GOALS OF MATHEMATICS EDUCATION AT PRE-ELEMENTARY AND PRIMARY LEVELS

1. MATHEMATICS EDUCATION AT PRE-ELEMENTARYAND PRIMARY LEVELS
By: Deen Mark L. Gillegao
Throughout the early life of children mathematics has already been part of their
world. They find patterns compare quantities, navigate in space and grapple with real
problems. Mathematics helps children make sense of their world and help them
construct strong foundation in school. Hence, understanding mathematics education at
pre-elementary and primary levels is important for teachers.
The goals of teaching mathematics at the early stage are to try to provide the
pupils with correct approach and real understanding of the mathematical concepts and
a solid base for their continuing education. Because of this, the emerging trend is not
only to maintain a good level of attainment in arithmetical proficiency and skills, but to
extend this aim to other fields and thus create in the pupils fresh abilities, attempting
especially to leave the way open for later adaptations. Collectively, the goals of teaching
mathematics is centered to the development of skills of pupils to develop their skills in
basic arithmetic, develop their individualized strategies of understanding to help them
solve more advanced problems. With this, the role of teacher becomes much less
apparent as a giver of information and much more available and alert as an organizer
and animator. Arithmetic remains the central subject of mathematics at these levels,
however, the introduction of other subjects varies in different places.
As per experience, mathematics during the elementary years was taught
somewhat in an abstract manner. One learns the concept today and forgets it the next
day. Textbooks were the dominant instructional material in teaching mathematics. I
believe this is quite unattractive to the students as it is tedious to read books. Arithmetic
though was taught well at this stage, partly of basic geometry and ratio and proportion.
Mathematics way back was actually interesting however, understanding some concept
is quite arduous perhaps because of the methods used which were hard to grasp that
time.

2. With the things that I already have learned, I realized that teaching mathematics
in primary level has a very big impact to the school foundations of one pupil. If they
started with phobia with numbers then it might remain until the next years. Therefore, it
is a challenge to the teachers of the 21st century on how to teach numeracy skills with
differentiated instruction so as to instigate enthusiasm among the learners. Teachers
must avoid being the sole giver of information but rather must start to give
independence to the pupils for them to develop their ways to deal with mathematical
problems and perhaps real world problems.
As a teacher in the field, since we have known several strategies in dealing and
simplifying mathematical concept, I would try to use several methods and materials in
the classroom considering the appropriateness with the subject matter. Because of the
emergence of technology nowadays, then might as well make use of it in updating for
more relevant strategies to use in the classroom. Another, in presenting topics, we
should make sure to draw interest of the pupils which importantly should emphasize
application in the real world.