ALGEBRA in the Early Years? Yes!



Educators need to offer young children a solid foundation of algebraic thinking. Children can construct knowledge about each of algebra’s major components through play. Algebra is a gatekeeper subject. High school students who do not take Algebra face obstacles in further academic pursuits. To read PDF files, get here.

What? Algebra? Don’t say yikes! Say yes! It is never too early to start thinking in terms of algebra. Of course, I am not suggesting that we ask kindergartners to solve 3y – 6 = 45. But we do need to offer young children a solid foundation of algebraic thinking. It is no longer satisfactory to simply “cover” patterns or “introduce” algebraic concepts in brief miniunits. We cannot be content with teaching only two-color patterns or offering math as a concept disconnected from the lives of children. Full text» [PDF, 407KB]

"ALGEBRA in the Early Years? Yes!" Taylor-Cox, Jennifer. Young Children. National Association for the Education of Young Children. 2003. English. [PDF, 407KB]

Last Reviewed: January 2010