In figure 1 we see an outline of the huge complication of school mathematics. On the left
is the development of conceptual embodiment from practical mathematics of physical
shapes to the platonic methods of Euclidean geometry. In parallel, there is a development
of symbolic mathematics through arithmetic, algebra, and so on, with the two
blending as embodiment is symbolized or symbolism is embodied.
The long-term development begins with the child’s perceptions and actions on the
physical world. In figure 1 the child is playing with a collection of objects: a circle, a
triangle, a square, and a rectangle. The child has two distinct options, one to focus on his
or her perception of each object, seeing and feeling their separate properties, the other is
through action on the objects, say by counting them: one, two, three, four.