Mathematical objects linked to statistics and probability in Early Childhood Education: an analysis from textbooks

Abstract

This article analyzes how the contents of statistics and probability are addressed in the textbooks of Early Childhood Education in Chile. For this, we used theoretical tools of the Ontosemiotic Approach to Mathematical Knowledge and Instruction, which have allowed us to investigate mathematical objects (problem situations, language, concepts, and procedures) linked to the study of statistics and probability in textbooks for Early Childhood Education. The results show, first, the absence of activities associated with the study of probability and, secondly, an adequate and gradual approach towards the construction of certain basic notions of statistics. These results provide valuable information to improve the presentation of these contents in textbooks for Early Childhood Education.

Keywords:
Textbooks; Early childhood education; Mathematical objects; Statistics; Probability