Early Childhood Education focusing on Mathematics and Technology
This course provides an introduction to the field of mathematics. It covers both children’s and the student´s own relationship to mathematics, as well as mathematical learning theories related to gender. The course considers children’s mathematical activities and exploration in their daily lives.

In the course, mathematics is treated as a language and studied using practical-aesthetic and multimodal forms of expression. The course also give an introduction to technology.
The use of pedagogical documentation is extended as a tool to monitor and challenge learning processes, as well as to reflect on the students’ own pedagogical actions. The course content is consistently discussed in relation to the task of a preschool teacher and the objectives of the curriculum:
- the importance of play for children’s use of mathematics;
- how children create meaning from the study of signs and symbols;
- various practical-aesthetic approaches that stimulate mathematics;
- stimulate and challenge children's interest in technology;
- listening and conversation as didactic tools.
The course is offered for international exchange students, students from the Program in Early Childhood Education as well as students who have applied for the course as a free standing (single subject) course.
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Course structure
The course is offered autumn semesters and spring semesters.
Study pace: Full time studies, 100%.
Modules
Course module: Basic mathematics and technology in preschool (1 credit)
The module aims for the student to, through course literature and through their own exploration in workshops, learn how children’s play and exploration of signs, symbols, and other expressions carry meaning for mathematical and technical learning.
Course module: Teaching mathematics in the everyday life in preschool (2 credits)
The module aims for the student to acquire knowledge of practical and aesthetic learning processes; to show knowledge of elementary mathematical learning; and to use practical aesthetic forms of expression and play in the planning of activities that stimulate mathematical learning.
Course module: Mathematics, learning theories and theories of knowledge (2 credits)
The module aims for the student to be able to describe, compare, and relate different theories to mathematical learning and to relate them to the preschool’s policy documents.
Course module: Mathematics - explorative work and teaching (7 credits)
The module aims for the student to acquire knowledge of the basics of the mathematical concepts of space, form, position, and direction; the basic properties of quantities, amounts, orders, and number concepts, as well as the basics of measurement, time and change; to provide knowledge on how to use pedagogical documentation as a tool to monitor mathematical learning processes; how to reflect on one’s own relationship to mathematics and to reflect on mathematical learning theories related to gender.
Teaching format
Instruction is given in the form of seminars, lectures, workshops/laboratory work, individual assignments and group assignments, as well via the learning and collaboration platform Athena.
Specified teaching sessions are mandatory. Absence must be compensated for as described in the study guide.
Study Guide
The Study Guide for the course will be published at the latest one month prior to the course start.
Study Guide UB314F Early Childhood Education Focusing on Mathematics and Technology Spring_2022_ (432 Kb)
Study Guide the autumn semester 2022 (to be updated at the latest one month prior to the course start)
Assessment
Forms of examination
- The course module Basic mathematics and technology in preschool is examined on the basis of participation in workshops (grading G = Pass U= Fail).
- The course module Teaching mathematics in the everyday life in preschool is examined on the basis of an oral and written group examination (grading G = Pass U= Fail).
- The course module Mathematics, learning theories and theories of knowledge is examined on the basis of participation in examining seminars (grading G = Pass U= Fail) and an individual paper (grading G = Pass U= Fail).
- The course module Mathematics - explorative work and teaching is examined on the basis of and Individual paper (grading A-F).
In order to pass the course, students must at least receive grade E or G on all examinations, complete all assignments as per the course description and complete all obligatory attendance.
For more information about the examinations please see the study guide for the relevant semester.
Next opportunity for re-examination
The next opportunity for re-examination will take place the 16th of August 2022.
Students who want to re-take the examination shall contact the course administrator at the latest the 1st of July.
The assignments will be the same and will be handed in on the Athena page no later than 16th of August 17.00.
Examiner
Spring semester 2022: Emilie Moberg
Autumn semester 2022: Emilie Moberg
Spring semester 2023:
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Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.The course is offered spring and autumn semesters.
Spring semester 2022 April 5th until June 3rd
Schedule spring semester 2022 (Preliminary until one month prior to the course start)
Autumn semester 2022 November 14th until January 13th
Schedule autumn semester 2022 (To be published at the latest one month prior to the course start)
Spring semester 2023 tba
Schedule autumn semester 2022 (To be published at the latest one month prior to the course start)
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Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
The course literature will be published at the latest two months prior to the course start.
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Course reports
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More information
Combine courses to study a full semester
Please note that it is possible to combine with the following two courses in order to study a full semester 30 credits (ECTS) focusing on science, technology, education for sustainable development, mathematics and explorative learning in the context of Early Childhood Education.
Early Childhood Education Focusing on Science and Education for Sustainability, 12 credits (ECTS).
Early Childhood Education: Explorative Learning, 6 credits (ECTS).
How to apply
Application - a Step by Step Guide
It is important that you docucment your eligibility and language proficiency in your application. You can find more information at universityadmissions.se:
Documenting English proficiency
Exchange students
Please note that exchange students apply according to a separate routine.
Anmälan till kursen för dig som läser Förskollärarprogrammet
Studenter inom Förskollärarprogrammet som vill läsa den engelska terminen anmäler sig till kursen/kurserna via institutionen. Ett informationsmöte om detta hålls under termin två i anslutning till föreläsning.
More information about studying at Stockholm University
New student at Stockholm University
Welcome activities for new students
Directions and Maps
Please note that the lectures/seminars will take place at several different areas of the Stockholm University campus. Please take the time to check directions before the lectures.
In most cases you have lectures at the Department of Child and Youth Studies.
See directions to the Department of Child and Youth Studies.You will also have a few lectures at the Department of Teaching and Learning.
See directions to the Department of Teaching and LearningOne seminar will take place in the building called “Stallet” located at Svante Arrhenius väg 19F (Google Maps).
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Meet us
Meet our students
Meet the exchange student Nagomi Sugiyama from Japan
Nagomi was studying courses in Early Childhood Education during the fall semester 2020 at the Department of Child and Youth Studies.
Nagomi Sugiyama -
Contact
If you have questions regarding the content of the course please contact the teacher responsible for the course. If you have administrative questions regarding admissions, registration, registration of grades etc. please contact the course administrator.
Teacher responsible for the course and course examiner:
Emilie Moberg, e-mail: emilie.moberg@buv.su.se
Course administrator: Malin Håkansson, e-mail: malin.hakansson@buv.su.se