TEACHING MATHEMATICS TO CHILDREN: SOCIAL ASPECTS, PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS AND DECISION MAKING MODELS

In a primary school on the outskirts of Pescara, there is a high percentage of foreign and Roma children. This situation required the use of specific teaching strategies which take into account their context of origin. For each child, it was necessary to take action to overcome the difficulties caused by psychological and social barriers stemming from the contrast between the cultures of the group of origin and the host society. Apparently many of these difficulties seem to be psycho-physical, but a careful analysis shows that they are essentially sociocultural and ethical–religious. In this paper, we present some case studies of children in need and the actions taken. In addition, we highlight some general issues that arise in the teaching of mathematics. Finally, we formalize the learning intervention as a strategy in the problem of decision-making.