Location: online via Zoom
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm (CET)

Prof. Dr. Hedwig Gasteiger (Institute of Mathematics, University of Osnabrück)

Early Mathematics Education – Challenges for the Training of Prospective Early Childhood Education Professionals

The importance of early mathematics education for subsequent mathematical learning has been empirically demonstrated many times. Early childhood education professionals therefore play a crucial role in providing children with a mathematically stimulating learning environment at an early stage, in order to support all children in developing their mathematical abilities in an age-appropriate way.

However, the training of early childhood education professionals in Germany currently offers only limited learning opportunities in which competencies for supporting early mathematical learning processes can be acquired. This, in turn, creates a considerable need for the professional development of vocational school teachers who train early childhood education professionals, since in their own university studies and training the design of subject-specific educational processes in early childhood settings also plays a rather subordinate role. Within the framework of the cross-state QuaMath program, this challenge in the training of prospective early childhood education professionals is being addressed. A professional development program on early mathematics education at vocational schools for social pedagogy has been designed, building on qualification and in-service training programs that have already been tested and evaluated.

The lecture focuses on the background, structure, and content of this professional development program and presents initial insights into research findings on professionalization.

The colloquium will be held in German.

Please request the Zoom link from pina(at)fh-potsdam.de