Effectiveness of a Symmetry Software Intervention for Young Children: An Experimental Evaluation

• In Event: Early Childhood Math

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether children’s understanding of symmetric transformations— reflection, translation, and rotation—can be expanded through the use of software designed to teach symmetry concepts to young children. A significant joint effect for treatment condition on the three outcomes was found, controlling for pre-intervention ability on symmetric transformations tasks. A joint significant difference in accurate identification and explanation of symmetric transformations due to the treatment status was also found, and there were positive correlations between accuracy and the domains assessed at post-test and between explanations and the domains assessed at post-test. Implications for incorporating symmetry concepts into early childhood mathematics instruction and play experiences are discussed.

Authors

• Nicole Fletcher, Fairfield University

• Diego Armando Luna Bazaldua, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

• Herbert P. Ginsburg, Teachers College, Columbia University