Physical Literacy Numeracy
Dr Maura COULTER
St Patrick’s College (A college of Dublin City University)
There is currently a great deal of attention by policy makers on standards in Mathematics. This is evidenced in Ireland by the recent Literacy and Numeracy for Lifeand Learning: The National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy Among Children and Young People (DES, 2011). The Strategy (DES, 2011) has as one of its action points to increase the amount of time spent on the teaching of literacy and numeracy (p.7) thus eroding the little time physical education commands (Woods el al., 2010). Research indicates that both mathematical development (e.g. SarachoSpodek, 2008) and physical development (e.g. Clark, 2005) is established in the earliest years. It seems clear therefore that one way to address problems in relation to mathematical attainment and the erosion of physical education lesson time might be to focus on how physical educationmight support early childhood mathematics learning and teaching. This will involve an examination of current provision of physical education for 4-6 year old children in primary school settings.
This research will examine in what ways can the early year’s physical education lessons offer potential for learning mathematical language and concepts. Initially the Physical Education Curriculum (DES, 1999) will be examined to establish if mathematical language/concepts as outlined in the Mathematics Curriculum (DES, 1999) are evident. Similar examination of the resources materials (PSSI, 2006) provided to support teachers in the teaching of physical education will be carried out. Finally 5 teachers’ physical education lessons (1 lesson each term N=15) will be video-taped and analysed for mathematical pedagogical discourses.
It is hoped that the data will show how children will be advantaged in their mathematical learning in physical education and thus slow, if not halt, the erosion of physical education time in primary schools.
References
Clark, J.E. (2005). From the beginning: a developmental perspective on movement and mobility, Quest, 57 (1), 37-45.
Department of Education and Science (1999).Physical Education Curriculum. The Stationery Office, Dublin.
Department of Education and Science (1999).Mathematics Curriculum. The Stationery Office, Dublin.
Department of Education and Skills (DES) (2011).Literacy and numeracy for life and learning: The National Strategy to improve reading and writing among children and young people 2011-2020. Dublin: DES.
Primary Schools’ Sports Initiative, (2006).Resource materials to support the Primary Physical Education Curriculum, PSSI.
Saracho, O. & Spodek, B. (2008).Contemporary perspectives on mathematics in early childhood education. United States: Information Age Publishing.
Woods, C.,Moyna, N.,Quinlin, A.,Tannehill, D., & Walsh, J. (2010).The children's sport participation and physical activity study (CSPPA).Research Report No 1. School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University and The Irish Sports Council, Dublin, Ireland.
Maura Coulter –
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