Ask most children and adults what the equal sign means and you’ll likely hear, “That’s where the answer goes.” But studies have shown that seeing the equal sign as a prompt to write an answer has a serious impact on children’s mathematical understanding, especially when it comes to algebra and reasoning.
Algebra is not just about solving equations — it’s about developing a way of thinking that connects numbers, logic and relationships.
Children can distinguish the difference between one dot or two dots at two years old, without counting them. This is called subitising.
Rekenreks are not abacuses! The word rekenrek is a Dutch word that means counting rack. Rekenreks can be very useful tools to build number sense.
