Mathematical Concepts for Preschoolers

Development of Concepts

• Concepts are fundamental to later educational subjects, learned before primary school.
• Pre-K/KG concepts include math (classification, patterns, matching), science (earth, life), social (geographic, history), and language (listening, speaking, pre-reading, pre-writing).
• Primary school subjects build upon these foundational concepts.

Kinds of Concepts

• Different types of concepts are essential for preschoolers.
• These concepts are linguistic, scientific, mathematical, and social/moral.

Mathematical Concepts

• A math concept is the "why" or core idea of mathematics; understanding the reasoning behind the answer instead of memorization.
• Knowing the "why" allows one to correctly apply concepts and formulas. This higher-level approach fosters abstract thought and problem-solving.

One-to-One Correspondence

• Mathematical concepts rely on this idea of one-to-one correspondence.
• The concept of "sameness" and "differences" between objects is fundamental.

Simple Relationships and Patterns

• Simple relationships and patterns, like matching, sorting, comparing, ordering, and patterning, build logical thinking.
• These skills are foundational to understanding numbers and the number system.

1-1 Matching

• Matching involves noticing relationships between objects.
• For example: a child putting two toy cars together because they're same, or two red flowers in a vase because they have the same color.

2-1 Sorting

• Sorting is based on distinguishing objects that are different.
• A child identifies objects that are the same and groups them together based on similarities.

3-1 Comparing

• Comparing involves identifying the similarities and differences between two or more objects.
• Children can compare in terms of size, length, etc

4-1 Ordering

• Ordering involves comparing multiple attributes and arranging objects accordingly.
• Children must apply their understanding of comparing by making several decisions when ordering the attributes (e.g., shortest to longest, smallest to largest).

5-1 Patterning

• Patterning includes recognizing repeating elements or patterns.
• Children first recognize repetitive patterns, like color or shape sequences (AB pattern) in their surroundings.

2- Counting and Number Sense

• Counting and number sense are crucial for understanding number relationships and quantity.
• Children are encouraged to count, compare, combine, and take apart numbers, relating their learning to their daily lives.

2-1 Rote Counting

• Rote counting is memorizing number names (1, 2, 3...).

2-2 Rational Counting

• Rational counting links number names to specific objects.
• This is achieved through one-to-one correspondence during counting.

2-3 Number Sense

• Number sense entails understanding the relationship between numbers and quantities.
• It includes concepts like more, less, same, conservation, and part-whole relationships.

2-4 Conservation of Quantity

• Conservation of quantity understands how quantity-based attributes of objects does not change when arranged differently.
• Two groups of objects with same quantity even if objects are further apart in each group.

2-5 Part-Whole Relationship

• The concept involves understanding that a number is comprised of smaller component parts.
• For example, understanding that 5 can be equal to 2 + 3, or 1 + 4.

4-6 Subitizing

• Subitizing is the ability to quickly determine how many items are in a small set without counting them one by one.

3- Basic Shapes and Spatial Concepts

• Identifying and naming basic shapes, like circle, triangle, square, rectangle, aids in describing the environment.
• Understanding spatial relationships through vocabulary like top, bottom, in front of, behind, and spatial movements.

3-1 Basic Shapes

• Children become familiar with shapes from everyday objects.
• Shapes are named and their properties are investigated.

3-2 Simple Spatial Concepts

• Awareness of relationships between objects, locations, and spatial properties (top, bottom, front, back) develop.
• Children develop an understanding of position and movement from playing experiences.

Strategies for Numeracy

• Learning numeracy skills can be organically integrated into both daily activities and planned activities conducted by teachers.

Asking Questions

• Engaging children in conversations about tasks is vital. Children can clarify and solidify their understanding through verbalization.

Providing Opportunities for Children to Solve Problems

• Giving children problems to solve encourages exploration and unique problem-solving approaches.

Using Stories, Songs, and Rhymes

• Stories, songs, and rhymes set a context for numeracy skills, which encourage children to relate concepts to their daily lives.

Other strategies (e.g., games)

• Numeracy skills and knowledge are reinforced by actively engaging children through games.

Essential Social Concepts for Kindergarten

• These concepts are important and build necessary interpersonal skills for kindergarteners.

1- The Friendship

• Friendship involves enduring affection, esteem, and trust between two people.

2- The Cooperation

• Cooperation emphasizes working together, helping others, and consequently having positive social interaction.

3- The Fairness

• Fairness is how one treats others while playing games.

4- The Respect

• Showing positive feelings toward important people and things.

5- Self-Acceptance

• Understanding self-worth and having satisfaction with oneself.

6- Accept the Other

• Understanding that individuals are different (gender, religion, color, opinion), and appreciating these differences.
• Accepting others regardless of differences.

7- Equality

• Recognizing that all individuals are equal regardless of differences in gender, religion, color, etc.

8-The System

• Understanding appropriate behaviour to fulfill societal rules and laws.