(PDECCE-T) Young Children and Numeracy Development
About This Course
Mathematics helps us to make sense of the world today. Thus, it is essential in the early childhood curriculum to develop competence and thinking skills in young children. Young children’s development of understanding and use of symbols for communication and thinking will be central to this module. The aim is to assist young children to develop problem-solving skills using the curiosity of young children to explore numeracy in their world so that they are able to develop the logico-mathematical knowledge to learn to use number confidently.
This module introduces students to the development of mathematical knowledge in young children, the role of the environment, approaches and strategies to facilitate the development of young children’s understanding, confidence and developing concepts and skills for number, space, measurement, chance and data, patterns and algebra. Evaluation and use of commercially available resources and software programs; development of own resources; uses of traditional, cultural and local resources for teaching concepts of numeracy will be discussed. Techniques and procedures for assessing, monitoring, tracking, record-keeping and reporting on the numeracy development of children will also be discussed.
What You'll Learn
1. The ability to understand:
a. How young children develop mathematical understandings, abilities and attitudes
b. The importance and role of play, language and materials in the acquisition of mathematical learning in young children
c. Approaches and strategies to support children’s learning of number, concepts and problem-solving
d. Core values of early childhood education as outlined in the NEL Framework
e. Strategies to design and implement classroom activities and programmes that inculcate the core values of early childhood education
2. The ability to:
a. Plan and implement child-centric math activities that inculcate the core values of early childhood education
3. The ability to:
a. Contribute to the planning and implementation of child-centric math activities and programmes that inculcate the core values of early childhood education
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have:
* 5 GCE ‘O’ level credits including a grade C6 in GCE ‘O’ level English Language OR Any English Language Acceptable Alternatives
OR
* 10 years of formal education in English as a medium of instruction and passed state exam with credits in 5 different subjects OR required to pass English Language
OR
* Degree with English as medium of instruction from state recognised university OR required to pass English Language Acceptable Alternatives