Studies show that children who are exposed to maths early on, for example through a school readiness program are more likely to do well in school, not only in maths but in other subjects as well1. And the benefits are likely to continue throughout their lives.
It isn’t yet certain why this is true, but some strong connections can be drawn. A maths school readiness program engages a young child’s natural intellectual curiosity, which helps them make meaning of the world around them. This gives them a certain amount of confidence to begin with. They also have an advantage when they enter school with some maths knowledge simply because the concepts aren’t new to them. As a result, they may receive positive feedback from their teachers when they answer questions correctly. This instils in them a belief that they are good at maths, whereas children who have not been exposed to a school readiness program and are learning it for the first time may, by comparison, come to believe that they aren’t good at maths.2
How maths is taught to young children is also critical. Educational experts agree that building a solid foundation, where children are taught to understand maths — not just memorise facts — is key to future success. Certain milestones have been identified as essential mathematical building blocks in forming this foundation:
1. Attributes: Determining objects’ similarities and differences, qualitatively and quantitatively.
2. Spatial Relationships: Understanding the relative position of objects.
3. Classification: Sorting objects into different groups by their attributes.
4. Patterning: Recognising interconnections among objects and with numbers.
5. One-to-One Correspondence: Connecting number values to the quantities of objects.
6. Ordering: Classifying objects by attribute, relative position, or comparative value.
7. Numeration: Bridging the gap between the number-object connection and arithmetic.
8. Shapes: Understanding how geometric shapes fit into 2- and 3-dimensional space.
9. Half: Comprehending the fundamental idea that half means “two parts the same.”
10. Measurement: Using language to describe the world quantitatively.
Following a significant period of strategy, development, and testing, Mathnasium has crafted a world-class maths school readiness program that focuses on these essential building blocks and meets the unique needs of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. Delivered by highly trained instructors at local Mathnasium Learning Centres across the country, the Great Foundations School Readiness program solidifies a child’s awareness of the mathematical world around them, develops their inquisitive minds, and incorporates a lot of fun while doing it. Through this school readiness program, early mathematical thinkers (specifically ages 4-6) are prepared for numerical fluency and other concepts encountered later in school. And because the lessons are engaging and fun, children enrolled in Mathnasium’s Great Foundations program develop a love of learning as well as an ability to work independently.
Parents and guardians who provide their children with this type of fundamental education at an early age give them confidence and a big advantage as they progress through life. Contact your nearest Mathnasium Learning Centre to learn more about shaping your child’s future with the Great Foundations School Readiness program.
1Greg J. Duncan, et al, “School Readiness and Later Achievement,” Developmental Psychology, 2007
2Lillian Mongeau, “Early Math Matters: Top Researcher Discusses His Work,” EdSource, 2013
Mathnasium meets your child where they are and helps them with the customised programme they need, for any level of mathematics.
