Early Math Theory and Practice
Clock hours: 6 (Develop-approved)
Format: on demand
Cost: $40
Who should sign up: child care providers, early childhood educators, child care center directors, parents, Head Start staff and administrators, early childhood special education coordinators, early childhood technical assistance coordinators
Prerequisites: none
No cancellations or refunds are offered for on-demand courses.
Early Math Theory and Practice explores ways to foster children’s early mathematical thinking. Focusing on three big ideas (or "math mantras"), the course explains how to build young children's understanding of the math concepts they need most. Through engaging videos, interactive exercises and reflection activities, you will develop an understanding of why math feels hard for so many of us and how to introduce math ideas to all young children. Whether you work in the early childhood field or care for young children at home, you will learn to easily integrate early math into your routines.
Early Math Theory and Practice was developed with funding from PNC Grow Up Great.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Reflect on the ways in which attitudes towards math and how affect teaching and learning
- Recognize that all children deserve and benefit from early math learning opportunities, and everyone has different math experiences
- Show understanding of the developmental progression of children’s math skills.
- Describe the big ideas in math domains such as "Numbers and Counting," "Geometry," "Patterns and Measurement" as well as in children's Executive Foundation skill development.
- Develop strategies to mathematize throughout the day to build children’s mathematical thinking
- Engage in culturally relevant math activities with family engagement strategies
Modules
Module 1: Why Early Math?
Module 2: Domains of Early Mathematics – Numbers and Counting
Module 3: Domains of Early Mathematics – Geometry
Module 4: Domains of Early Mathematics – Measurement and Patterns
Module 5: Early Mathematics and Executive Function Skills
Module 6: At School and at Home – Family Engagement in Your Early Mathematics Planning
Knowledge and Competency Framework areas
I: Child Development and Learning (3 hours)
II.B: Promoting Cognitive Development (3 hours)
Meet the course author
Michele Mazzocco Michele Mazzocco
- Research Associate
Michele Mazzocco, PhD, is a professor in the Institute of Child Development. Her research spans studies with children ages two to 15 years as well as adults.
