What mathematical processes are involved in composing and decomposing?

The mathematical processes involved in composing and decomposing primarily revolve around addition and subtraction. Composing refers to the process of combining smaller parts to form a whole, which is inherently an addition process. For instance, if you have two groups of blocks and you combine them, you are adding the quantities together to create a larger group.

Conversely, decomposing involves breaking down a whole into its parts, which is a process based on subtraction. For example, if you start with ten blocks and take away four, you are decomposing the quantity to understand the parts that make up the whole.

These processes are foundational in early childhood mathematics as they help children develop a better understanding of number sense, relationships between numbers, and basic arithmetic operations. By mastering composing and decomposing, children can build their skills in more advanced concepts later on.