Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-2013
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of providing early educators professional development experiences and activities to improve the mathematical skills of preschool children in Head Start around four domains of mathematics. Because of the need to provide necessary mathematical experiences to young children to improve their early understanding and skills and provide the foundation for future success in mathematics, we provided the treatment group of early educators with professional development and center-based activities to promote four critical areas in mathematics. By randomly selecting Head Start centers to participate as the treatment group or control group, we were able to examine the effects of the professional development and set of activities on preschool children’s knowledge over a six-month period. We found children in the treatment group were more fluent and flexible with number concepts, were better at solving contextual problems, and had better measurement and spatial abilities than children in the control group.
Copyright Statement
This is an author-produced, peer-reviewed version of this article. The final publication is available at www.springerlink.com. Copyright restrictions may apply. DOI: 10.1007/s10643-012-0543-8
Publication Information
Brendefur, Jonathan; Strother, Sam; Thiede, Keith; Lane, Cristianne; and Surges-Prokop, Mary Jo. (2013). "A Professional Development Program to Improve Math Skills Among Preschool Children in Head Start". Early Childhood Education Journal, 41(3), 187-195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-012-0543-8
Included in
Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons