TCM March Article - Sand and Water Table Play

This article discusses a study in which the authors observed pre-school children at play. These particular children were engaged at the classrooms sand and water play table, and the authors wanted to determine if mathematics could be found in their simply daily play routines. The authors goal was to understand how these particular children would interact with the provided materials and what basic math ideas and concepts would be evident even in their early play. The authors end the article by providing and discussing how this type of play can provide and encourage current and future mathematical learning and exploration.

I found the subject of this article very interesting, because of the concept of these children starting their mathematical explorations at such a young age. The idea is so simple yet seems to be so commonly overlooked, that the exploration of basic math concepts starts in simply play at a young age. If these students can be provided with even more opportunities to begin exploring math through fun play activities at the pre-school age, then there is no telling how far we as educators can take the positive promotion of math in future students.