EMA1501
ASSIGNMENT 2
DUE DATE: 3 JUNE 2024
, QUESTION 1
Mathematics does not happen in a vacuum but is part of an integrated approach to the
child’s development. Mathematics should be embedded and integrated in all the
activities the children engage in throughout the day, such as feeding time, playtime,
rest/sleep time, routine morning, midday and evening activities, etc.
1.1. Define Emergent Mathematics.
Emergent mathematics refers to the process through which children construct
mathematical concepts and acquire mathematical skills from birth. It encompasses the
understanding of fundamental mathematical ideas such as number, counting, patterns,
shapes, relationships, space, measure, and problem-solving. These concepts are
developed through children's exploration and engagement with their environment,
particularly through play. Emergent mathematics recognizes that children naturally
encounter mathematical problems and challenges as they interact with the world around
them, and they develop mathematical skills and understanding through these experiences.
It highlights the importance of providing young children with opportunities to engage in
purposeful play and exploration to foster their mathematical development.
(Study Guide pg. 18)
1.2. Think of a story or stories you were told as a child. Think about any part of the story
that had mathematical themes, concepts or ideas and in a paragraph of between 8 to 10
lines or 100 words, relate the memories and mathematical concepts you learned
from the story.
One of the stories I remember from my childhood is "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." In
this tale, Goldilocks encounters three bowls of porridge – one too hot, one too cold, and
one just right. This simple scenario introduces the concept of comparison and
measurement. Goldilocks makes decisions based on her preferences for temperature,
demonstrating the idea of relative size and quantity. Additionally, her actions of sampling
the porridge from each bowl involve basic counting and ordinal numbers as she
determines which bowl she prefers. Through this story, I learned about concepts such as
temperature, size, quantity, comparison, and ordinal numbers, all embedded within an
engaging narrative.
ASSIGNMENT 2
DUE DATE: 3 JUNE 2024
, QUESTION 1
Mathematics does not happen in a vacuum but is part of an integrated approach to the
child’s development. Mathematics should be embedded and integrated in all the
activities the children engage in throughout the day, such as feeding time, playtime,
rest/sleep time, routine morning, midday and evening activities, etc.
1.1. Define Emergent Mathematics.
Emergent mathematics refers to the process through which children construct
mathematical concepts and acquire mathematical skills from birth. It encompasses the
understanding of fundamental mathematical ideas such as number, counting, patterns,
shapes, relationships, space, measure, and problem-solving. These concepts are
developed through children's exploration and engagement with their environment,
particularly through play. Emergent mathematics recognizes that children naturally
encounter mathematical problems and challenges as they interact with the world around
them, and they develop mathematical skills and understanding through these experiences.
It highlights the importance of providing young children with opportunities to engage in
purposeful play and exploration to foster their mathematical development.
(Study Guide pg. 18)
1.2. Think of a story or stories you were told as a child. Think about any part of the story
that had mathematical themes, concepts or ideas and in a paragraph of between 8 to 10
lines or 100 words, relate the memories and mathematical concepts you learned
from the story.
One of the stories I remember from my childhood is "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." In
this tale, Goldilocks encounters three bowls of porridge – one too hot, one too cold, and
one just right. This simple scenario introduces the concept of comparison and
measurement. Goldilocks makes decisions based on her preferences for temperature,
demonstrating the idea of relative size and quantity. Additionally, her actions of sampling
the porridge from each bowl involve basic counting and ordinal numbers as she
determines which bowl she prefers. Through this story, I learned about concepts such as
temperature, size, quantity, comparison, and ordinal numbers, all embedded within an
engaging narrative.
