A Needs Assessment and Guidelines for the Development of Mathematical Skills of Young Children

Abstract

Background and Aims: Early childhood is the beginning of learning. Mathematics can develop and strengthen children's knowledge and understanding of the nature around them and the things around them. Mathematics plays an important role in both learning and is beneficial to life. Promoting mathematics learning for early childhood children will be an important basis for learning mathematics in Grade 1. The purposes of this study were 1) to study the true condition and the condition that should be and proceed to develop mathematical skills of young children. 2) to suggest guidelines for developing mathematical learning for young children.

Methodology: The target group was 22 early childhood teachers and 13 grade 1 mathematical teachers, a total of 35 teachers at schools under Bangkok, Bang Kho Laem District Office. The instrument used in the study was an assessment form of the needs for the development of mathematical skills of young children and guidelines for the development of mathematical skills of young children. Analyzed quantitative data by mean and standard deviation and analyzed quality data by content analysis.

Results: The developing of the mathematical skills of young children in mathematics skills and processes was the first priority (0.28), followed by skills in mathematical content (0.25) and basic mathematical skills (0.19). For the needs assessment in guidelines for developing Learning mathematics for young children found that the during-experience provision was the first priority (0.24) followed by the after-experience provision (0.23) and the preparation the-experience provision (0.22).

Conclusion: The research confirms that the utmost importance in developing mathematical skills in early childhood lies in essential memory skills, with this skill receiving the highest significance index (0.28). Additionally, experiences during the learning process are identified as playing the most crucial role in promoting mathematical skills in young children.