Room project: This morning during outdoor free play, I decided to play a math game with the children. I got out a yellow dice and different coloured counters. Tilly, Hunter, Elya, Pilar, and Kavith joined me on the mat. I explained to the children that "they will all have a turn rolling the yellow dice, and if the dice lands on any numbers, we will all count the dots on the dice, and I will give that person the correct number of counters". Hunter was eager to have a turn first, so I demonstrated the steps of the game. Hunter was great at following the instructions of the game. He had his turn rolling the dice, and I encouraged Hunter to count the three dots on the die with me by holding Hunter's hand to count the dice. I offered Hunter three counters, and I asked Hunter what colour counters he had. Hunter was able to recognise the colours and said, "red". I then encouraged Hunter to pass the dice to Pilar so she could have a turn. Pilar knew what to do, so she rolled the dice, and it landed on five dots. We counted the dots together, and I gave Pilar five counters. Tilly had a turn next and through encouragement, Tilly counted the dots. To follow up with the Joey's numeracy skills, for group time, I got a whiteboard and whiteboard marker; I wrote the number one and asked the Joeys if they knew what number I wrote. Lucas, Samara, and Jack F were all able to recognise the number. I wrote number two, and Kavith showed me two fingers, and Elya, Elliot, DylanJot, and Marlee were able to say "two". As the number sequence went on, Kavitha encouraged the Joeys to use their fingers to count with me. Kavitha assisted Ayiik, Abuk, and Autumn in counting using their fingers.
Link to Pedagogical Documentation
EYLF Outcomes
Outcomes:
4: Children are confident and involved learners
Elements:
4.1 Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity.
Children in this learning experience could contribute their ideas and experiences in play and small and large group discussions.
Theorists
This learning experience can be linked to Piaget's theories. He believes the child is an active learner and must be given opportunities to explore, discover and experiment.
Interpretation
Critical Reflection: The joey's numeracy skills are extending, they are more engaged and involved, and they enjoy coming up to count with their educators. I was using real-life resources to promote children's use of mathematical language. I used language to describe objects and collections' attributes and explain mathematical ideas to the Joeys. Follow Up: More counting activities.
