Stimulating Young Children To Like Math

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- We've had reports for many years on how our students lag behind their international peers in math, ranking one time 26 of 34 countries. However, new research from the University of Chicago suggests that we underestimate our youngest children in their ability to think about numbers.

The research concludes that many kindergarten children are being taught things they already know and that the vast majority have mastered numbers. Regardless of economic background and skin color, kids benefitted from exposure to more content.

All this does not discount the importance of social interaction and play. What is suggested is that replacing math instruction with math concepts will engage students to think, about probability, for instance, not memorize and will free time for the dress-up corner and blocks.

Start with Annie Murphy Paul's article in the New York Times and follow her in the Huffington Post for new thinking on stimulating kids.