Mathematics In Early Childhood

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Mathematics, Andragogy, the EYLF and the Educators – Developing a workplace based professional development strategy. Introduction With the introduction of the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care (NQF) there is increasing pressure on early childhood educators to gain or upgrade qualifications and to maintain professional learning and development. Benchmarks for quality practices are being raised to ensure better outcomes for young children and their families (Council of Australian Governments, n.d.). Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (EYLF) (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, 2009)is the national curriculum framework that most early childhood educators will be using as a basis for programming for the learning and development of young children under the NQF. Within my own workplace educators have been working through the EYLF and have identified mathematics as a content area in which they lack knowledge, understanding, confidence and creativity. The EYLF says educators require appropriate mathematical vocabulary and knowledge of powerful mathematical ideas in order to help children become numerate (DEEWR, 2009). Research suggests that teacher conceptions about mathematics subject matter, teaching and learning impact their actions in the classroom (Golafshani, 2002). Ginsburg, Sun Lee, and Stevenson Boyd (2008)suggest that most early childhood educators provide children with a very narrow range of mathematical content, focussing mainly on common shapes, and small counting numbers. Research calls into question whether early childhood educators have appropriate mathematical knowledge and skills to provide young children with the range of mathematical activities and learning that are required to ensure they are developing towards being numerate. Through workplace
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