New study recommends starting math in preschool

kare11.com, 3, July, 2009

WASHINGTON -- The National Research Council, a well-respected group of academics based in Washington, D.C., says preschoolers have been taught their ABCs, but not enough focus is placed on teaching them the 1-2-3s.

Four-year-old Jacob can count to 100. His classmates are writing and grouping numbers.

Basic concepts that experts say children need well before they enter kindergarten.

"The longer you wait, the more chances you're going to have that they're going to fall through the cracks" says teacher Michael Helling.

The National Research Council finds kids ages 3 to 6 are already learning numbers and geometry through everyday experiences.

"When we're going outside we're lining up and then we're all going to count. Count how many friends we have," says teacher Anuschka Boekhoudt.

"They're learning addition and subtraction but they don't really realize it you know. It's just, it's fun for them," adds Helling.

The report says kids are ready to learn. It's preschool teachers who need more math training. Read more...