Children's early mathematical experiences play an enormous role in the development of
their understanding of mathematics, and serve as a foundation for their cognitive
development. In this descriptive study, we observed the naturally occurring mathematical
activities engaged in by thirty-nine 3-year-olds, equally divided by race/ethnicity and social
class. We observed each child for 18hours over the course of a single week, in such a way
as to cover the equivalent of a complete day in its life. The children varied a good deal in the …