International Teacher Education Conference 2014 1

International Teacher Education Conference 2014
Causal Model of Mathematical Competences in Kindergarten
Božidar Tepeš a Vladimir Šimović b Krunoslav Tepeš c *
ª Prof. , Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb, Croatia, Savska cesta 77
b Prof., Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb, Croatia, Savska cesta 77
c City Office for Transport, Zagreb, Croatia, Trg Stjepana Radića 1
Abstract
In this paper, the authors defined mathematical competences for kindergarten children. Mathematical
competences were grouped in following areas: language/data, geometry and arithmetic. Statistical set for the
research consisted of 77 children from the kindergarten in Zagreb, Croatia. Authors had 19 measuring variables
together with the evaluated results of described tasks. Methods for causal modelling were described in three
steps. Results were analysed in three causal models for language/data, geometry, and arithmetic. Causal models
were represented in three directed acyclic graphs. Authors analysed these three causal models and gave critical
views of the research.
Keywords.
Mathematical Competences in Pre-School Education
Kindergartens are pre-school education institutions. In Croatia, kindergarten teachers use curriculum for
kindergarten in Croatia (MZOS 2013) and additional curriculum unit (M. Kliman 2004 & 2006). Kindergarten
teachers have to learn children mathematical competences. Mathematical competences are mathematical
knowledge, skills and abilities. Mathematical competences in kindergarten can be divided in the following
manner:
Mathematical language/space competences,
Mathematical geometry competences,
Mathematical arithmetic competences
The most important part is to learn kindergarten children mathematical concepts, relations and operations.
Prerequisite competences in natural language are important in regard to teaching and learning. Natural language
is important for communication between teachers and children.
The mathematical language/data competences include:
Natural language:
Word analysis and synthesis,
Telling the stories,
Ability to focus on activity
The mathematical geometry competences include:
Spaces relations:
More or less,
Before and after,
Above and under,
Left and right
Data:
Painting and writing letters,
Counting the same objects,
Differentiating between letters and number
Geometric objects:
Distinction lines and surfaces,
Recognizing simple sharps,
Recognizing simple bodies
E-mail address: bozidar.tepes@ufzg.hr , vladimir.simovic@ufzg.hr , krunoslav.tepes@zagreb.hr
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