This course focuses on teaching math to young children and covers California math standards for early childhood. You'll participate in hands-on activities and create exciting math games for young children. The course also addresses how young children recognize patterns in nature and how you can connect math to art. With ample instructor modeling, you'll practice ways to create unforgettable moments of discovery, enchantment, and magic by studying geometric patterns and numbers. This course is recommended for teachers, parents, and caregivers of preschoolers and kindergartners. A strong background in mathematics is not required.

Learning Outcomes:

At the conclusion of the course, you should be able to

• Learn preschool through kindergarten standards for math
• Learn a value of hands-on activities
• Design hands-on math activities
• Learn the relationship between math and art
• Describe patterns in nature and the importance of patterns in math
• Introduce hands-on activities related to patterns for young children
• Create line art and origami activities to do with young children
• Collect ideas about presenting math activities from the other students
• Brainstorm and reflect upon activities done by other students and see how they can be implemented for different age groups

Topics Include:

• Curriculum principles for early childhood mathematics
• Mathematical learning for children ages 3 through 8
• Mathematical processes in early childhood curriculum
• Promoting development of key skills and concepts through math play