Children follow natural developmental progressions in learning. Curriculum research has revealed sequences of activities that are effective in guiding children through these levels of thinking. These developmental paths are the basis for Learning Trajectories. Learning Trajectories have three parts – a learning goal, a developmental path along which children develop to reach that goal, and a set of activities matched to each of the levels of thinking in that path. Together, these help children develop to higher levels of mathematical thinking.
In this talk, we will present surprising research findings about early mathematics, including its predictive power, children’s potential for learning, and what we know about effective teaching using research-based learning trajectories. Takeaways include new supports for teaching and learning early math playfully and joyfully.