Mathematical Beginnings: Problem Solving for Young Children

This resource from Claire Publications contains ideas which aim to develop children's knowledge and understanding of mathematics by involving them in a wide variety of enjoyable and stimulating problem solving activities. The authors believe that the only purpose in learning mathematics is to solve problems and that children can only become good 'problem solvers' if they are involved in new, unusual and stimulating situations that challenge them. The activities are designed to encourage students to think for themselves and develop their own solutions to problems. Guidelines for the teacher and extension challenges are provided with each activity and the open-ended nature of most of the activities enables them to be used in subsequent years with the same children.