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Forging Connections in Early Mathematics Teaching and Learning pp 73–95Cite as

Geometry Learning in the Early Years: Developing Understanding of Shapes and Space with a Focus on Visualization

Part of the Early Mathematics Learning and Development book series (EMLD)

Abstract

In this chapter, we address children’s geometry learning in the early years with a focus on visualization. We start the chapter with some background information about visualization in mathematics and geometry and its relationship with language and gestures paying special attention to the early years. The next parts of the chapter aim to give insight into how young children solve geometrical activities with emphasis on the uses of visualization in developing understanding of space and shape concepts. In particular, we discuss three different research approaches which investigated young children’s development of geometrical thinking when dealing with shapes’ transformations, imaginary perspective taking, and space and shape aspects with the use of gestural and verbal acts. Finally, in light of the above, a number of conclusions are drawn about the multiple qualities and uses of visualization in the development of the understanding of shapes and space and the diverse factors that may intervene in early geometry learning which involves the use of visualization.

Keywords

  • Geometry
  • Visualization
  • Shape transformation
  • Imaginary perspective taking
  • Spatial concepts
  • Gesture
  • Early years

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Freudenthal Institute of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands

    Iliada Elia & Marja van den Heuvel-Panhuizen

  2. University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus

    Athanasios Gagatsis

Authors
  1. Iliada Elia
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  2. Marja van den Heuvel-Panhuizen
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  3. Athanasios Gagatsis
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Iliada Elia .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia

    Virginia Kinnear

  2. Faculty of Education and Arts, School of Education, Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia

    Mun Yee Lai

  3. Faculty of Education, College of Arts, Law and Education, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

    Tracey Muir

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Elia, I., van den Heuvel-Panhuizen, M., Gagatsis, A. (2018). Geometry Learning in the Early Years: Developing Understanding of Shapes and Space with a Focus on Visualization. In: Kinnear, V., Lai, M., Muir, T. (eds) Forging Connections in Early Mathematics Teaching and Learning. Early Mathematics Learning and Development. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7153-9_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7153-9_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-7151-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-7153-9

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