Changes of the opinions about early childhood maths competencies

Abstract

Nowadays the crucial role of infant and early childhood is undoubted not only impersonal development and growing early cognitive functions but in social learning, too. Infants and children are self-constructive individuals whose development requires special support and care on curiosity and interest byplay and activities – as it was previously stated in the 1970s by Tamás Varga, the renowned Hungarian researcher and representative of teaching mathematics. Within this self-construction learning process numeric skills, mathematical experiences and competencies also can be developed. The aim of this study is to emphasise the need and importance of early mathematical education reflecting on changing views on children’s thinking, numeric skills, numerical discrimination and mathematical competences in early childhood.