"We live in a 3-D world, but many of our learning environments today offer few opportunities for three-dimensional exploration. Spatial reasoning is also integral to everyday life, in social studies, the arts, and geography as well as new careers like computer animation. Exploring the 3-D World will help early childhood teachers feel confident in implementing more mathematical and spatial concepts into their rooms"--
We live in a three-dimensional world, but many of our learning environments offer few opportunities for three-dimensional exploration and developing the spatial reasoning that is integral to everyday life and to closing the achievement gap.
Developing these skills in children will cultivate their curiosity, persistence, and intellectual capacity beyond the narrow definitions of academic achievement. Exploring the 3-D World covers
current research on the effectiveness of developing spatial skills in the early yearsthe essential components of playful explorationkey spatial skills that are important for children to learnhow visual representations such as displays of data, drawing, and documentation open new pathways to learningvocabulary and conversation starters to expand learningactivities for families to try at home with recommended children’s books that reinforce the spatial skills introduced
The skills are accompanied with illustrated examples of activities taken from public preschool and kindergarten classrooms, private preschools and child care centers, and home settings.
Help develop young children's spatial reasoning and math skills through play.