A Study Of The Family Cultural Capital And Young Children's Mathematics Learning

Under the guidance of Bourdieu's family cultural capital theory, this study aimed to investigate young children's home experiences of learning mathematics and their family cultural capital. Research analysis focused on the influences of family cultural capital on early mathematics learning.The samples were 460 parents of young children aged 4-6 years randomly selected from 8 different kindergartens in Shanghai, and the study had been conducted based on the self-developed "Home Cultural Environment Questionnaires", "Parental Beliefs of Early Mathematic Learning and Teaching Questionnaires" and "Home Math Parent/Child Interaction Questionnaire". Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics, t-test, one way ANOVA, correlation and regression analysis methods.The major findings of this study were as follows:1. All children experienced some mathematics learning at home, and the frequency of number and counting interaction activities were the highest. Parents used examples mostly to facilitate young children's mathematics learning. It was found parental "education" and "living district" will affect children's home experiences of learning mathematics. There was significant difference on Children's mathematics experiences among different age children.2. Parents provided rich home cultural environment for young children. Children's home cultural environment under the diverse family background factor showed significant difference. There were no significant differences on children's home cultural environment based on children's gender and age.3. The constructivist perspective about early mathematic learning and teachingr was more acceptabled to the parents of young children. It was found parental "education", "occupation" and "living district" will affect their beliefs of early mathematics learning and teaching. There were no significant differences on parental beliefs based on children's gender and age.4. The significant correlation existed between young children's mathematical learning experience at home and variables of family cultural capital which includes parental education, home cultural environment and parental beliefs of early mathematics learning and teaching.5. The effects of different variables in family cultural capital on young children's mathematical learning experience at home were different. The home cultural environment and parental beliefs were the straight forward and effective to children's mathematical learning experience. Parental education took effect indirectly through home cultural environment and parental beliefs.Based on the research results, suggestions were proposed for teachers of early education, parents and future researchers.