What Can We Learn from Federally-Funded Research on Early Childhood Mathematics Curricula?
Although leading professional organizations call for research-based curricula, the meaning of research based is a bit problematic. A restrictive definition might be that the curriculum should derive directly studies that focus on how mathematics should be taught. By this criterion, almost no programs would qualify. The designs of early childhood mathematics curricula are based on research investigating the development of children s mathematical thinking in the absence of instruction, not from teaching experiments. Thus, a more accurate definition of research-based curricula is one that is inspired by research on young children and attempts to translate the research into an organized program of teaching. The danger with this definition is that it can be over-inclusive. Publishers in particular may claim that their programs meet whatever standards are in place at the moment and, not surprisingly, will advertise that virtually any curriculum for young children is research-based (or develo
