From knowledge to action: Mathematical promotion in the day care centre

New research project at the University of Paderborn

The mathematics didactic competence of nursery school teachers is central so that children can develop good basic mathematical skills even before they start school. The ability to recognise mathematics in everyday situations in the day-care centre, for example when setting the table or doing a puzzle, seems to be particularly important. Exactly what role this situational observation and perception plays in the quality of mathematical support in the day care centre will be investigated starting next year in the "MasiK" project led by the University of Paderborn in cooperation with the University of Osnabrück. The researchers are conducting an intervention study with kindergarten teachers from North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. The project is supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) with about half a million euros. It will run for three years.

More effective training and further education for educators

The experts want to find out how the ability to perceive situations influences the connection between mathematics-related knowledge and the ability of educators to act pedagogically and didactically in the field of early mathematics education. Prof. Dr. Julia Bruns, project leader at the University of Paderborn, explains: "Through a better understanding of the correlations, more effective training and further education opportunities for (prospective) educators can be developed to promote the mathematical development of children in early education. The results of this study can thus not only contribute to a theoretical gain in knowledge, but also have practical relevance for the training and further education of educators."

The project will start in April. The team expects the first results in summer 2025.