The place of mathematics in the life of kindergarten

Abstract

The question of the kindergarten – school transition (5–6 year-olds) has a significant role in the present day public education in Hungary. The aim of Group 6 of the Complex Modern Mathematics Teaching Research Group, financed by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences is to study the mathematical concept development of 3–6 year-old children. We define the levels of logical capacities and number concept with the help of a wide scope, activity-based analysis. We wish to explore the differences among children, and the correlation of number concept and logical capacities. As a starting point we aim to define the current position and role of mathematics teaching. We perform an international comparative document analysis, and we process the data of a large sample (N=253) questionnaire survey. This study shows the most important and most interesting data and conclusions found during processing the questionnaires. The results of our research can be used by the professional communities as well as the participants of the educational administration.