ERIC Number: EJ1053643
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 29
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1040-9289
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Study of Early Childhood Mathematics Teaching in the United States and China
Li, Xia; Chi, Liping; DeBey, Mary; Baroody, Arthur J.
Early Education and Development, v26 n3 p450-478 2015
Research Findings: The present study involved using a questionnaire to investigate the mathematics teaching practices of 74 U.S. and 67 Chinese early childhood teachers. Quantitative and qualitative analyses yielded several key findings. First, U.S. teachers are less intentional in mathematics teaching than their Chinese counterparts. Specifically, 27% of the U.S. participants did not set any goals for mathematics, and 20% did not use a curriculum or any resources. In contrast, 3% of the Chinese participants fell into each of these categories. Second, early childhood mathematics content in the United States appears to be broader and less differentiated by age group than in China. Lastly, emerging curriculum (mathematics learning that emerges from children's play, activities, and routines) is the prevailing approach for 3- and 4-year-olds in the United States. In comparison, mathematics-specific teaching is the primary, but not sole, form of instruction in China. Practice or Policy: These findings have important implications for implementing the Common Core mathematics standards in the early years.
Descriptors: Early Childhood Education, Mathematics Instruction, Questionnaires, Educational Practices, Educational Strategies, Statistical Analysis, Qualitative Research, Course Content, Comparative Analysis, Comparative Education, Cross Cultural Studies, Play, Mathematics Activities, Age Differences, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, Teaching Methods, Preschool Teachers, Behavioral Sciences, Mathematics Curriculum, Sequential Approach, Numbers, Educational Change, Teaching Models, Foreign Countries
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: China (Beijing); New York; United States
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A