The Influence of Heuristic Pre-Arithmetic Games on the Formation of Mental Representations of Arithmetic Concepts / Utjecaj heurističkih predaritmetičkih igara na oblikovanje mentalnih reprezentacija o aritmetičkim pojmovima

Considering the importance of visual representations (pictograms and ideograms) for the understanding of mathematical concepts, we have developed a system of heuristic mathematical games where emphasis is placed on the development of meaning of arithmetic concepts (mental representations and symbols). The paper shows the results of an experimental research carried out for the purpose of examining the influence of application of a system of didactic games on the development and continuity of mental representations on arithmetic concepts and on understanding the meaning of corresponding mathematical symbols. The research was conducted on a group sample which involved 143 children, between six and seven years of age from three preschool institutions in Serbia. The results obtained through measures of descriptive statistics and t-test for independent variables, showed that the systematic application of didactic games, founded on the principle of discovery of mathematical characteristics, can influence the development of mental images on arithmetic concepts and images, and that schemes formed as such continue to participate in understanding further corresponding mathematical symbols and records. After retesting, through correlation analysis, the results showed that the acquired mental images remained present among children in the experimental group even after the activities of the experimental factor.