Mental images of 48–72-month-old children about the concept of mathematics

The aim of this study was to find out mental images (metaphors) of 48–72 month old children were receiving preschool education, about the concept of mathematics by using the metaphor technique. This study was a qualitative research study. The following two sets of questions were asked to the children participating in the study and their answers were noted in order to reveal their metaphors about the concept of “mathematics:”, “What do you think mathematics is like? Why?” and “If mathematics were a color, which color do you think it would be? Why?”. The data were analyzed by creating codes and categories. As a result of the research; It was seen that children compared mathematics to paper and pencil even in early childhood education period, when everything needs to be presented by gamification. It was also observed that children formed metaphors for mathematics that contain elements of fear and hate.