Abstract:

Mathematics develops numerous competences in children, namely stimulates discovery, develops autonomy, makes easier everyday life, that is, helps them in various activities, such as: counting coins and identifying the geometrical shapes of the objects. Mathematics even contributes to development of rationality in children and helps them to concentrate. In everyday life children get in touch with Mathematics unconsciously, whereby the motivation for learning Mathematics of 1st Cycle of Basic Education is of crucial importance.

This work had as a starting point the analysis of various exercises from Mathematics textbooks (from 1st to 4th year) of the 1st cycle of Basic Education which refer to the topic “Numbers and Operations”, in order to adapt them to make easier learning for children and adults (for example, adults who can’t read) with special educational needs. Special educational needs which can be found in children are many, from motor needs (as for example, difficulties in the level of fine motor skills), difficulty of vision, to the problems like attention deficit, whereby the education strategies should be personalized in accordance with different needs.

Some of the adapted activities, in the process of this work, for special education, not only for children but also for adults, are related with objects grouping (for example: joining 5 pens), ordinal numerals, establishing relations between numbers, using symbology >, <, =. The activities in this context consisted of conducting some games (some of which can be done using a computer) and using objects (e.g., pens, rubbers, pencils, cars) instead of usual work sheets.

Both for children and adults, the games is the best way to learn, since everybody likes playing. Using computers also contributes to motivation of children. The activities done this way are more attractive and stimulate usage of various senses (vision, touch and hearing) in them. The implemented strategies in the context of interactive board which is adapted to children and adults with special needs, aim to improve the teaching-learning process at a level of 1st cycle of basic education, contributing to reduction of discrimination and success and motivation of students.

Keywords:

Mathematics, Numbers and operations, Basic Education, Special Education, Implementation of education strategies.