Building Blocks for Young Children ’ S Mathematical Development

This article describes the design principles behind a set of research-based software microworlds included in the Building Blocks program, a PreK to grade 2 software-based mathematics curriculum. Building Blocks’ approach is finding the mathematics in, and developing mathematics from, children’s activity. The materials are designed to help children extend and mathematize their everyday activities, from building blocks to art to songs and stories to puzzles. The 9-step design process model that defines what we mean by “research-based” is described and illustrated. Building Blocks is a PreK to grade 2 software-based mathematics curriculum development project, designed to comprehensively address the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2000). This article describes the design principles behind a set of research-based *This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Research Grants NSF MDR-8954664, “An Investigation of the Development of Elementary Children’s Geometric Thinking in Computer and Noncomputer Environments, and ESI-9730804, “Building Blocks—Foundations for Mathematical Thinking, Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 2: Research-based Materials Development.” Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.