CURIOUS GEORGE, UH PROFESSOR HELP KIDS
GET CURIOUS ABOUT MATH
Copley Illustrates Math Examples in PBS’ Upcoming Series of
Popular Children’s Story
HOUSTON, Jan. 4, 2005—Curious George, the mischievous little
monkey made famous by children’s author
H. A. Rey, will soon become an ambassador of math and science thanks
to the help of a University of Houston College of Education professor.
“There are many math opportunities in the adventures of
Curious George,” Juanita Copley, chair of UH Curriculum and
Instruction, said. “Children, their parents and teachers will
be able to have fun as they learn to love math.”
Copley has become a regular consultant for the Public Broadcasting
System, which plans to air animated “Curious George”
programs starting in 2006. PBS contacted Copley, a national expert
and advocate for early childhood math literacy, to review scripts
of “Curious George” programs and highlight ways in which
the character uses math in his adventures. Her observations will
be included in learning materials for teachers and parents. The
effort is part of a national push among educators to promote math
education among young children, particularly children ages 4 to
6 years old. In 2000, the National Council of Teacher of Mathematics
included pre-kindergarten standards for math in their “Principles
and Standards for School Mathematics,” a document that provides
guidelines for math education. In addition, the National Association
for the Education of the Young Child published a position statement
emphasizing the importance of mathematics for young children, and
the impact of learning math at a young age.
Curious George does more math than one would think, Copley said.
“When Curious George goes to the bakery to get doughnuts
he mistakenly adds a zero to his order of one dozen and finds that
when he does that he gets 10 dozen,” she said. “In another
adventure, he gets lost and must read a map to get back. These are
all math opportunities and they’re fun for kids to discover,”
Copley said.
An ardent proponent of math education, Copley believes children
must be introduced to mathematics early, before they are conditioned
to dislike math.
“We’ve done a great job emphasizing literacy skills.
This is the other side and it’s a big deal,” Copley
said. “If Curious George can measure, count or use shapes
to stay out of trouble, it’s cool. And kids learn best from
play.”
Boston educator Karen Worth is reviewing the same “Curious
George” program scripts for science education opportunities.
Copley is the author of numerous books and journals, including
“The Young Child and Mathematics,” “Showcasing
Mathematics for the Young Child,” and “Mathematics in
the Early Years.” She is currently in discussions with producers
of “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood” to identify math
education opportunities in the program’s content.
For more information about the UH College of Education, please
visit www.coe.uh.edu
About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research
and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers
and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate,
civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university
in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and
service with more than 35,000 students.
For more information about UH visit the universitys Newsroom at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.
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