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Pt1420 Unit 2 Assignment

Decent Essays

Introduction
Every day, mathematics is used in our lives. From playing sports or games to cooking, these activities require the use of mathematical concepts. For young children, mathematical learning opportunities are all around them. Knaus (2013) states that ‘Young children are naturally curious and eager to learn about their surroundings and the world they live in’ (pg.1). Children, young and old, and even adults, learn when they explore, play and investigate. By being actively involved, engaging in activities that are rich, meaningful, self-directed and offer problem solving opportunities, children given the chance to make connections with their world experiences (Yelland, Butler & Diezmann, 1999). As an educator of young children, …show more content…

I found most of the questions related to one or more of Bishop’s “universal” activities (Bishop, 1988. P.100), they were connected to at least 2 or 3 areas. Further analysis of these 15 questions allowed me to identify the category of explaining was in almost all the questions. In some form or another I was able to identify similarities, classifications, story explanations, logical connectives and arguments, symbolic explanations, graphs, mathematical modelling and general ideas, questions and experiences. I identified the other categories in the questions more than once, all except locating, the only question I found this was in question 14. The question referred to directions and routes, a journey taken to lead somewhere. The main concept was to identify what happened while following the directions. This question linked to explaining when communicating experiences and playing when using hypothetical reasoning. I have identified that I will need to work on my understanding of the mathematical concept locating. My sense of direction, locations and mapping skills need some improvement and for me to be confident as an educator teaching this mathematical concept will take practice and development of my knowledge. AAMT (2006) standard 1.2 refers to how excellent teachers of mathematics have a sound, coherent, knowledge of the mathematics …show more content…

The Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations for the Council of Australian Governments [DEEWR} (2009) developed the Belonging, Being & Becoming – The Early Years Learning Framework [EYLF] for Australia. This framework was created to guide educators in developing a quality education program in early childhood education and care settings (DEEWR, 2009. p.5).
The Early Years Learning Framework is broken into 3 main areas, the principles, the practices and the outcomes. Outcome 4 of the framework describes how Children are Confident and Involved Learners. Section 2 of outcome 4 askes educators to identify Children as developing a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating (DEEWR, 2009. p.35). Below are the 11 ways an educator can promote this type of learning:

1. Plan learning environments with appropriate levels of challenge where children are encouraged to explore, experiment and take appropriate risks in their

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