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New Innovation and Idea | Mathematics | Zambia | Volume 12 Issue 3, March 2023 | Popularity: 5.4 / 10
A Child's Counting Skills: An Observational Study in Selected Villages Surrounding Maliko University
Getrude Chimfwembe-Gondwe
Abstract: There is a growing awareness that many children from vulnerable communities are not stepping ahead in the acquiring of certain arithmetic skills such as counting. Counting is a surprisingly intricate process by which children call number values by name. This study investigated children ability to count from 1 to 5 and count on the number line. The research objectives were to ascertain counting skills of children aged 3-4 years ,establish if children aged 3-4 years can recognise numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 (thus 2 stands for two birds) and ascertain behaviours/ reasons contributing to ability to count or in-ability to count. The theory that was used was the cognitive science theory propounded by Barbara W. Sarnecka & Charles E. Wright. The research philosophy and design was pragmatism and exploratory sequential respectively. The sample was-thirty- four children who were mainly snowballed from various villages. The findings were that, some children could count both orally and using fingers, others could count but skipped numeral 4,others could count starting from 4 instead of 1, verbal counters were also found, others could count but not concentrate when pointing at the objects, some could count with objects, others were not able to count either with objects or without objects, some could count some numerals thus 1,2,3, others left within the process of counting while others exhibited traits of being shy. When a task was given concerning counting on the number line, some children could count on the number line, others could count from 2 to 4 and could skip 1 and 5, some ended at counting 1 and 2 only, others could not count at all, while others could say the number correct from 1 to 4 but pointing at different numbers. The study recommended stepping up counting activities in villages surrounding Maliko University and that further study should find out recognition, subtraction and addition skills of non-school going early children in villages surrounding Maliko University.
Keywords: Counting, number line, oral/verbal counting, pragmatism, exploratory sequential
Edition: Volume 12 Issue 3, March 2023
Pages: 200 - 208
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.21275/SR23219071748
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