There is a growing interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) units and projects in the early childhood and elementary years. There are many advantages of embedding math in STEM contexts and activities; it can be excellent for reinforcing math (as well as science, technology, and engineering) concepts and skills. However,…

In recent years, there has been increased interest in improving early mathematics curricula and instruction. Subsequently, there has also been a rise in demand for better early mathematics assessments, as most current measures are limited in their content and/or their sensitivity to detect differences in early mathematics development among young…

The authors explore how children's play can support the development of the foundations of mathematics learning and how adults can support children's representation of--and thus the "mathematization" of--their play. The authors review research about the amount and nature of mathematics found in the free play of children. They briefly…

Defines spatial structuring as the mental operation of constructing an organization or form for an object/set of objects. Examines in detail students' structuring and enumeration of two-dimensional rectangular arrays of squares. Concludes that many students do not see row-by-column structure. Describes various levels of sophistication in students'…

The purpose of this research is to chart the mathematical actions-on-objects young children use to compose geometric shapes. The ultimate goal is the creation of a hypothetical learning trajectory based on previous research, as well as instrumentation to assess levels of learning along the developmental progression underlying the trajectory. We…

The measurement and description of polygons and paths by elementary school students was studied from a constructivist point of view. A teaching experiment was devised to promote understanding of length based on the hypothesis that as children coordinate their number concept and their one-dimensional/two-dimensional spatial concepts they gain…

Reviews research on the appropriateness of computer use with young children. Discusses the effects computer use on children's lives, interaction, social and emotional development, learning and thinking in mathematics, and the implications for teachers. (KHR)

Investigates, by conducting individual clinical interviews of 97 children ages 3 to 6, the criteria preschool children use to distinguish members of a class of shapes from other figures, emphasizing identification and descriptions of shapes and reasons for these identifications. Concludes that young children initially form schemas on the basis of…

This article describes how children build increasingly abstract knowledge of linear measurement, emphasizing ways they relate space and number. Assessments indicate children struggle to understand measurement, especially concepts related to complex paths as in perimeter tasks. This article draws on developmental accounts of children's knowledge of…

This study assessed the effects of learning computer programing on children's cognitive style, metacognitive ability, cognitive development, and ability to describe directions. Eighteen children (age six) received one of two 12-week treatments: LOGO computer programing or computer-assisted instruction. Results indicated programing may influence…

The effects of two training sequences on the development of young children's logical operations and number concepts, including rational counting strategies, were investigated. Forty-five preschool children, aged 3.11 to 4.10, were randomly assigned to two treatment groups and one control group. Subjects in the treatment groups received training…

Describes young children's thinking about geometric shapes and discusses implications for teaching and learning. (KHR)

Four-year-old (N=45) children were trained for eight weeks in one of three conditions: (1) logical foundations (classification and seriation); (2) number skills (counting); and (3) control. The experimental treatments were based on the logical foundations model of Piagetian theorists and a skill integration model. (Author/BS)

Discusses misconceptions about constructivism by identifying related myths such as students should always be actively and reflectively constructing, manipulatives make learners active, and cooperative learning is constructivist. One central goal of constructivism should be that students become autonomous and self-motivated in their learning.…

Presented is a study which focused on using turtle graphics programing for geometric problem solving. The goal was to investigate changes in children's mathematical knowledge and results indicate that the LOGO environment enriched children's geometric conceptualizations and sophistication of their geometric thinking. (KR)