The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in perceived importance of mathematical
education (perceived importance) and mathematical interaction of 5-year-olds’ mothers according to
contents of mathematical education. Second, we intended to examine whether mothers’ understanding
of purpose of mathematical education predicted on their perceived importance and mathematical
interaction. Third, we analyzed relative influence between mothers’ perceived effectiveness of
concrete materials and worksheets on their perceived importance and mathematical interaction. The
subjects consisted of 151 mothers of 5-year-olds lived in D city and K province in Korea. The
results were as follows: First, mothers’ perceived importance and mathematical interaction were
higher in ‘number and arithmetic’. Second, mothers’ understanding of purpose of mathematical
education predicted their perceived importance in all contents and mathematical interaction in
‘number and arithmetic’, ’geometry’, and ‘algebra’. Third, mothers’ perceived effectiveness of concrete
materials predicted better in most contents of mathematical education. Meanwhile, in ‘number and
operation’, mothers’ perceived effectiveness of worksheets did a predictive role in their importance
awareness. These results were discussed in terms of necessity of a parent education program to
provide practical information about contents and methods of mathematical education for their
5-year-old children.