The importance of early math skills
Parents often ask themselves how they can give their children the best start in life. While there's conventional wisdom about fostering early literacy through talking, singing, and reading, there's less information about developing early math skills. Yet, early math achievement in kindergarten and first grade is a strong predictor of later success in a variety of subjects, not just math.
Research from the Parents Promoting Early Learning (PPEL) lab at the University of Pittsburgh's Learning Research and Development Center aims to change this. With funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Drs. Melissa Libertus, Heather Bachman, and Elizabeth Votruba-Drzal are studying the most effective ways for parents to help their young children grasp math concepts.
According to Dr. Bachman, one of the study's researchers, most schools do not prioritize math as much as reading in early grades, leaving parents to fill the gap. But many parents may doubt their ability to teach math. Dr. Libertus points out that the math young children need isn't complicated; it's all around us. Parents don't need to use worksheets. Instead, they can integrate math into everyday activities.
Simple activities with lasting effects
The PPEL researchers are exploring useful activities and conversations that parents can incorporate into their busy days without adding stress. These simple activities, when parents are aware of them, can include:
- Sorting items by size with your child as you place them on a grocery store conveyor belt.
- Pointing out the spatial properties of objects, such as how one tree is larger than another or where a bird is in relation to a branch.
- Playing with puzzles and talking about how they fit together.
- Measuring ingredients and explaining the steps while cooking or baking.
The more parents talk about and engage in math-related activities, the more their children's math skills can grow. The skills nurtured today can have lifelong effects, preparing children for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers and success in many different paths.
Picture: Early math skills development (AELF)
