Approaches to Proper Mathematics Training The interview participants were asked several questions relating to their approaches to what they considered to be proper mathematics training for preschoolers. They were also asked additional questions which probed more deeply into additional mathematics schooling practices. The data were coded under the general heading of teacher approaches to proper mathematics as “Proper Mathematics Schooling Practices”, and “Novelties in Teaching Mathematics
Proper Mathematics Schooling Practice In terms of age-appropriate mathematics teaching, most of the participants reported that they teach counting using concrete objects and then figures. They then teach additional numbers and connections between the numbers and objects. This is followed by math signs, including addition and subtraction. They also employ suitable materials for teaching appropriate math. One of the participants commented: I use a variety of materials for teaching math. First, number recognition and showing the connection between objects and quantity of numbers. Then, I do activities. For that, there are various materials, such as clothespins, straws, blocks, dough. The use of materials is truly advantageous for learning math because young children enjoy doing math while studying. When they find out this is math, their affection for math increases. (T9) Page 10/19 In reference to conducting age-appropriate math schooling, some participants concluded that teaching math concretely involved playing games, counting numbers with concepts whilst considering the students’ needs, and familiarizing them with math at an early age to help to build their readiness levels. Play inparticular increases students’ self-confidence so that they feel prepared to move into elementary mathematics education. One of the participants shared the following: An effective way of learning at preschool is playing a game. That is, it is the foundation of teaching. All instruction is realized via playing… The reason is to recognize students to teach them in an appropriate way. Everything starts with getting to know children. (T13) A minority of participants also expressed the importance of learning math through multiple experiences, such as listing numbers in order, teaching through singing a song, and establishing a connection with numbers.
