Math and Young Children

three children playing around a table

"Quality preschool mathematics is not elementary pushed onto younger children. Instead, it invites children to experience mathematics as they play in, describe, and think about their world." --Clements, 2000

What We Know | Activities | Special Needs

What We Know

Age Level

Numerical Knowledge in Early Childhood (pdf)
0-5 years
Early Childhood Mathematics 0-5 years
Strengthening the Math-Related Teaching Practices of the Early Care and Education Workforce: Insights from Experts 0-5 years
More, All Gone, Empty, Full: Math Talk Every Day in Every Way (pdf) 0-5 years
Subitizing: What It Is? Why Teach It? (pdf)
0-5 years
Doug Clements on Early Mathematics (video)
0-8 years
Learning Trajectories: What are they? (video)
0-8 years
Mathematics Proficiency - video
0-8 years
Learning Trajectories in Early Mathematics – Sequences of Acquisition and Teaching (pdf)
0-8 years
Early Math Matters: Kindergarten Number Competence and Later Mathematics Outcomes (pdf)
0-8 years
Numeracy: What We Know
0-8 years
Applying Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development to Mathematics Instruction (pdf)
0-8 years
Great Beginnings, Early Math Development
2-6 years
Early Numeracy: The transition from Infancy to Early Childhood (pdf)
3-5 years
Teaching Math To Young Children: Practice Guide for Educators 3-5 years
Preschool Math Grows Up: Tips for Teachers
3-5 years
Preschool Math: Mastering Number Recognition and Counting
3-5 years
By the Numbers: Five Evidence-Based Recommendations for Teaching Math to Young Children (pdf) 3-5 years
Math and Science in Preschool: Policies and Practices (pdf)
3-5 years
Early Math Matters: A Guide for Parents of Preschoolers 3-6 years
Fostering Early Numeracy in Preschool and Kindergarten (pdf)
3-6 years
Understanding Numbers and Counting Skills in Preschoolers 3-6 years
Early Childhood Mathematics: Promoting Good Beginnings. A Joint Position Statement of the NAEYC and the NCTM
3-6 years
Mathematic Flipbooks--Companions to the Kansas Early Learning Standards for Mathematics and the Kansas College and Career Ready Standards
3-17 years
High-Quality Mathematics Instruction: What Teachers Should Know
5-10 years
K-12 Parent Guides for the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics (English or Spanish available)
5-18 years
The Math Dude Quick and Dirty Tips to Make Math Easier (podcasts)
5-18 years
Strong Reading Comprehension Skills = Success in Math
8-13 years
Cognitive Strategy Instruction: Math
8-18 years

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Activities

Age Level

Learning Numbers Through Play
0-5 years
Numeracy: What Can Be Done
0-8 years
Finding the Math in Books: Ideas for Teaching (pdf)
2-5 years
Great Beginnings
2-5 years
New York Pre-K Math Curriculum Modules
3-5 years
Early Math Matters: Preparing Preschoolers to Succeed
3-5 years
Support Math Through Math Talk
3-5 years
The Path to Math: Beginning Numbers (pdf) 3-5 years
Preschool Math Activities
3-5 years
The Path to Math: Word Problems for Preschoolers (pdf) 3-5 years
The Path to Math: Geometric Thinking for Young Children (pdf) 3-5 years
Selected Book Pairs for Linking Math and Literacy (pdf) 3-5 years
Developing Math Games Based on Children’s Literature (pdf) 3-5 years
The Path to Math: Real Graphs for Preschoolers (pdf) 3-5 years
Fun Activities to Promote Math Skills
3-6 years
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives for Interactive Mathematics
3-8 years
Things to Do While You're Waiting: Math (pdf)
3-8 years
Kindergarten Mathematics Games
5-6 years
Paso Partners: Integrating Mathmatics, Science and Language (with Spanish version)
5-8 years
ABC Teach Math
5-10 years
Free Songs and Games
5-10 years
Create a graph
8-12 years

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Special Needs

Age Level

Early Predictors of Mathematical Achievement and Mathematical Learning Difficulties (pdf)
0-8 years
A Longitudinal View of the Receptive Vocabulary and Math Achievement of Young Children with Disabilities
3-10 years
Help! They Still Don't Understand Counting
3-6 years
Math Disability in Children: An overview
5-10 years
Easy to Make Games for Learning
5-10 years
Educational Aspects of Mathematics Disabilities
5-11 years
Math Playground
5-18 years