Promoting Preschoolers’ Mathematics Knowledge

Early experiences with mathematics play a critical role in helping young children develop cognitive and reasoning skills. Not only do these activities build the brain’s architecture, but they also support problem-solving, puzzling, and persevering. However, differences in children’s mathematics knowledge are evident at kindergarten entry, with children who have greater access to economic resources often scoring higher than those without. This matters: mathematics performance at an early age is a strong predictor of future academic outcomes.

EDC’s Young Mathematicians project is expanding children’s opportunities to engage in high-quality mathematics learning experiences, particularly for children from families who have been historically underserved. Working in partnership with Head Start programs, teachers, and families, the project is examining how fun and playful mathematics resources can effectively bridge school and home learning environments, attending to issues of linguistic and cultural diversity. This work will promote mathematics learning in developmentally appropriate ways, reduce opportunity gaps, and expand the knowledge base about what works in early mathematics instruction.