Determining Early Mathematical Reasoning Skills

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the mathematical reasoning skills of children in the area of Measurement and Data Analysis-Probability. First, Evaluation Instrument for the Early Mathematical Reasoning Skills is developed, its validity and reliability is performed. Furthermore, variables such as the effect of child gender, age, institution attended and part/full time attendance to the institution, total duration of preschool attendance as well as educational background of their parents were analyzed. The study group is composed of randomly selected 204 children of typical development in x at the age of 60-74 months attending dependent and independent kindergarten, private preschools, daycare centers and kindergartens of Ministry of National Education. Data were collected using Evaluation Instrument for the Early Mathematical Reasoning Skills that is type of holistic rubric and Child Information Form that was developed by the researcher. The instrument developed was found to be reliable and valid. No significant difference was found between the scores of reasoning areas and types of boys and girls. Extended Abstract Purpose and Significance: Mathematics is one of the areas that help determine the reasoning skills of children clearly. By considering the educational materials used and math activities practiced, how children access to information and their ways of achieving this aim can be understood. Investigation of mathematical reasoning skills of children in the areas of Measurement and Data Analysis-Probability is significant for enhancing the number of related activities as well as their quality. Furthermore, it helps teachers who have reservations of conducting activities in these fields to see the related skills and their applicability to the preschool education such as activities of numbers, shapes, matching and comparing. Methods: Early Mathematical Reasoning Skills Evaluation Tool was developed along with its validity and reliability studies to identify the mathematical reasoning skills of children in the field of Measurement, Data Analysis and Probability. Moreover, variables affecting the mathematical reasoning skills of children in the fields of Measurement and Data Analysis-Probability were examined. The study group of this research was 204 children aged 60-74 months with typical developmental patterns that were selected randomly from 10 preschool.