Teaching algebraic thinking within early algebra - a literature review

International audienceThere is a lack of overview regarding previous empirical studies within the early algebra research field. Consequently, the aim of this study is to propose one way to organise how algebraic thinking can be operationalised when teaching students five to twelve years old. The study is conducted as a literature review. The results show six categories of operationalising algebraic thinking with these young students. These categories can briefly be organised as three traditions: (1) arithmetic thinking tradition developing arithmetic thinking first, (2) developing arithmetic and algebra at the same time, or (3) algebraic thinking tradition developing algebraic thinking first. This method of organisation highlights one tradition of algebraic thinking where more research is needed-the tradition in which algebraic thinking is developed first. This tradition, as stated in the results, includes the category algebraic work