Bringing Math to Life: Sparking Joy and Curiosity Through Play
Do you feel less confident or enthusiastic about incorporating math experiences into your early childhood program? If so, you’re not alone! Many early educators feel more comfortable teaching language and literacy than math. This hesitation may stem from your own experiences as a young learner.
If you’re looking for inspiration to bring joyful math moments into children’s play and make this learning visible to families, this webinar is for you! Young children are curious about Math-related concepts and Math connects to every aspect of a developmentally appropriate practice in early learning. In this idea-filled session presented by experienced educator, researcher, and writer Deanna Pecaski McLennan, we’ll reimagine what math looks like in early childhood. You will explore ways to reinvigorate your practice with hands-on, integrated activities that excite and engage young learners based on Deanna’s real-life examples from her kindergarten classroom.
Discover how to create invitations for young children to explore math through art, literacy, and outdoor play. We’ll focus on designing learning spaces where children see themselves as mathematical thinkers, valuing their ideas in meaningful and authentic ways. Drawing from her extensive experience and her books, Deanna will inspire you to approach math with curiosity, take risks, experiment with new strategies, observe deeply, and collaborate with children as co-learners. Let’s transform the way we think about early math together!
In this workshop you will:
reflect upon your definition of math and where it can be found in the early childhood classroom
explore stories, vignettes, and photos illustrating how educators can develop learning environments that foster curiosity and wonder in mathematics
gather practical and easy to implement suggestions for how to invite children to engage in mathematical play throughout the day
learn ways to document children’s experiences to make math learning visible to families and the greater community
Speaker
Bringing Math to Life: Sparking Joy and Curiosity Through Play
Pre-school - Kindergarten
Deanna Pecaski McLennan
Ph.D
Amherstburg, ON, CA
Deanna Pecaski McLennan, Ph.D., is a passionate full-day kindergarten educator, researcher and writer from Southern Ontario, Canada who has spent over twenty-five years working with young children. Deanna has authored more than thirty articles for journals including Teaching Children Mathematics, Early Childhood Education Journal, Young Children, and Teaching Young Children. She has devoted her research and practice to exploring the potential for rich mathematics learning through playful inquiry and exploration. Deanna appreciates looking at life through a mathematical lens, and recognizes opportunities for authentic, complex engagement in all experiences children have while at school. Deanna is also a mom to three children and knows firsthand the important of supporting and improving their confidence, fluency and accuracy in mathematics. She considers herself a life-long learner and has spent the last several years transforming her classroom into a safe and supportive space where children can take risks without the use of rigid programming, rote practice or worksheets. Deanna believes that educators benefit from sharing their journeys with one another and actively uses reflective writing, technology and social media to connect with others from around the world. .
Video
This content will be available to registered attendees on October 23rd starting at 9:00 AM CDT.
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