The Study On The Development Of Sharing And Division In Young Children Aged 3-6

The purpose of this study was to investigate the developmental levels and the characteristics in young children's ability of sharing and their understanding of division principles, and the relationship between the ability and the understanding of this principle. A sample of 180 children aged 3—6 was randomly selected from 10 classes in two ordinary preshools in Shanghai. The investigator adapted and developed the tests from Frydman and Jieqi Chen. Individual interview was the main method used in this study, and meanwhile young children's responses in the whole test was also used to investigate young children's ability to share and their understanding of division principles. The relationship between young children's ability of sharing and young children's ability of division was also analysed in this study.The results indicated:1.young children aged 3—6 have developed the ability of sharing to a certain extent.2. there are age differences in young children's ability of sharing, but no gender differences. Young children's scores of sharing are increasing with age.3.young children's ability of sharing is affected by sharing materials with different units. Young children's performance in the tests of sharing single unit material is much better than that in tests of sharing double-unit material. Young children's performance in the tests of sharing double-unit material with color difference is better than that with no color differences.4. young children aged 3—6 have developed the ability of division to a certain extent and their ability of division is developing with age.5. there are age differences in young children's ability of division, but no gender differences.6.young children's ability of division is affected by sharing concrete material.7. young children's ability of division is affected by the type of tests. Children's performance in the tests of division with no remainder is much better than that with remainder.