A Developing Framework for Identifying Young Children’s Engagement with the Spatial Features of Play Spaces
Catherine McCluskey & Joanne MulliganIn this presentation, we report on our initial analysis of preschool children’s engagement with spatial features of play spaces. The analysis focusses on noticing an awareness of mathematical pattern and structure (AMPS) evident in their play. The notion of spatial structure in play contexts will distinguish features of dynamic action such as children’s movement through play spaces and the comparison, transformation, and navigation of 3D objects. The pattern and structure of mathematical concepts identified in this analysis will be compared with those evident in the Pattern and Structural Awareness Program (PASMAP, Mulligan & Mitchelmore, 2016). Future areas for research will be discussed.