Counting: Supporting Mathematical Development in Young Children

CECE Early Childhood Videos at Eastern CT State U.

16 May 201603:57

Summary

TLDRThe video script highlights the developmental journey of young children in mastering counting skills. Initially, children engage in rote counting, reciting numbers without associating them with objects. As they grow, they transition to purposeful counting, correlating number words with objects to determine quantities. The script emphasizes the role of adults in facilitating this learning through everyday activities like baking and block play, encouraging children to count relevantly to their tasks. By structuring activities and curriculum, adults can support children in progressing from rote to rational counting, fostering a deeper understanding of numbers.

Takeaways

👶 Very young children are exposed to counting in their everyday activities, even before preschool.
🗣️ They initially learn counting by listening to adults and peers, and by reciting number names in sequence.
🔢 Rote counting is the initial stage where children memorize and recite numbers without necessarily understanding the quantity.
📈 As children practice, they transition from rote to purposeful counting, where they associate each number word with an object.
🧠 Purposeful counting helps children to determine quantities and understand the concept of counting as a measurement tool.
🍰 Engaging in activities like baking provides meaningful opportunities for children to practice purposeful counting.
🏡 Counting can be incorporated into daily routines, such as counting steps at home, to make learning fun and practical.
🎲 Play scenarios with toys, like blocks, can be used to encourage counting and make it relevant to children's interests.
👨‍🏫 Teachers and adults can intentionally plan activities to support and enhance children's counting skills in group settings.
📚 A carefully planned curriculum with diverse opportunities helps children practice and gradually become proficient at rational counting.
🎉 Young children often enjoy the challenge of counting higher numbers, which can be encouraged and developed through structured learning.

Q & A

At what age do very young children start experiencing counting?
-Very young children start experiencing counting even before preschool in their day-to-day routines and life.
How do children initially engage in counting?
-Initially, children engage in counting that is pretty much rote, reciting number names in a sequence without necessarily understanding the quantity.
What is the importance of maintaining the sequence when children count?
-Maintaining the sequence is important because it helps children understand the order of numbers and develop a basic sense of counting.
How does purposeful counting differ from rote counting?
-Purposeful counting involves associating each number word with an object, while rote counting is just the recitation of number words without associating them with objects.
What is the role of adults in supporting children's counting skills?
-Adults can provide meaningful opportunities for children to engage in purposeful counting throughout the day, such as during play or daily activities.
Can you give an example of how children might use counting during play?
-While playing with blocks, children can be encouraged to count the blocks they use, like counting out four blocks to build a house.
How can adults plan to support children's counting skills in groups?
-Adults can plan activities that involve counting in both large and small groups, such as counting objects together or using counting in songs and rhymes.
Why do young children enjoy counting to higher numbers?
-Young children usually enjoy counting to higher numbers because it gives them a sense of achievement and helps them practice their counting skills.
What is the significance of counting in determining quantities?
-Counting helps children determine quantities by associating each number word with a specific item, which allows them to understand how much of a certain item they have.
How can a carefully planned curriculum provide opportunities for children to practice counting?
-A carefully planned curriculum can provide diverse opportunities for children to practice counting by incorporating it into various activities and lessons throughout the day.
What is the ultimate goal for children's counting skills development?
-The ultimate goal is for children to develop from rote counters to rational counters, where they understand the concept of quantity and can apply counting in practical situations.

Outlines

00:00

👶 Early Counting Development

This paragraph discusses how very young children are exposed to counting in their everyday lives, often before they even attend preschool. They listen to adults and peers counting, which helps them develop a basic sense of numbers. Initially, children engage in rote counting, reciting number names in sequence without necessarily understanding the quantity. As they practice, they become more purposeful, associating each number word with an object and realizing counting can determine quantities. The paragraph also highlights how adults can facilitate purposeful counting through daily activities like baking or playing with blocks, encouraging children to count in context. The importance of a planned curriculum to help children transition from rote to rational counting is emphasized.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Counting

Counting is the process of assigning number words to objects in a sequential order. In the video, counting is presented as a fundamental skill that young children begin to develop through everyday experiences and interactions with adults and peers. It's highlighted as a stepping stone towards understanding numerical concepts. For instance, children are shown counting objects like blocks or steps, which helps them associate numbers with quantities.

💡Rote Counting

Rote counting refers to the mechanical recitation of number words without necessarily understanding the quantity they represent. In the video, it is depicted as an initial stage in a child's numerical development. Children are shown reciting numbers in sequence, but without associating each number word with a specific object, as seen when they simply list numbers without correlating them to the objects they are counting.

💡Purposeful Counting

Purposeful counting is the intentional use of numbers to determine quantities or solve problems. It is contrasted with rote counting in the video as a more advanced and meaningful engagement with numbers. The script illustrates this through examples such as children counting blocks to build a house or counting steps to know how many there are in their home, showing a practical application of counting.

💡Number Words

Number words are the words used to denote numbers in a language, such as 'one', 'two', 'three', etc. The video emphasizes the importance of children learning to recite these words in sequence as part of their early mathematical education. It's shown that children begin with rote counting of number words and gradually progress to understanding their meaning in context.

💡Sequence

Sequence in the context of the video refers to the order in which number words are recited. Maintaining the correct sequence is crucial for children learning to count, as it helps them understand the order of numbers and the concept of numerical order. The video script mentions that children must learn to count without dropping a number word, indicating the importance of sequence in counting.

💡Quantities

Quantities refer to the amount or number of objects. The video discusses how children begin to associate counting with determining quantities. For example, when a child asks for 'four dollars' or when counting blocks to build a house, they are using counting to ascertain the quantity needed for a specific purpose.

💡Curriculum

Curriculum in the video refers to the planned educational content and activities designed to teach children counting skills. It is mentioned that through a carefully planned curriculum, educators can provide diverse opportunities for children to practice counting, moving from rote to purposeful counting.

💡Play Scenarios

Play scenarios are the contexts created during playtime that can be used to teach counting. The video suggests that adults can encourage children to count in the context of their play, such as when playing with blocks or during baking, making the learning process more engaging and relevant to the child's interests.

💡Educational Opportunities

Educational opportunities in the video are moments or activities that can be used to teach or reinforce learning. The script mentions that adults can provide meaningful opportunities for children to engage in purposeful counting throughout the day, indicating that everyday activities can be turned into learning experiences.

💡Rational Counters

Rational counters are individuals who can count with understanding and purpose, using numbers to make sense of quantities and solve problems. The video suggests that through practice and exposure to counting in various contexts, children can develop into rational counters, moving beyond simple recitation to a deeper understanding of numbers.

💡Development

Development in the video pertains to the growth and progress of children's numerical skills. It is discussed as a journey from basic counting to more complex understanding and application of numbers. The video emphasizes the importance of guided practice and varied experiences in supporting this developmental process.

Highlights

Very young children experience counting in their day-to-day routines.

Children listen to adults and peers counting.

They develop a basic sense of counting.

Initially, children engage in rote counting.

Rote counting is the recitation of number names in sequence.

Children understand the sequence must be maintained without dropping a number word.

As they count objects, they might start with rote counting.

Children become more purposeful with counting over time.

They begin to associate one number word with each object.

Counting helps them determine quantities.

There's a distinction between rote and purposeful counting.

Purposeful counting is rational counting to determine quantities.

Adults can provide opportunities for purposeful counting.

Children enjoy counting in activities like baking.

Counting is integrated into play scenarios with blocks.

Adults can support counting skills in both large and small groups.

Young children enjoy counting to higher numbers.

A carefully planned curriculum provides diverse counting opportunities.

Children gradually develop into rational counters.