Embed counting practice in varied classroom activities and inform parents about advanced counting activities at home¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 3 claims (3 for) · 1 study (1 associational), q2 · 1 of 1 report an effect size · 3 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The article recommends concrete, cost-effective classroom practices: "challenging them to think of different ways to count objects in an array, having them use counting strategies to compare the number of blocks in two of their block buildings, count the number of chairs of the students who are absent, count groups of items around the classroom, and use counting to solve simple addition and subtraction problems." It also recommends informing parents about fostering math-related activities involving advanced counting, embedded within each family's home and cultural context.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Teachers facilitate these numeracy learning activities by having children discuss and clarify their ideas

Constraints¶

• The authors note such practices are feasible and cost-effective, but the supporting evidence is correlational and they endorse experimental tests before curricular reweighting

Target Learners¶

• preschool children from low-income families

Target Learning Goals¶

• counting strategies, arithmetic readiness, and prevention of early mathematics achievement gaps

Claims¶

• Advanced counting competencies predict fifth grade mathematics achievement whereas basic counting does not when both are included together [+W]
• Preschool counting and cardinality competencies are the strongest predictors of fifth grade mathematics achievement among the measured preschool domains [+W]
• Counting and cardinality shows the highest correlation with fifth grade mathematics achievement, followed by patterning, geometry, and measurement and data [+W]

Related Strategies¶

• Non-intensive Home Numeracy Environment (HNE) Intervention Program
• Utilize Text Messaging for Parent Engagement
• Utilizing Mobile Communication Apps for Parent Engagement

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Nguyen, T., Watts, T. W., Duncan, G. J., Clements, D. H., Sarama, J. S., Wolfe, C., & Spitler, M. E. (2016). Which Preschool Mathematics Competencies Are Most Predictive of Fifth Grade Achievement? Early Childhood Research Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2016.02.003