A handbook for the teaching of arithmetic to infants

Abstract

A number of activities in the form of worksheets were devised after reviewing current research related to the teaching of arithmetic to infants. The aim of these worksheets was to supplement what is available in the workbooks which are being used in year 2 state school classes. Therefore it was also necessary to refer to the current infants' mathematics syllabus and the above-mentioned workbooks. Four 7-year old children of varying abilities were chosen to participate in a small group teaching experiment, in which a sample of the worksheets, chosen from a cross-section of the arithmetic topics, was tried out. The children's responses indicated that they enjoyed being presented with diverse activities and appreciated learning through games. The researcher concluded that the children who participated did have their own strategies, and that these children differed in their learning needs. The sample worksheets were amended in the light of the children's responses. Finally all the worksheets were compiled into a handbook, which will hopefully be of use to Infant teachers.