Understanding mathematical words

Abstract

As children move through the various stages of their education, acquiring appropriate vocabulary helps them to join in classroom life. Good language and communication skills are also important in helping them to think and reason. Think about how you encourage all children to talk about their mathematical activities while they take part in them, as well as afterwards. Responding to a child's attempts to describe what they do and what they notice, helps promote confidence in speaking. Over-correcting will make children less willing to respond and try out new words and phrases.