Optional Unit 629 Support children's Mathematical Development
 

Hi, I am onto my optional units, 629, 630 and 643. The first two are exactly the same basically but in Mathematical and Literacy.

1.1 Explain why mathematical development is important to children's learning

1.2 Explain how mathematics can be used to support areas of learning and development. for this one, i started writing about mathematical language and communicating with other children and adults. am i on the right lines?

2.1 Explain the importance of undertaking assessments of children to support their mathematical development. For this one i started writing about assessing and planning the child in order to help acheive their full potential and to reach their development stage for their age... am i on the right lines?

Im so close to finish but i feel like i have hit a brick wall i only got 20% left until completed, and tutor is not helping me atm. :banghead::duh::hissyfit:

Any help would be appreciated please!

I am still stuck on this unit can anyone help with 2.1 please??

this is what ive put so far.. im stuck myself but hope it helps

1.1 Mathematical development is extremely important to children’s learning as it is an essential skill, frequently used in everyday life. It helps children to acquire thinking strategies that will help them to solve problems which will then allow them to learn and further develop in other areas. Mathematics stimulates creativity and prepares children for the skills needed in their adult life.

this is describe, explain is much more in depth using real life practice Examples.

Yes I know lol.. I had only just started that question as I had stated but wanted to offer some help..

1.1
I am a little stuck on this one myself so spoke to the group and I came up with this:
Mathematics introduces concepts, skills and strategic thinking to children. These skills are essential to everyday life and support other areas of development. Mathematical knowledge can help children make sense of patterns, shapes and numbers they will see in the world around them. Eventually they will be able to handle data and make a positive contribution in terms of their development.

1.2
Areas of learning are interdependant. This means that no matter which area of development an activity is targeting, that several others will also be developed as well.
For example, cookery could be used to support mathematics- shape, space and measurement- cutting the cookies using shapes, and spacing them evenly on trays, and of course measuring ingredients. In this activity other areas are also supported. Communication and language- children will listen to instruction and discuss what they are doing, it also provides an opportunity to extend vocabulary, whilst ensuring you are using language that children understand. There is also opportunity to encourage children to think critically about what they are doing and how they can improve. Physical development- fine and gross motor skills- is also supported, such as gripping or pinching, and stirring and pouring. This activity could also be used to support understanding the world using foods from different cultures and explaining the dangers of hot food etc. Personal, social and emotional development is supported as well as cooking is generally done in groups and children will have to work together, taking turns. Children will also gain a sense of achievement when seeing the end product developing self-esteem and self-confidence. They will also learn about self-care and choices.
2.1
It is important to assess children when supporting any area of their development. Assessment enables practitioners to find out many things about about children including, their interests, their disposition, what they understand, how they think and what they are able to do. This information allows practitioners to build a "picture" of the children to further support learning and development.
The practitioners use these assessment's information to give feedback, which is ongoing, to children and their families. This feedback enables children and their families to learn how they are getting on, where they are in their development, to help provide challenging and enjoyable experiences, to choose appropriate support and to celebrate, document and plan the next steps in their learning and development.

Hope this helps x