Pre-K Mathematics supplemental preschool program¶

Element · All elements
Evidence · 6 claims (1 for, 4 mixed, 1 against) · 6 studies (5 quant-synthesis, 1 causal), q2–q3 · 2 of 6 report an effect size · 6 claims rest on one study

Description¶

Pre-K Mathematics is a supplemental mathematics program for preschool children that develops informal mathematical knowledge through three components: a set of 24 in-class, small-group activities with manipulatives; a set of 24 linked caregiver-child home math activities with letters in English and Spanish; and optional mathematics software practice. The report describes "teacher-led, small-group mathematics activities that are engaging and hands-on, as well as caregiver-child activities that are linked to the classroom activities to support children's math learning at home."

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Teachers receive 4 days of professional development, ongoing in-class coaching during the initial year, and developer-provided materials including a curriculum binder and manipulatives kit

Constraints¶

• The mathematics software component was used in four of five studies and its impact cannot be separated from the curriculum's impact

Target Learners¶

• preschool children in Head Start and state-funded preschool programs, predominantly from families with incomes below federal poverty guidelines

Target Learning Goals¶

• informal mathematical knowledge including number sense, arithmetic operations, spatial sense and geometry, pattern knowledge, and measurement and data

Claims¶

• Pre-K Mathematics improves preschool children's mathematics achievement, with a WWC positive effects rating and strong evidence tier [+M]
• Pre-K Mathematics shows uncertain effects on preschool language outcomes [~W]
• Pre-K Mathematics shows uncertain effects on reading and literacy related outcomes [~W]
• Pre-K Mathematics shows uncertain effects on preschool self-regulation skills [~W]
• Pre-K Mathematics shows uncertain effects on social-emotional learning [~W]
• Pre-K Mathematics with DLM Early Childhood Express Math shows no discernible effects on preschool phonological processing [-W]

Related Elements¶

• Pre-K Mathematics supplemental preschool curriculum

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• What Works Clearinghouse, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. (2023, September). Pre-K Mathematics. https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/InterventionReport/732