The “Non-canonical” Solution and the “Improvisation” as Conditions for Early Years Mathematics Learning Processes: The Concept of the “Interactional Niche in the Development of Mathematical Thinking“ (NMT)

By introducing the concept of the “interactional niche in the development of mathematical thinking” (NMT), a new approach, in which the cultural historic and the interactionistic strands of socio-constructivist theories merge, will be presented. This concept is to be understood as an attempt to develop a theory about the generation of mathematical thinking of children in the ages between three and ten. Two specific niches will be described that arise under the condition of children’s non-canonical solutions and corresponding improvisation by (nursery) teacher and children.