Teaching Numeracy and Science in Early Childhood Education
Date Issued
2023-04-01
Author(s)
Huseyn, Nazrin
Allahverdiyeva, Afsana
Abstract
Every year, thousands of children are enrolled in different preschool institutions in
Azerbaijan. Preschool education has a significant impact in the development of children including
their cognitive, behavioral, social-emotional and physical development. At the same time, teaching
methodology of pre-school educators is important for the learning of children.
This study explores perceptions of preschool educators in teaching numeracy and science in
Early Childhood Education and challenges they are facing during the teaching process. Meanwhile,
support mechanisms by preschool principals are identified in this paper based on the interviews with
principals of different public kindergartens. Ultimately, quantitative and qualitative data collection
was conducted with preschool educators and principals of kindergartens to reveal the factors that
create the challenges for teachers in teaching numeracy and science and the support provided for
those teachers in order to overcome them.
The findings highlighted that teachers use various methods and tools while teaching
numeracy and science in kindergartens. They teach the basic concepts of numeracy and science
through entertainment, integration with other subjects, and individual approach to each child.
Meanwhile, the findings revealed that preschool educators face some challenges while teaching
numeracy and science in kindergartens. Inappropriate methodology, lack of resources, and
insufficient knowledge on the new curriculum create drawbacks for teachers in numeracy and science
classes.
Additionally, support that principal would provide are organization of regular consultations, trainings
and seminars to enrich the knowledge of teachers and help them in overcoming their difficulties.
Considering the needs and challenges of pre-school teachers, a Practical Handbook is
developed based on the content of the national curriculum and best practices of other countries in
order to provide further support for pre-school educators in teaching early numeracy and science.
Azerbaijan. Preschool education has a significant impact in the development of children including
their cognitive, behavioral, social-emotional and physical development. At the same time, teaching
methodology of pre-school educators is important for the learning of children.
This study explores perceptions of preschool educators in teaching numeracy and science in
Early Childhood Education and challenges they are facing during the teaching process. Meanwhile,
support mechanisms by preschool principals are identified in this paper based on the interviews with
principals of different public kindergartens. Ultimately, quantitative and qualitative data collection
was conducted with preschool educators and principals of kindergartens to reveal the factors that
create the challenges for teachers in teaching numeracy and science and the support provided for
those teachers in order to overcome them.
The findings highlighted that teachers use various methods and tools while teaching
numeracy and science in kindergartens. They teach the basic concepts of numeracy and science
through entertainment, integration with other subjects, and individual approach to each child.
Meanwhile, the findings revealed that preschool educators face some challenges while teaching
numeracy and science in kindergartens. Inappropriate methodology, lack of resources, and
insufficient knowledge on the new curriculum create drawbacks for teachers in numeracy and science
classes.
Additionally, support that principal would provide are organization of regular consultations, trainings
and seminars to enrich the knowledge of teachers and help them in overcoming their difficulties.
Considering the needs and challenges of pre-school teachers, a Practical Handbook is
developed based on the content of the national curriculum and best practices of other countries in
order to provide further support for pre-school educators in teaching early numeracy and science.