There is growing interest in mathematics learning progressions in early childhood education. Counting is a skill usually developed early in life. The application of the counting principles in early childhood typically entails counting objects. This poses challenges for learning about zero. Indeed, the word "zero" is seldom used in the…

In two studies, we investigated whether using three-dimensional (3D) manipulatives during assessment aided performance on a variety of preschool mathematics tasks compared to pictorial representations. On measures of children's understanding of counting and cardinality (n = 103), there was no difference in performance between manipulatives and…

The conceptual development of natural number in preschoolers is well-researched. However, less is known about the conceptual development of zero. Recent studies suggest that children develop an understanding of zero after learning to count. It remains unclear, when a conceptual understanding of "zero" as number word for an empty set…

The aim of this study is to deepen the understanding of how preschool teachers can use representations of different kinds to bring fore the mathematical content that may be afforded in pictures and narrative designed for numerical learning purposes. Seventy-three video documentations of reading sessions with 27 toddlers (1-3 years of age) over the…

In this article, we direct attention to what becomes critical in teaching activities for toddlers (1-3-year-olds) to learn the meaning of numbers. One activity we thoroughly explore is interactive book reading, based on previous research indicating positive learning outcomes from this type of mathematical activity, as it has shown to…

State Early Learning Standards (ELS) are multi-function tools that inform early childhood instruction and practices. Using an established framework of early numerical development, this study assessed the prevalence of number, number relations, and number operations indicators in ELS, specifically indicators of counting, numeral knowledge,…

In this study, we investigated prospective secondary mathematics teachers' development of a meaning for the Cartesian form of complex numbers by examining the roots of quadratic equations through quantitative reasoning. Data included transcripts of the two sessions of classroom teaching experiments prospective teachers participated in, written…

The research aims at examining the counting skills of children in the preschool period. For this purpose, this study has been planned according to the "survey model". The study group of the research is comprised of 108 children with ages between 60th-72nd months, who attend kindergartens. The "Counting Skills Test" has been…

The Numeracy Kit for Kindergarten 5-Year-Olds (NyKK-5) is a tool to support kindergarten teachers' numeracy practices. Based on a pedagogy of enactment, the NyKK-5 was designed to simulate the types of in-class supports that have been identified as critical elements of effective mathematics professional development (PD). Two groups of teachers…

This study was to determine how teacher candidates perceive zero. In this study, which used the case study method from qualitative research approaches, 264 teacher candidates constituted the participants. The participants consisted of 66 elementary mathematics, 58 special education, 82 primary school and 58 preschool teacher candidates. The…

This study evaluates the efficacy of a physically-active number learning game for young preschoolers. The intervention adapts Ramani and Siegler's (Child Develop 79(2):375-394, 2008) successful The Great Race by modifying the mode of play from seated at a table to jumping with two feet on a large game mat. 75 children (mean age: 46 months) in the…

Research Findings: The aim of this study was to investigate U.S. preschool teachers' math pedagogical content knowledge in number comparison. Seventy-four in- and pre-service teachers completed a set of scenario-based questions from a researcher-designed questionnaire that is composed of learning scenarios. Through a mixed-method approach, the…

The aims of this article are to document the types of signs that young children make to represent their mathematical thinking, and to determine the extent to which features of usage-based language acquisition are evident in children's early graphical communications made in mathematical contexts. Studies of young children's symbolic principles in…

In this paper, differences in the implementation of a number activity called the snake game are studied. Nine Swedish preschool teachers worked in collaboration with a research team, enacting the same activity with their groups of 5-year-old children over a 3-month period. Variation theory forms the basis for the analysis of 67 videorecorded…

Numerical competencies acquired in preschool are foundational and predictive for children's later mathematical development. It remains to be determined whether there are gender differences in these early numerical competencies which could explain the often-reported gender differences in later mathematics and STEM-related abilities. Using a…