Children's use of mathematical language

Sixteen assemblies in a Norwegian kindergarten have been studied to identify characteristics pointing to when and how 5-year-old children use mathematical language when expressing theirthoughts. When participating in an assembly the children are in a situated social context where communication is an important part of the context. The analysis shows that children use mathematical language when they compare, explain and argue. This paper links the way children use mathematical language in interaction with others through verbal language, body language and body movements.