This year, your child will be using Kindergarten Everyday Mathematics, a program created through the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project. This program is based on research and experience that show young children are capable of far more mathematics learning in Kindergarten than was previously believed possible, provided that the content is presented in ways appropriate for children of Kindergarten age.

To many of us who learned to think of mathematics primarily as written work, it may be hard at first to believe that considerable mathematics learning is taking place in this program. Few papers come home. The children seem to be playing! However, these playful activities are meaningful and productive and help children become independent and comfortable thinkers about mathematical ideas. Research has shown that young children often have difficulty with written and symbolic mathematics if it is emphasized too early- before a strong foundation based on experience and understanding as been built.

You will see your child become excited by a wealth of mathematics activities, including counting, numeration, measurement, geometry, patterns, data collecting, and calculator use. Classroom routines give children real-life opportunities to develop and refine a variety of mathematics skills. These include such activities as keeping track of the days of school on a number line, monitoring and graphing daily weather conditions, recording attendance, counting the time it takes to cleanup, and charting the daily schedule.

I hope that through Kindergarten Everyday Mathematics, both you and your child will find that mathematics is useful, enjoyable, varied, and meaningful. Just as we know that telling stories and reading books to children help to foster a love of reading, your support of mathematics learning will help your child develop lasting confidence and competence. These will carry over into many areas in everyday life and the school curriculum, this year, and in the years to come.

Please visit the Everyday Math Website at http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/

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