A comprehensive guide to early childhood mathematics education.

Mathematics in Early Childhood Education explores mathematics in a range of early childhood contexts, including home, playgroup, childcare, preschool, and school.  

The text provides many opportunities to engage children with mathematical concepts and processes through play, exploration, routines, and activities.

Part 1 frames the teaching of mathematics in early childhood education including chapters dedicated to curricula and theories.  
Part 2 explains mathematics education approaches, including a strengths-based approach, and the importance of families and informal learning opportunities.  
Part 3 provides learning experience plans on topics such as patterns, measurement, data, algebra, number, space and geometry.

KEY FEATURES

• Birth to age 8 focus with curriculum connections to both the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the Australian Curriculum
• Sample learning experiences to build content knowledge
• Educator Reflections and Opinion Pieces from current educators provide insights into their practices and work with young children

Part 1: Framing the Teaching of Mathematics in Early Childhood Education
Chapter 1: Introduction to early childhood mathematics education
Chapter 2: Becoming an early childhood mathematics educator
Chapter 3: Theoretical bases for early childhood mathematics education
Chapter 4: Informal opportunities to learn about mathematics
Chapter 5: Early childhood mathematics curricula
Part 2: Approaches to Teaching Mathematics in Early Childhood Education
Chapter 6: Educator roles in mathematics education
Chapter 7: Working mathematically through powerful processes
Chapter 8: Mathematics and transitions to school
Chapter 9: Involving families in mathematics education
Chapter 10: Strengths approaches to early childhood mathematics education
Chapter 11: The relationship between assessment and planning
Part 3: Content for Teaching Mathematics in Early Childhood Education
Chapter 12: Patterns
Chapter 13: Space and geometry
Chapter 14: Measurement
Chapter 15: Number and algebra
Chapter 16: Data, statistics, and probability

Amy MacDonald , Senior Lecturer, Charles Sturt University

Amy MacDonald is the Associate Professor of Early Childhood Mathematics Education at Charles Sturt University. She is recognised and well-respected for her research in early childhood maths.

This book comes with free digital student resources to help you study and succeed.

• Video summaries of the main point in each chapter
• Audio of the Educator Reflections and Opinion Pieces
• Flashcards of key terms with definitions
• End of chapter online quizzes
• Learning experience template.

Chapter 1: Sample pages