Assessing preschool children’s mathematics skills in four core domains: evidence from Tanzania

Shaffy, Abla and Ibrahim, Hasniza (2026) Assessing preschool children’s mathematics skills in four core domains: evidence from Tanzania. International Journal of Advanced Research in Education and Society, 8 (4). pp. 857-869. E-ISSN 2682-8138

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Abstract

This study assessed the levels of preschool children’s mathematics skills across four core domains of mathematics in Tanzania. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed, involving simple random sampling to select 57 preschool children aged 4 to 6 years drawn from 10 public and private preschools which were purposively selected. Data were collected using a structured observation checklist covering four domains: number sense, measurement, geometry, and patterns adopted and modified from Lavidas et al., (2024). Descriptive statistical analyses were used to determine the levels of children’s mathematics skills in each domain. The findings revealed that most preschool children in Tanzania perform well in Measurement, followed by Geometry and Algebra, while number and operations was the weakest. The study emphasizes the importance of targeted instructional strategies and curriculum emphasis on weaker domains to enhance overall mathematics competence at the preschool level.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Preschool children, early mathematics skills, core mathematical domains
Subjects:	L Education > L Education (General) L Education > LB Theory and practice of education L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1025 Teaching (principles and practices) L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1140 Preschool education
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Education > Department of Curriculum & Instruction Kulliyyah of Education
Depositing User:	Dr Hasniza Ibrahim
Date Deposited:	28 Aug 2026 15:36
Last Update:	28 Aug 2026 15:36
Queue Number:	2026-08-Q4946
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/131052

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