ABSTRACT
It has been said that understanding the number system is the mathematical equivalent to having good phonological awareness in literacy, To be able to read and spell well, the pupil needs to understand the way in which spoken words are made up of sounds that can be manipulated to make sense. In order to understand the four operations (and other mathematical concepts), the pupil has to be ahle to understand the number system as a starting point,
Unfortunately, children are often introduced to algorithms far too early, before they understand the fundamentals of the number system. This is a recipe for long-term mathematical diHlculties, as the more advanced concepts of the four operations will be based on inadequate understanding of the basic concepts.
