This project adopts a Froebelian approach to address identified research gaps in relation to preschool children’s 3D shape awareness.
This project is a collaboration between early childhood and mathematics education researchers, Community Playthings who make blocks, Bright Horizons Nurseries and John Hansard Gallery. The research involves 3- and 4-year-old children and educators in a Southampton, UK, city centre nursery. The innovative activities will take place inside and outside buildings in the nearby Guildhall square.
The project aims to enhance early childhood education practice through knowledge and understanding of:
- How young children experience large 3D shapes that form part of their built, urban environment.
- Changes that may occur in young children’s shape awareness when engaged in unit-block play constructions with a focus on representing large 3D shapes from their urban environment.
This focus can bring new connections to Froebelian principles for educators interested in mathematics. Shape can be accessible mathematics in play and symbolic representation of freely available experiences (Gifford 2022).
The children will have opportunities for first-hand experiences in the urban context of their local square. They can explore, through block play, large 3D shapes of buildings in their own community. It is a 3D version of taking out a sketchpad and easel.
The project is innovative in its urban focus and the researchers plan to produce an e-booklet for educators and families which will encourage Froebelian practice by showcasing communication and shape awareness e.g., outer and inner, unity and divisibility (Bruce 2021; Froebel 1986) as part of children’s lived experiences in their community.
The final report will be available to view on our website in Spring 2027.
