Play is traditionally considered the foundation of learning in the early years. Because play is characterized by free choice, it can be difficult for adults to ensure all learning is useful for children. The intervention described here took a novel approach to this problematic. It exposed 17 four-year-olds to different adult demonstrations to see…

Surprisingly little is known about the extent of children's knowledge about number beyond their ability to recite, read and write numbers and count quantities of objects. There is little information on the extent to which children are aware of how number is used in their everyday environment or of how much they gain from such early exposure. The…

Examined early mathematics learning in Singaporean preschoolers and kindergartners, as well as preschool teachers' teaching styles and materials. Findings suggest that crucial factors in early mathematics learning include (1) the provision of opportunities for children to reflect on their observations; and (2) adults' warmth expressed in…