Purpose
The study investigates how a supervised play activity involving figurative numbers can be used in kindergarten to promote children’s engagement in mathematics. The research question is: How does a kindergarten game work when designed as a supervised game involving figurative numbers?
Result
The results show that the game engaged the children in the form of mathematical activities such as counting, sorting, shaping, exploring and deducing. The children showed the ability to understand and use rectangular shapes, as well as the ability to correct errors themselves. The kindergarten teacher’s function as a supervisor helped the children in the game without taking over or overriding their activity. In addition, the game helped create a learning environment in which the children also showed emotional engagement in the game.
Design
The study is based on a game in which the children were to park different numbers of Lego cars in rectangular shapes on board a ferry. Thirteen children and one kindergarten teacher participated in the study. The children were between four and six years old and were divided into three different age groups. Video recordings of the game were made with a focus on analysing the children’s mathematical initiatives and engagement in the game, as well as the role of the kindergarten teacher in guiding the game.
References
Petersson, J., & Weldemariam, K. (2022). Prime Time in Preschool Through Teacher-Guided Play with Rectangular Numbers. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 66(4), 714–728.
Online year: 2021
Issue year: 2022
Review year: 2022