Towards an understanding of early childhood mathematics education: A systematic review of the literature focusing on practicing and prospective teachers

This article presents the results of a literature review spanning 15 years (2000–2015), identifying empirical research relating to early childhood mathematics education. A total of 1141 articles were identified and examined in order to determine the current state of research in terms of location, participants, research questions, and the research methodology commonly used in this body of literature. Following a discussion of the overarching view of the literature, the authors present an analysis of a subsection of the literature, focusing on practicing and prospective teachers’ practice.