Young Children's Amazing Math

About this book

2025 Choice Outstanding Academic Title Grounded in current research, this dynamic book--written by a leading expert in early math teaching and learning--focuses on how teachers and caregivers working with children ages 9 months to 6 years can promote early mathematical experiences that lay the groundwork for formal math education in kindergarten and beyond. Readers will learn how math is embedded in children's everyday lives, how daily routines contribute to the development of important math concepts, and what adults can do to foster the joy of early math learning. Ginsburg describes the development of children's informal ideas about number, shape, space, pattern, and measurement, and offers many specific activities designed to promote learning. The book includes over 75 short video examples of how children engage in spontaneous everyday math activities or talk with an adult about their thinking. Fascinating and often funny, the videos help adults understand the child's everyday math so they can support meaningful math education in early learning programs, at home, and at school. Young Children's Amazing Math is an ideal resource for higher education faculty, early childhood teachers, and caregivers. Book Features: An examination of young children's everyday math, much of which is universal, despite differences across gender, socioeconomic status, and culture. An exploration of how understanding children's everyday math can lay the foundation for teaching school math. The first book to make extensive use of videos to tell "thinking stories" about young children engaged in everyday math. Videos will help adults, including early childhood education students, professional educators, and parents, to understand that math learning can be enjoyable and is not to be feared or avoided in the early years and beyond. Numerous activities that teachers, day care providers, and parents can use to promote the development of children's everyday math. Available in print with embedded QR codes for video access, as well as in a digital version.