Computational estimation is seen as an important mathematical competence. Little is known, however, about the mathematical skills that are predictive of early computational estimation development. The current study longitudinally followed a group of about 350 children at four time points: second (K2, 4-year-olds) and third grades of kindergarten…

This article reflects critically on the guidance offered to South African teachers in two canonical texts: the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) and Mathematics teaching and learning framework for South Africa: Teaching mathematics for understanding (TMU). I make explicit my philosophical orientation, and how 'teaching mathematics…

This paper contributes to the theory and evidence that mathematical cognition is embodied. Drawing on the practices of primary teachers in South Africa engaged in a longitudinal research and development project -- Wits Maths Connect--Primary -- we report on aspects of lessons aimed at developing number sense through whole-class teacher-learner…

In this article, the author argues that there is a big conceptual difference between number lines and number strips and that number lines should be consistently used as early as Y1. Her interest in the use of the number line as a powerful image of the real numbers, and how this is introduced in the early years, comes from her own experience as a…

Discusses classroom practices that promote the understanding of number concepts in the primary grades. (Author/NB)

Proposes the hypothesis that preschoolers have number concepts based on the numbers 1-5 rather than on the decimal structure. Results suggest that children understand numbers to 5 as a privileged anchor. Proposes a new model for a representational system of numbers. (Author/DR)

Giving children time and encouragement to explain methods of calculation is a useful strategy. Uses this strategy with a group of children and discovers surprising thinking by one child on number facts. (ASK)

This booklet provides worksheets for children in preschool through grade one. The focus is on developing number concepts, with activities on matching numbers with pictures and on completing sequences, addition and subtraction facts, measurement ideas, fraction ideas, and identifying shapes. (MNS)

Investigates possibilities for and manifestations of collaborative work with pairs of kindergarten students as they worked on tasks designed to promote early number development. Students generated four strategies, and three themes emerged from the analysis of the cooperative solutions. Contains 34 references. (Author/ASK)

Presents a case study with an at-risk second grade student on counting and numbers. Discusses counting stages that the student went through. (ASK)

Calculators can be used in primary schools in a number of situations. They are most beneficial when working with large numbers, dealing with real data that leads to complex calculations, performing repetitive calculations, developing concepts, estimating and checking, problem solving, and looking for patterns and/or relationships. But what if the…

Projects that involve counting real things either from 1 to 100 or from 1 to 1000 are presented. The projects encourage children's guessing, ordering numbers, recording results in a variety of ways, counting elements of a subset as well as the entire set, and some problem solving. (MN)

This report describes an investigation of how young children respond to two types of tasks: (1) finding one-half of a continuous and a discrete material; and (2) attempting to share continuous and discrete material equally between two dolls. Continuous material, such as string, paper, or liquid, is quantified by adults using measurement units. A…

Literature at national and international levels argues the importance of including mental computation in a mathematics curriculum that promotes number sense. However, mental computation does not feature in importance in the current Queensland mathematics syllabus documents. Hopefully, with the writing of a new mathematics syllabus, mental…

The use of counting sticks as a concrete manipulative material in the development of number understanding and the concept of place value is strongly urged. (JT)