1. Identify your beliefs: indicate what beliefs you have about teaching and learning mathematics for each of the following aspects: a) What is the purpose of learning mathematics in early childhood b) The role of the teacher in children learning mathematics mathematicsc) The role of the teacher in teaching mathematics to childrend) Children and their learning of mathematicsI believe that learning mathematics in the early childhood environment encourages and promotes yet another perspective for children to establish and develop their developing visions and ideals about the world. Despite this belief, before tackling this topic, I had very little understanding of how to recognize and encourage mathematical activities for children under four, other than “basic” number sense (like counting) and spatial sense (how show knowledge of 2D shapes) (MacMillan 2002). Although I enjoyed mathematical activities during my first years in a Montessori elementary school, like the participants in Holm & Kajander's (2012) study, I have since developed a rather apprehensive attitude towards mathematics and, as a result, feel worried to encourage and implement appropriate mathematical learning experiences. to children in the early childhood environment. Although recent research on early childhood education recognizes the importance of preschool learning (Perry & Dockett 2008), I find that most articles state that both the development of numeracy and literacy skills act as “preparatory” and "determining" indicators for future academic success (LeFevre et. al 2009) which, at times, overshadow and distance us from the holistic and play-based framework of the Early Years Learning Framework (Australian Gov...2009). I b...... middle of paper ......ett, S. (2008) . Young Children's Access to Powerful Mathematical Ideas, Lyn D (ed.), Handbook of International Research in Mathematics Education, 2nd edition, New York, NY: Routledge, pp. 75-108. Sherley, B., Clark, M. & Higgins, J. (2008) School readiness: what do teachers expect from children in mathematics at school entry?, in Goos, M., Brown, R. & Makar, K . (ed.) Mathematics Education Research: Navigating: Proceedings of the 31st Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australia, Brisbane, Qld: MERGA INC., pp.461-465. Shulman, L.S. (1986) Those Who Understand: Growing Knowledge in Teaching. Educational Researcher, 15(2), p.4-14.Vygotsky, L.S. (1978) Mind In Society. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.Wadham, B., Pudsey, J.& Boyd, R. (2007) Culture and Education, Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education Australia.