• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.745-757
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to explore status of mathematical interactions between parent and child and use of mathematical materials at home. For this purpose, questionnaires were developed. The framework of the questionnaires consisted of mathematics education content domains. 276 parents(4-5 year old children) in J Province responded to the questionnaires, which were analyzed according to the level of home income, the mother's work conditions and the mother's level of education. The results were as follows: First, between parent and child mathematical interaction at home showed a 2.84 score in average and frequency of mathematical interaction expressed in the domains of 'Understanding of regularity', 'Measurement', 'Growing number sense', 'Space and shapes', 'Organizing data and showing results'. The domains of 'Growing number sense', 'space and shapes', and 'measurement' showed significant difference only by mother's level of education. The higher the mother's level of education, the more frequent the mathematical interaction between parent and child. Second, the use of mathematical materials showed an average score of 1.18, which means mathematical materials were practically not used at home. Also, the use of mathematical materials showed a slightly significant difference when measures against the levels of home income and the mother's level of education. The results showed a significant difference in parent-child mathematical interactions, and the possession and use of mathematical materials when measures against by level of home income and the mother's work conditions. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that the parent education program for mathematical interaction to apply at home and mathematics curriculum to be connected early in childhood education institution and home should be developed for parents.