The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of mathematical activities based on poetry on young children's mathematical abilities and attitudes toward mathematics.
The following questions were explored in depth.
1. How do mathematical a...
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of mathematical activities based on poetry on young children's mathematical abilities and attitudes toward mathematics.
The following questions were explored in depth.
1. How do mathematical activities based on poetry affect their abilities such as number, number operation, space & geometry, measurement, data analysis & probability, and pattern & function?
2. How do mathematical activities based on poetry affect their attitudes toward mathematics?
3. What relationship can we find between young children's abilities and their attitudes toward mathematics?
To deal with this research project 48 children of 5 years old in average, were divided into experiment group and control group, each of which consists of 24 has been experimented for 8 weeks. As a result of the study, the data collected were dealt with by way of SPSS 11.0 with coding. After comparing the mean differences between groups through t-test verification, we came to know how mathematical abilities were changed by mathematical activities based on poetry. Besides, Pearson's correlation analysis was examined to find out the relationship between young children's abilities and attitudes toward mathematics.
The findings of the study are as follows:
1. Poetry was significant to improve their mathematical abilities:
young children came to know more about number, number operation(p<.O5), space & geometry, measurement, data analysis &probability and pattern & function (p<.001).
2. Young children's attitudes toward mathematics were changed a little, even though they did not have any meaningful effects.
3. There was not significant correlation between children's abilities toward mathematics and their attitudes,
4. According to this study, mathematical activities based on poetry were very effective in helping children to experience mathematics in everyday lives and apply mathematical words and knowledge in their lives.
As observed so far, some propositions are as follows:
1. Mathematical activities based on poetry were significant to subordinates of mathematical abilities. Accordingly, we have to develop some mathematical programs, in which a lot of poetry can be used at both kindergartens and day-care centers, Various opportunities make young children be interested in such numerous activities as data analysis & probability, measurement and pattern & function. Therefore lots of useful planning including various mathematical activities should be designed.
2. Children's attitudes toward mathematics were not significant, Nevertheless if mathematical activities based on ere extended over 8 weeks, with the observation of children changing mathematical attitudes in children might be great.
3. Integral programs that have children 'immerse'(Gifford, 1997) in the mathematical environments need to be developed. It is like we let children come to know mathematical concepts without any pressure.
For instance, as Mayesky(l998) points out, 'poetry domain' including poetry board and activity data is to be installed in the classroom for the integral activities between mathematics and other subjects.