How National & Local Funders Are Collaborating to Advance Early Math

Mathematical skills — and growth in these skills over the early elementary years — correlate with academic success in later elementary school. Recognizing the importance of these skills to early school success, the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading has devoted a half dozen webinars to this topic over the past few years. These sessions have confirmed that children can learn powerful mathematics at very young ages, that their parents and caregivers can help them acquire these skills at home and in their neighborhood, and that they can all have fun doing so. Previous sessions highlighted ways early math skills can be built through playful, family-based activities that can be integrated into daily routines such as folding laundry, shopping for groceries, or playing with blocks. Too few children and families are being supported to make math a part of their everyday lives and develop this vital foundation for later academic success. Fortunately, several funders are working to change that and I’m honored to join a panel of philanthropic leaders and early math leaders who are finding innovative ways to promote early math engagement in homes and across communities.