, Question 1
1.1 Emergent mathematics is the term we use to describe how children construct
mathematical concepts and acquire mathematical skills from birth.
With the above statement in mind, differentiate between mathematical concepts and
mathematical skills, and provide an example for each. Please do not use the examples from
the guide, come up with your own. (6)
Differences and Examples
Mathematical Concepts: refer to the Mathematical Skills: refer to the practical
foundational ideas or abstract abilities that allow children to apply
understandings in mathematics that help mathematical concepts in real-life
children make sense of their experiences and situations. These include skills such as
environment. These include ideas such as counting, sorting, comparing, measuring,
number, quantity, size, shape, pattern, and and estimating. Mathematical skills involve
position. Concepts are not about doing the use of fine motor control, reasoning,
mathematics but about understanding the problem-solving, and cognitive processing.
meaning behind mathematical relationships. They enable children to actively engage with
They form the cognitive base upon which and manipulate mathematical ideas through
mathematical thinking is constructed and hands-on experiences and tasks.
developed.
Example: A child grasps the idea of greater Example: A child demonstrates the skill of
and fewer by noticing that one bowl contains counting in sequence when they count out
a greater number of apples than the other. five crayons one by one
1.1 Emergent mathematics is the term we use to describe how children construct
mathematical concepts and acquire mathematical skills from birth.
With the above statement in mind, differentiate between mathematical concepts and
mathematical skills, and provide an example for each. Please do not use the examples from
the guide, come up with your own. (6)
Differences and Examples
Mathematical Concepts: refer to the Mathematical Skills: refer to the practical
foundational ideas or abstract abilities that allow children to apply
understandings in mathematics that help mathematical concepts in real-life
children make sense of their experiences and situations. These include skills such as
environment. These include ideas such as counting, sorting, comparing, measuring,
number, quantity, size, shape, pattern, and and estimating. Mathematical skills involve
position. Concepts are not about doing the use of fine motor control, reasoning,
mathematics but about understanding the problem-solving, and cognitive processing.
meaning behind mathematical relationships. They enable children to actively engage with
They form the cognitive base upon which and manipulate mathematical ideas through
mathematical thinking is constructed and hands-on experiences and tasks.
developed.
Example: A child grasps the idea of greater Example: A child demonstrates the skill of
and fewer by noticing that one bowl contains counting in sequence when they count out
a greater number of apples than the other. five crayons one by one
