Increasing Logico-Mathematical Thinking in Low SES Preschoolers

Abstract

Traditionally, children in low socioeconomic status (SES) inner-city areas in the United States lack experiences that prepare them for academic success, especially in math and science. The purpose of this research was to determine the extent to which a constructivist curriculum emphasizing logical thinking produces higher level thinking in low-SES preschool children. Fifty preschool children participated in the study and were pre- and posttested using Piagetian tasks. Results indicated that 84% of the students in the experimental group progressed at least one level, but only 36% of the control group progressed at least one level. Implications of the study are that implementing higher order thinking activities could result in improved logico-mathematical thinking in low-SES preschoolers.

Keywords:

• cognitive learning theory
• mathematics education
• preschool
• constructivism