Outcome 3.2 Counting Bottles

Abe was about 2 years old and was playing outside and began “COUNTING BOTTLES”

This is a favourite family video. We often watch and comment on the amazing mathematical understanding Abe displays.

He carefully places bottles in patterns – first a line and then in the squares the pavers offer.  His placement is not random. He’s careful about where the bottles go. Using the chalk on the pavers as a guide for placement.  He forms a larger pattern with some bottles taken in pairs, others in size or places them according to colour.  He responds to my question of taking “one or two away” (subtracting).  He is acknowledges the importance of the last one and says that the one left is “sad” because he is all alone.  He also recognizes when they are all gone and uses mathematical language himself - “nothing left”. He attempts to count in order and points to indicate this.  

It’s interesting that he still sees himself in this way.  And at 8 nearly 9 years of age his numerical ability remains strong.  He often surprises me how quickly he can work out mathematical problems in his head.  He clearly has an ability that is part of who he is.  He also has developed this capacity and view of himself because of the support we have given him and value we have placed on this.

I realized this was a very important moment and the decision to capture his play on video highlights this.  What I can see when watching the video is the role I played to support Abe’s numeracy development.  The capacity to recognize Abe’s interest and numerate ability and support him to explore mathematical concepts in context is evident in the language I use. 

I asked Abe if it would be ok to share the video and if he wanted to sign a permission form.  He said, “No I told you its ok. “

I want to thank him for his generosity.  I also want to thank him for helping me to see that I am also numerate and able to support numeracy in others.