ® Shape: Playing with shape sorter, talking to children about different types of shapese.g helping them to count the sides of different shapes e.g triangle has 3 sides, square has 4 sizes, helping them to differentiate between shapes, describing the shapes, encouraging them to make their own shapes and telling them to do something with it, help in fostering, early maths skills in children. > Counting and sorting: helping children to gather different types of toys, e.g, counters, legos, cowries ete and encouraging children to ze, likeness, etc count and sort based on shapes, sithis can be done by encouraging children to notice the > Using size: sizes of objects around them and helping them to describe using words like, less, greater, equal, bigger etc Using sand and water play: this can be done by encouraging children to fill, to stir,to build and pour. Through these activities, they learn yy naturally to count, add, estimate and measure exploring the environment: this gives children the opportunity to v access and evaluate, make judgement, compare similarities and differences and estimate distance Picture time: this can be done by the use of stop watch or time to time 7 short activities. This help child to develop a sense of timing and to understand that some things take longer than the other The use of calendar: using the calendar to talk about the date, i.e date Vv of the week, months of the year, reinforces counting skills in children » Block: encouragingchildren to play with wooden blocks, plastic blocks,empty boxes, milk carton,etc playing and manipulating, these objects helps children to understand. different shapes and the relationships that exist among shapes 1.4 Purpose of maths skills in children » Maths skills is taught in the early years to provide children with the necessary foundation needed to succeed in the elementary school and beyond > Maths skills in the early years provide children the building block for their entire academic career > Maths skills in the early years builds children’s confidence » Maths skills also serves as a tool that helps children to clarify, match and sort objects according to their attributes » Maths skills also serve to help children develop communicative skills> Maths skills also help children develop quantitative reasoning and time management. 1.5 How children learn maths » Children learn maths with concrete material, such as Legos, counters, Match sticks, cowries, ete in order to make sense of mathematical concepts. This heips them to connect to their abstract maths symbols e.g. tee > Children equally need plenty of time to play with and manipulate these objects before teacher can meaningfully use them to teach match concept > Children learn maths with meaningful vocabulary as it is important for them to link maths concept with their everyday experiences and language 1-6 How parents can help foster maths skills in their children > Com ing objects and describing which object is longer, shorter, heavier, or light Playing with and describing 2D and 3D shapes Vv Describing where things are positioned. For example, north, outside, under, behind, above, opposite ete Describing, copying and extending patterns found in everyday situation Saying number names forward in sequence to 10nand 20 and beyond it vvv Using numbers to describe and compare collections v Matching number names, symbols and quantities up to 10 2.1 Teaching writing and counting/ number recognition The following steps can be followed in teaching how to write > Step 1: holding the pencil Children must be taught on how to hold the peneil appropriatelythe use of short pencils and this can be This can be done by encouragi followed by teaching them the pinch and flip ie having children pinch the sharpened end of the pencil > Step 2: scribbling The 2! stage is encouraging children to engage in scribbling in order to develop their fine moto skill and hand eye coordination that is essential for writing > Step 3 Joining the dotted lines This 'S encouraged to basically improve the child's eye /hand coordination. Dotted lines can look like this The lines are to be joined together > Step 4: tracing This is the stage where children are encouraged to trace the dotted lines. > Stage 5: copy This is the stage where the teacher allows children to independently copy what they had spent time/days tracing2.2 Teaching counting/Number recognition Step 1 Start by the child knowing his/her number eg. count and colour i1® Copy and say | 1 1 1 | = 2. Copy and say |Step 2 Use everyday objects as representation you have all that you need to teach mathematics around you. E.g, fruits, cowries, match sticks, match boxes, counters, books, ed’s ete.. maths is easier -e and touch what they are to count. ally s for children when they can phys Step 3 Work on number recognition e.g. fill in the missing numbers fo) fe ah Es) (12)1Aaggo700™ Count and write the correct numberStep 4 Use shapes The i y are important to understand geometry. Show them shapes and help them to name it Square Rectangle Triangle Step 5 Ask estimated question e.g how much water will fill your cup? How long do you think it will take you to fill the water? 3.0 The lesson Note Assignment 1 Do a lesson note in mathematics with an appropriate topic for nursery 1 pupils. Date ‘Name of school. eee etcetera ciate Ree: yo — Z S Matric mumber..----079°°7 oe . 7 rR Ne Se’ Subject.- iz Topic... SubtopicPrevious knowledge. Instructional objectives, Tnstructional materials Reference materials...............0+ Lesson content.............0++ Lesson procedure...- Stage |.- stage 2---- Stage 3 Stage 4-- Stage 5.Lesson evaluation... Comments... Assignment 2 Using pictures and symbols, prepare 10 counting activities that will aid pupil's recognition and mastery of numbers "Feaching children Addition Helping children understand the concept of addition will place their academic life on a firm footing. Steps to achieving this > Step 1 i ith addition symbol ei) S33 Familiarize children with > Step 2 Introduce children (© the concept of (all together, put together, how many 8 ntroduce total) © © OO Om How many circles are ther’ tl eall togetherStep 3 Use object jects that children are fe hat children are familiar with and can be handled easily to demonstrate a v Phis ii - addition work. This is because, children respond well to visual tools thet they can relate with How many are the objects? Step 4 Provide children 2/3 sinall groups of items. e.g, a group of 2 black and a group of 3 blocks and have children to count the blocks in each groups. Also, have thern combine the 2 groups of objects and count the total number of blocks Step 5 provide children with a set of number of objects eg 8 toys and ask children how many ways they can combine groups of toys to make 8 teys Step 6 Use games e.g dice Step 7 and teach money skills Use coins /money to practice addition