Do You Work with Families with Young Children?

Play a Big Role in Supporting Fun Math Learning at Home.

Explore Activities

Free, Research-Based Materials for Supporting Family Math

Why Family Math?

Family math helps prepare young children for success in school and in life.

Families engage in math in more ways than they might realize (and you can help make the most of it!).

Professionals who work with families play a key role in promoting early math learning at home.

Our free materials have been designed to increase the joy and learning that come out of family math activities.

Family Math Activities for Everyday Moments

Created by leading scholars in the field of mathematics education—and with input from professionals in fields like yours—our playful and engaging family activities transform everyday household routines into math learning opportunities. No special skills or materials required. Many activities also available in Spanish. 

Early Math Resources for Professionals Serving Families

Boost your own knowledge and confidence for engaging families around early math.


Explore Early Math Topics
Link to Explore Early Math Topics Toolkit

Build Positive Math Attitudes
Link to Build Positive Math Attitudes Toolkit

Find and Talk About Math in Routines
Link to Find and Talk About Math in Routines Toolkit

Support Math Learning in Music, Reading, & Play
Link to Support Math Learning in Music, Reading, & Play Toolkit

Promote Math in Home Daycares
Link to Promote Math in Home Daycares Toolkit

Uncover Children's Math Thinking
Link to Uncover Children's Math Thinking Toolkit

Math Snacks

Brief but mighty ideas to uncover math in everyday moments and start math conversations anywhere! Also available in Spanish.

Out and About
Find the Math:
When walking, driving, or on public transportation, notice shapes and numbers in the world around you.
Talk About the Math:
What shapes do you see in the signs we're passing? How do you know that is a triangle? What number is on that license plate?
Around the House
Find the Math:
While getting dressed, talk about sizes, shapes, and patterns on clothing.
Talk About the Math:
“Look at the pattern on your shirt! it goes: narrow blue stripe then wide green stripe. Now, you show me what comes next. What other patterns do you see?”
Playtime
Find the Math:
When your child is drawing, notice and compare different sizes.
Talk About the Math:
What is the biggest thing in your picture? What is the smallest? That horse looks so tall next to the short dog!
Meal Prep
Find the Math:
When setting the table, count to see how many items are needed and describe where they go.
Talk About the Math:
How many plates do we need for everyone who is eating? Can you put a fork on one side of the plate and a spoon on the other? Can you put a napkin under the fork?

About DREME Family Math

Development and Research in Early Mathematics Education (DREME) is a network of scholars across the country who collaborate to advance math teaching and learning for children from birth to age 8. DREME Family Math prepares professionals who work with families to support parents and caregivers in promoting young children’s mathematical learning.

Boston College
NYU
San Francisco State University
Stanford
Teachers College at Columbia University
The University of Chicago
University of Minnesota
University of Wisconsin-Madison