The Young Child and Mathematics / Edition 2

by Juanita V. Copley

Overview

This second edition of The Young Child and Mathematics reflects on recent developments in math education through vignettes, activity ideas, and strategies for teaching young children about math processes and concepts. Using standards and guidelines from NCTM) and NAEYC, Juanita Copley shows how teachers can readily and enjoyably make mathematics an integral part of their classrooms all day, every day.

Includes a DVD of print and video resources, including clips of the author in action in real classrooms, engaging young children in math thinking and learning.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781928896685
Publisher:	National Association for the Education of Young Children
Publication date:	06/03/2010
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Juanita Copley is a professor emerita at the University of Houston. She has taught middle school mathematics in the public schools, served as a mathematics specialist in two urban school districts, and taught math education courses at the University of Houston. She currently spends at least one day a week teaching in prekindergarten and elementary school classrooms. For more than a decade, Dr. Copley directed the innovative Early Childhood Mathematics Collaborative, a professional development project that has trained more than 2,000 preservice teachers and 250 inservice teachers. She has also worked with the Head Start Bureau in developing a mathematics initiative for teachers and young children. As professor emerita, she continues to devote much of her time and energy to professional development in early mathematics teaching. Dr. Copley has written and edited a number of books about early childhood mathematics, three of which are copublications of NAEYC and NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics). Her research on early childhood math and on effectiveness of professional development models for teachers in mathematics has been published in journals and presented at national early childhood and mathematics education conferences.

Read an Excerpt

The Young Child and Mathematics focuses on children from age 3 through 8 and their mathematical learning. The placement of the phrase young child before the word mathematics in the book’s title is not accidental. It comes first because I believe that the child should be the focus of early education. In this chapter I share some of the lessons that I have learned about children and their understanding of mathematics. Some of my ideas about how to teach mathematics come from textbooks, some from watching other teachers teach, and some from experts. However, most, if not all, of the ideas were greatly influenced by children themselves. In some cases their strategies changed the activities for my lessons, their interests changed the scope of the content, or their particular strengths or weaknesses changed the sequence of my instruction. Whatever the case, I have found that when I make the child the focus of my teaching, I teach mathematics well.

Table of Contents

1. The Child Learns, the Child Teaches
2. A Framework for Teaching Mathematics to Young Children
3. Mathematics Processes in the Early Childhood Curriculum
Introduction to the Mathematics Content Areas
4. Number and Operations in the Early Childhood Curriculum
5. Patterns, Functions, and Algebra in the Early Childhood Curriculum
6. Geometry and Spatial Sense in the Early Childhood Curriculum
7. Measurement in the Early Childhood Curriculum
8. Data Analysis and Probability in the Early Childhood Curriculum
9. Questions . . . and Some Answers
Appendix
A. Using the Accompanying DVD
B. Learning Paths and Teaching Strategies
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

Nita Copley continues to lead the way in promoting mathematics for early childhood that is both child-centered and teacher-friendly. The new edition of The Young Child and Mathematics will be a valuable resource to all educators striving to provide the best educational experiences to the youngest learners.

—Douglas Clements, SUNY Distinguished Professor and coauthor, Learning and Teaching Early Math: The Learning Trajectories Approach

The Young Child and Mathematics is a must-have for every teacher who works with young children. Copley’s approach to teaching math engages the children and builds on their inquisitiveness. The vivid vignettes and drawings make this book come alive. Readers will come away feeling confident that “I, too, can do this with my students!”

—Valerie Johse, elementary math specialist, Pearland Independent School District, Texas

In this updated edition of The Young Child and Mathematics, Juanita Copley helps teachers understand what foundational math knowledge children need. I especially enjoy the videos of her own masterful teaching: it’s so useful to see these demonstrations of challenging, engaging curriculum and instructional strategies. Most importantly, Copley demonstrates that young children are eager, enthusiastic,
and capable math learners!

—Sue Bredekamp, early childhood education consultant and member, Committee on Early Childhood Mathematics, National Research Council

I appreciate and adapt in my own work the teacher-to-child, child-to-teacher, and child-to-child dialogue that is interspersed throughout The Young Child and Mathematics. These real-life episodes allow the teachers I train to connect pedagogical content to their children’s informal mathematics understanding.

—Brian Mowry, prekindergarten instructional specialist, Austin Independent School District, Texas

From the Publisher