Formation of concept of decimal system in Mexican school children

• Main Authors: L. Quintanar Rojas, Y. Rosas Rivera, Y. Solivieva, M. A. García Flores
• Format: Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Moscow State University of Psychology and Education 2013-04-01
• Series: Клиническая и специальная психология
• Subjects: school age; skills in mathematics abilities; teaching of numeric system; activity theory applied to education
• Online Access: http://psyjournals.ru/psyclin/2013/n1/58939.shtml

The present study deals with initial formation of concept of decimal system in second year of education at primary school in Mexico (City of Puebla). Our research is based on Activity Theory conception of teaching-learning process and of gradual introduction of scientific concepts in school age. The method has been designed and worked out with the help of actions in which logic, symbolic, spatial and mathematical aspects were implemented. All actions were introduced within divided activity of children in group guided by adult. A pretest-posttest design was used with an experimental group of Mexican school children. The results showed that children have developed the significant skills necessary for understanding the concept of decimal number system. They were also able to apply this concept for new kind if activity al the end of school year. Such new activity was solving of mathematic problems, which was not included in official school program. We consider that proposed method can be an approximation for solution of common difficulties which arise at primary school concerning teaching of mathematics.