Mathematics Education for Early Childhood: A Partnership of Two Curriculums

Abstract

This paper describes the mathematics education component of one early childhood teacher education program at the Auckland College of Education. It explores how the school mathematics curriculum can provide a meaningful framework for the mathematical learning of very young children. It identifies how the interweaving of the mathematics curriculum document with the New Zealand early childhood curriculum can support the early childhood teacher to optimise the provision of mathematically-rich environments. It examines a variety of issues pertaining to the early emergence and development of mathematical concepts.