Relations between play skills and mathematical skills in toddlers

The study investigates how young children’s play skills are related to children’s mathematical skills. The researcher investigates the relationships between different types of play and mathematical skills, as well as how children’s ability to play is related to mathematical skills. The research question is: How are young children’s play skills related to their mathematical skills?

The results show that there is a significant correlation between play skills, both general play skills and skills in specific types of play, and mathematical skills. The skills of interaction in play and independence in play showed the strongest correlation with mathematical skills. Different types of play, such as role play and construction play, also correlated with mathematical skills, and the researcher suggests that this is suitable play when introducing toddlers to mathematics.

The study is part of the Stavanger project called The Learning Child, which aims to obtain research-based knowledge about child development from 2 ½ to 10 years old. The data material in this study consists of 1088 kindergarten children (532 girls and 556 boys) who were observed during a three-month period from the age of 2 ½ years. The children came from 86 different kindergartens, both public and private. The children’s skills in mathematics and play were measured through structured observation. The data material was statistically analysed.

Reikerås, E. (2020). “Relations between play skills and mathematical skills in toddlers”. ZDM - Mathematics Education, 52(2020):703–716.