Learning through picture books is a method which is widely used in preschools to teach mathematics. However, the research findings on the benefits of using picture books in learning mathematics remain inconclusive. This study aimed to i) investigate the effects of a picture book entitled "What are the numbers?" (a picture book made up flora and fauna in Borneo) on early mathematics achievement (reading and writing numerals up to 20) and ii) to get feedback on how appropriate the use of "what are the numbers" from teachers and parents. The book consists elements of critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creative thinking. The effects were measured by comparing the change in early mathematical ability of children in reading and writing numerals up to 20 by using the Rasch measurement model. The mean of the pre-test achievement was -1.99 logits and the mean of the post-test achievement was 1.75 logits which shows a difference of 3.74 logits. The effect size of the difference between the post-test and pre-test achievement was 1.4, which is considered large. Teachers and parents gave positive feedback on the use of the picture book. They commented that the picture book is able to attract children's attention, enhance their thinking skills and nurture creativity among children. In conclusion, the picture book based on the 4C approach enhanced early mathematics achievement of children.
Using games as a context for assessing children’s mathematical abilities is not unusual, but this study investigated the potential of games designed specifically for the purpose of assessment. Children in prior-to-school settings in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, were exposed to a range of such games, including the how many hidden game, which focuses on number sense, which is the subject of this paper. Children’s responses while playing the game were recorded, and we report the range of successful responses to the game, as well as the age of the children involved.
Keywords: How many hidden; assessment; mathematical abilities; number sense; game
Menyediakan kanak-kanak untuk pendidikan matematik awal adalah penting. Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk mengenal pasti tahap pencapaian matematik awal, mengenal pasti dan membandingkan kesan tiga kaedah mengajar (permainan, buku nombor dan lembaran kerja) terhadap pencapaian matematik awal dalam kalangan kanak-kanak prasekolah di daerah Tuaran, Sabah. Instrumen yang digunakan dalam kajian ini adalah Ujian Pencapaian Matematik awal (UPMA) yang telah diadaptasi daripada Ginsburg dan Baroody (2003) mengikut Kurikulum Standard Prasekolah Kebangsaan. Seramai 1108 orang kanak-kanak prasekolah kebangsaan di daerah Tuaran, Sabah terlibat dalam kajian yang menggunakan kaedah kuasi eksperimen multi lokasi. Responden kajian terdiri daripada kanak-kanak prasekolah yang berumur 4+ dan 5+. 382 orang kanak-kanak mengikuti kaedah permainan, 349 orang kanak-kanak mengikuti kaedah buku nombor dan 377 orang kanak-kanak mengikuti kaedah lembaran kerja. Kanak-kanak prasekolah menduduki ujian pra, seterusnya adalah program intervensi selama 13 minggu dan diakhiri dengan ujian pasca. Statistik deskriptif dan statistik inferen (ujian-t bebas, ANOVA satu hala dan ANCOVA) menggunakan SPSS versi-21 dengan mengambil kira markah ujian pra sebagai kovariat digunakan dalam kajian ini. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan min markah yang signifikan dalam pencapaian matematik awal mengikut kaedah mengajar yang berbeza. Kaedah permainan menyumbang secara signifikan terhadap pencapaian matematik awal berbanding dengan kaedah buku nombor dan lembaran kerja.
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