Abstract
My answer is that it is never too early. In order to learn arithmetic it is necessary to think algebraically, although not necessarily using symbols. Some evidence for algebraic thinking amongst young children is given, followed by suggestions as to why such thinking has not always been promoted and developed. Specific pedagogic actions are outlined that focus on the expression of generality as the core of algebraic thinking, including examples of task-contexts that invoke reasoning both with and without using numbers. Finally, it is proposed that the critical feature for promoting algebraic thinking is not the tasks given to learners, but rather the opportunities noticed by teachers for calling upon learners’ powers to express and manipulate generalities, and that this is enriched when teachers engage in similar tasks at their own level, so as to sensitize themselves to pedagogic opportunities when working with learners.
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Mason, J. (2018). How Early Is Too Early for Thinking Algebraically?. In: Kieran, C. (eds) Teaching and Learning Algebraic Thinking with 5- to 12-Year-Olds. ICME-13 Monographs. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68351-5_14
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