Statements that Constitute Mathematics Teaching in the Initial Years of Elementary Education

Abstract The article problematizes statements that make up the discourse of Mathematics Education and its truth effects on the pedagogical practices of teachers who work in the Early Years of Elementary Education. The theoretical contributions that underpin the investigation are the theories of Michel Foucault, especially the concepts of discourse and statement. The research material is composed of interviews with teachers of the 3rd or 4th year in the private school network of Porto Alegre. The analytical strategy used to examine the material was guided by the discourse analysis from Michel Foucault's perspective. The material examination evidenced the presence of two statements constituting the discourse of Mathematical Education in the Early Years: “the importance of the use of concrete material and digital resources in Mathematics classes” and “the relevance of the registration and formalization of mathematical knowledge as a guarantee of learning”. Thus, it can be concluded based on the interviews carried out, that mathematics teaching in the Early Years is supported by statements that are part of different discursive fields, but predominate those based on Platonic constructivism and ideals, leading the pedagogical processes in an ascending way: concrete materials for systematization and formalization, making this final stage as the most relevant and capable of ensuring learning.