Project Summary

The DREME Network was created in 2014 to advance the field of early mathematics research and improve young children’s opportunities to develop math skills. The Network focuses on math from birth through age eight years, with an emphasis on the preschool years. Network members and affiliates collaborate to conduct basic and applied research and develop innovative tools that address high-priority early math topics and inform and motivate other researchers, educators, policymakers and the public.

Approach

This project is unique in that it brings together experts from around the country in the areas of early math learning, early education, and family engagement to collaboration on research, development, and dissemination of resources and research to support young children's math learning. The project is also unique in that it is growing the field of early math experts through mentoring of dozens of undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral students using across-site collaborations to provide students exceptional networking and training chances that cannot be realized at a single university.

Measurement & Metrics

This work has involved a wide variety of methods and measures, including longitudinal observational studies, microgenetic studies, experimental studies, and both implementation and impact field testing. Using a wide range of measures with teachers, families, district leaders, community organization leaders, and practitioners from several fields, we have been assessing a range of constructs and processes related to early math learning from attitudes and beliefs to adult and child math-related behaviors (e.g., math talk) to child math outcomes.

Key Findings

• Early math is critical to long-term academic success, in math and more generally.
• Early math skill differences associated with socioeconomic disparities arise well before school entry.
• Early childhood is a time in which early math interventions at home, in early childhood education settings, and in the community can increase math enrichment, improve attitudes towards math, and raise math achievement levels in lasting ways.