EDEC113 Assessment 2 Solution: Critical Reflection on Numeracy Resources

Suitability:

The resource is suitable for children of age group 3-5 as the resource contains a bit more complex concepts compared to the younger ones. The vibrant colors and frog cartoon attract children’s attention and make it more approachable for them. The resource is a weighing scale with two sides of it, one of them will be used by children to put numbers on it and the other with some number of frogs. The side having more value would be heavier and it contains a pointer which would bend towards the heavier side. It would help them learn how heavier and lighter the objects are and the ways to balance them. It would help them to learn measurement and estimation skills. Children can understand and compare object’s weight and sizes at this age but may not be able to understand difficult topics (Department of Education and Training, 2012).

Maths concepts:

• Measurement: This resource would foster measurement skills in children. Two sides of the weighing scale, will help them measure the weights of the objects. It would also teach them about balancing as they can balance the weights on each side of the scale.
• Comparison: Comparing the weights, varying weights on scale will help them recognize the difference between heavier and lighter weights.
• Estimation: Making predictions about the balance on the scale and trying and testing different weights on the scale to balance, it would foster estimation skills in children which is one of the foundation skills of mathematical concepts in children.

These concepts would promote problem-solving skills and understanding of physical properties like weight and balance.

Link to Professional Framework:

Outcome 4.2: Children develop a range of skills like problem-solving and experimenting with different weights. The resource supports this by encouraging them and fulfilling their urge to experiment and learn about balance with different objects to support their ideas.

NQS element 1.1.2: Child’s current knowledge and interests foundations the program. Balancing scales would build on their interest and curiosity about the world around them.

Connection to Numeracy based curriculum:

The NSW Numeracy Curriculum focuses on early measurement skills. The resource introduces children to foundations of weight, measurement and balance which gets more complex as they get to an older age such as kindergarten where they begin to learn them at a better level. By experimenting with the resource, children gain experience with the concepts they would continue to develop further in school.

Connection to theory:

Piaget’s Cognitive development theory: Balancing scales align with this theory especially in   pre-operational stage, when children begin to think numerically but they need more hands-on experiences to develop these further. It helps them to interact with these concepts physically like balancing and weight. With strong foundations of mathematical concepts children will find things more interesting and easier when they go to school and start learning these concepts further and at a more complex level.