2.1

2.1

There are many theorists who have there own structure and concepts for the learning of numeracy and literacy. Therefore they all differ and have different focuses in regards to the approach towards education. Piagets theory which focuses on what children cannot do, as they believe that children so young are cognitively immature therefore they are not capable of understanding the abstract concepts or the logical thinking required within numeracy, specifically mathematics. The past 25 years many other theorists have focused on what children can do more than what they cannot do. They have been able to accumulate a wealth of evidence that children are a lot more competent to numeracy, literacy and specifically mathematics abilities than what Piagets theory believes. Vygotsky states that even though certain children display different kinds of mathematical ineptitude they also show astonishing competence. As Vygotsky believes that:

“Children's learning begins long before they enter school … they have had to deal with operations of division, addition, subtraction, and the determination of size. Consequently, children have their own preschool arithmetic, which only myopic psychologists could ignore.”

In regards to Vygotskys and Piagets theories I believe both have positive aspects in regards to early education learning of numeracy and literacy. I specifically agree with the statement made by Vygotsky in regards to learning begins long before the young children read school. I support this aspect, as I believe a young child between the ages of birth to 4 years old is the most critical learning stages of their lives. Therefore as an educator we need to address different theorists concepts in order to further our knowledge to provide young children with satisfactory early learning. 

References:

Early Childhood Australia. (2009). Australasian Journal of Early Childhood – Volume 34 No 4 December, pp. 37–45. Accessed from: http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/australian_journal_of_early_childhood/ajec_index_abstracts/early_childhood_teachers_misconceptions_about_mathematics_education_for_young_children_in_the_united_states.html