Standard symbolic operations with small numbers
Addition and subtraction
Standard symbolic calculations arise directly out of the preceding ones, children's previous knowledge and understandings combining to support simple calculations with small numbers and quantities.
Addition Jax (5 years, 2 months) was adding grapes. By using dots (an iconic form), reinforced by the numerals '6' and '4' implies numerals or quantities. This can be read as "6 and 4 = ten", Jax having written the initial 't' of ten.
symbolic operations with small numbers
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Numerals only Peter (5 years, 9 months) (also adding grapes) has used his own abbreviated calculation, which, provided he reads it to us, can be understood as "4 - 3 = 1".
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More grapes: dots and numerals Mary (5 years, 4 months) used a combination of iconic and symbolic responses, with the minus and equals signs implied, denoting "6, minus / subtract 3 equals 3".
symbolic operations with small numbers
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