Experts say that introducing math concepts to preschoolers through play and games can greatly improve their academic performance in later years. Activities like sorting colorful toy bears by size or color help children grasp foundational math concepts such as counting, measurement, and patterns. However, a recent study found that only 5% of preschool classroom time in seven US states was devoted to math, with lessons rarely extending beyond basic counting and shape recognition.
Michelle Mazzocco, a co-author of the study and a faculty member at the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development, emphasized the missed opportunities. “They’re getting hardly any math,” she said. Advocates believe preschool math, taught through fun and age-appropriate activities, can prepare children for future success. Even four-year-olds can learn fundamental concepts behind arithmetic and geometry when lessons are engaging and frequent.
Latrenda Knighten, the incoming president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, agreed that young children are capable of learning far more math than is currently taught. Early exposure to math, she said, fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills that benefit students throughout their education. Knighten mentioned, “In an ideal world, you maybe turn those wheels and give math the focus that we’ve had on reading for so long.”
Experts like Doug Clements, co-creator of the Building Blocks preschool math curriculum, also believe preschoolers are often underestimated. Through storytelling and hands-on activities, abstract math concepts become easier for young children to understand. For instance, using colorful toy animals to teach sorting, addition, and counting provides learning opportunities without worksheets or lectures.
Math advocates call for a greater focus on early math education to build a strong foundation for later success. By tapping into children’s curiosity and making math a regular part of preschool learning, educators can help students gain critical skills that will serve them throughout their academic journey... and well beyond.
Picture: Male early education teacher (Designer)
