When children have numerous opportunities they see themselves as powerful and competent mathematical learners. Mathematics helps children to think logically, strategically, creativity, and critically- skills and knowledge which are particularly valuable in today’s information and digital age. Children also become powerful and competent learners in the language and expression of mathematical ideas when mathematical learning is grounded in their interest, abilities, purpose and cultural understandings.
Tamariki have been showing interest in shapes and today I showed tamariki the book which contained variety of shapes and children chose their shape which they wanted to create using sticks. I set up the provocation table with the sticks, glue and paper. Firstly children used brush to draw their preferred shapes using glue. After that tamariki with great precision stuck the sticks on the glue forming the shapes they wanted.
I was very pleased with the level of focus and concentration towards creating the same looking shape that they chose from the book. At first some of the children did not get the shape right but they did not give up, they tried few different techniques and finally they perfected it.
Through these play children is able to develop mathematical skills. They learn mathematical concepts. They also able to explore, enjoy and describe patterns and shapes. They experience the symbols of their culture, including that of numbers and other mathematical concepts (learning outcome,Te Whariki, 2017).
