Teacher Resources - Handbooks

Early Mathematics Framework

As with language and literacy development, high quality early mathematics education is the foundation for later mathematics success. 

The Early Mathematics Framework provides teachers with a framework of best practices in preschool mathematics instruction through activities that will help children learn, develop, and understand mathematics skills and concepts. Reinforcement of early mathematics skills that extend learning into the home and community also are included in this framework. 

In April 2002, two organizations released a joint position statement, “Early Childhood Mathematics: Promoting Good Beginnings,” which affirms that a high quality and a challenging and accessible mathematics education for children from age 3 to 6 is a vital foundation for future mathematics learning. The statement asserts that children in all early childhood settings should experience research-based curriculum and teaching practices. A set of 10 recommendations is included, based on such practices and developed for teachers and other key professionals, to improve curriculum and teaching for young children:

  1. Enhance children’s natural interest in mathematics and their disposition to use it to make sense of their physical and social worlds.
  2. Build on children’s experience and knowledge, including family, linguistic, cultural and community backgrounds; their individual approaches to learning and their informal knowledge.
  3. Base mathematics curriculum and teaching practices on knowledge of young children’s cognitive, linguistic, physical and social-emotional development.
  4. Use curriculum and teaching practices that strengthen children’s problem solving and reasoning processes as well as representing, communicating, and connecting mathematical ideas.
  5. Ensure curriculum is coherent and compatible with known relationships and sequences of important mathematical ideas.
  6. Provide for children’s deep and sustained interaction with key mathematical ideas.
  7. Integrate mathematics with other activities, and other activities with mathematics.
  8. Provide ample time, materials and teacher support for children to engage in play, a context in which they explore and manipulate mathematical ideas with keen interest.
  9. Actively introduce mathematical concepts, methods, and language through a range of appropriate experiences and teaching strategies.
  10. Support children’s learning by thoughtfully and continually assessing all children’s mathematical knowledge, skills, and strategies.

Early Math Framework – Preface, Mission, & Introduction (PDF)

Early Math Framework – State Goal 6 (PDF)

Early Math Framework – State Goal 7 (PDF)

Early Math Framework – State Goal 8 (PDF)

Early Math Framework – State Goal 9 (PDF)

Early Math Framework – State Goal 10 (PDF)

Early Math Framework – Resources & Appendix A-D (PDF)