Can math be fun for children, teachers, parents, and caregivers? Absolutely! Today, the Young Mathematicians (YM) project at global nonprofit Education Development Center (EDC) provides engaging, interactive mathematics games to promote math skills development among young children in Worcester. Read on to learn how YM partners with local teachers, parents, and caregivers, and easy ways to engage your kids in math in a way you both will enjoy.
'Early Math Is a Predictor of Success'
To understand the impact of math in early childhood, consider the results of a December 2022 study involving 573 preschoolers across 66 classrooms. In the study, researchers found playing math games in the preschool classroom had a positive impact on children. They also noted using family math mini-books had a "significant impact" on children's math scores.
Alternatively, math anxiety is a problem for many children and adults. Research suggests 20-25% of kids experience anxiety about math and continue to deal with it as adults. In adulthood, teachers, parents, and caregivers can pass their math anxiety onto children.
YM builds on these findings and other research, providing free mathematics games that families and teachers can play with children at home or school. These games help make math fun and promote the development of self-regulation, problem-solving, and other life skills.
"We bring in a lot of picture books and other resources to support early math, so math anxiety is not passed on to children," says Jessica Young, YM's Principal Research Scientist. "We look at how we can build children's persistence and softer skills to engage in challenging activities like math."
'We're Introducing Math in a Fun, Playful Way'
Designed for kids 3 to 6 years old, YM's math games teach children how to count, identify patterns, and much more. They are tailored to a wide range of learners. Some involve jumping, dancing, and other movements to get kids physically engaged in math. Others use cards, dice, and other objects to help kids build positive attitudes toward math.
"We use simple materials in our games, so it's easy for kids to enjoy them at school and at home," Jessica points out.
For example, to play YM's "Shape Dance" game, parents, teachers, and caregivers only need chalk or tape and music. Use chalk or tape to make shapes on the ground. Next, give children a clue about a shape, such as, "Stand in a shape that has more than three sides." Finally, play music, and when it stops, children have to find the shape that matches the clue. This provides a fun, exciting way to teach children about different shapes.
For a math game that doesn't require any materials, play YM's "More, Less, or Same with Fingers" game. Start by asking children to count with their fingers. From here, hold up a few of your fingers at the same time as children. At this point, ask children if the number of fingers they're holding up is more, less, or the same as the number of fingers you're holding up. You can also ask them to show a number or fingers that's more or less than what you're currently holding up. This helps children develop additional and subtraction skills.
'We're Giving Children the Opportunity to Show Off Their Math Skills'
Worcester parents, caregivers, and educators have helped YM design and develop its games, says Kristen Reed, YM's Managing Project Director. YM has also worked with many community partners over the years, including:
- Worcester Child Development Head Start
- Worcester Family Partnership
- Worcester Public Library
- Worcester Public Schools
Together with these and other partners, YM has created games that help young children become strong mathematicians, support their persistence in problem-solving, and promote a growth mindset in math.
"We're starting little with math, and kids love it," Jessica says.
Game on! Help Young Children Build Their Math Skills
Explore YM's resource library to access more than 50 math games with instructions in English, Spanish, and other languages. Or, YM offers game kits individually or as a whole program.
Visit the Worcester Public Library to play YM's games. Here, you can also check out children's books on math. "You can find math in any book," Jessica says.
Watch how-to-play videos for YM's games on its YouTube channel. See these and other math games in action at YM's "Math Is Everywhere" booth at the Day of Play Family Festival, which takes place September 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Worcester's Elm Park.
Edward Street proudly supports Young Mathematicians and its partners. We're excited to welcome them to our Day of Play Family Festival.
Read our blog and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn to learn more about early childhood programs and initiatives in Worcester and its surrounding communities.