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Mathematical Development in Young Children – Abstract Counting

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Dr. Sudha Swaminathan describes the importance of providing children ample opportunities to manipulate tangible objects while developing counting skills. This foundational understanding eventually leads to their ability to engage in abstract counting. This video is part of a series describing children’s early mathematical development and showing how professionals can support this development during play, in daily routines, and through explicit teaching.

See supporting materials and related videos at http://www.easternct.edu/cece/elds-math-geometry/.

Copyright 2016 by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood. Produced by the Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut State University. This video may only be used for educational purposes.

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Sudha Swaminathan: “Usually, children like to count things that they can see, that they can touch, objects that are right there in front of them. It’s important, initially, for toddlers to count what they can see and touch and feel, like their own fingers, their toys, pictures in their books.” Teacher: “Cookies! How many? Let’s count them. One, two.” Sudha Swaminathan: “We want to make sure that we include these objects in their environment. Gradually, as they get older they get more comfortable, and used to the idea that they can count things that they can hear, but not see, such as in music and movement.” Class: “One, two… One, two.” Sudha Swaminathan: “Or when they are moving in the playground and they’re counting their jumps.” Child: “Ten, eleven, twelve…” Sudha Swaminathan: “And, gradually, they get even more abstract, when they start counting out members of their family who are not there.” Teacher: “So, should we make a list of everybody?” Child: “My sister’s number one, my babies number two.” Teacher: “Okay. So, sister…” Sudha Swaminathan: “Even if children are ready to do abstract counting, we want to make sure that the environment has a lot of opportunities for counting objects and physical things that they can count.

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