1. Identify your beliefs: Indicate your beliefs about teaching and learning mathematics for each of the following: a) What is the purpose of mathematics learning in the early childhood environment b) The role of the teacher in children's learning of mathematics c) The role of the teacher in teaching children mathematics d) Children and their learning of mathematics I believe that learning mathematics in the early childhood environment encourages and promotes a another perspective allowing children to establish and develop their developing visions and ideals about the world. Despite this belief, before tackling this topic, I had very little understanding of how to recognize and encourage mathematical activities in children under four, other than "basic" number sense (like counting) and spatial sense. (such as displaying knowledge about mathematics). 2D shapes) (MacMillan 2002). Although I enjoyed mathematical activities during my early years in a Montessori primary school, like the participants in Holm & Kajander's (2012) study, I have since developed a rather apprehensive attitude towards mathematics and, therefore, I feel concerned about encouraging and implementing adequate mathematical learning experiences. to children in the early childhood environment. Although recent research on early childhood education recognizes the importance of learning before school (Perry and Dockett 2008), I find that a majority of articles specify that the development of numeracy and Literacy acts as a “preparatory course” and “defining” indicators for future academic success (LeFevre et. al 2009) which, at times, overshadow and distance the holistic, play-based framework of literacy learning. early childhood (Australian Government... 2009). I am...... middle of paper ......ett, S. (2008). Young children's access to powerful mathematical ideas, in English, Lyn D (ed.), Handbook of international Research in Mathematics Education, 2nd ed., New York, NY: Routledge, pp. 75-108. Sherley, B., Clark, M. & Higgins, J. (2008) School readiness: what do mathematics teachers expect of children when they enter school?, in Goos, M., Brown, R . and Makar, K. (eds.) Mathematics education research: navigation: proceedings of the 31st annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australia, Brisbane, Qld: MERGA INC., pp.461-465.Shulman, LS (1986) Those who understand: the growth of knowledge in teaching. Educational Researcher, 15 (2), p.4-14. Vygotsky, L.S. (1978) Mind In Society. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Wadham, B., Pudsey, J. and Boyd, R. (2007) Culture and Education, Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education Australia.