Week 6: First practicum day

(“Belonging, being and becoming”, 2019)

During my first practicum observation day I was able to observe the mathematics that is used within the centre and the mathematic ability of the children in the classroom. The first activity I saw set up was dice. The children were able to roll the dice and count the dots on the dice to see what number they rolled. The next activity that the children engaged in was a clock made out of blocks. This activity was based off time, however the clock allowed them to identify numbers, shapes and positioning as well as identify colour. The classroom was set up in a way that allows them to independently as well as subconsciously learn mathematics, from drawing or learning patterns at the art table, to counting through the block containers as well as using the calendar to find out the days of the week in the month. Children are very experimental and inquisitive, so it’s very important to provide students with lots of different activities that will provide them with ways to learn different mathematics strategies on their own. An early childhood classroom can be the ideal environment to positively work on mathematics skills; rather then doing number sentences and equations like in primary school, early childhood classrooms allow the children to playfully explore which encourages them to solves problems in real life situations (“Making Math Meaningful for Young Children | NAEYC”, 2019)