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The goal of this practice guide is to offer educators specific, evidence-based recommendations that address the challenge of teaching early math to children ages 3 to 6. The guide provides practical, clear information on critical topics related to teaching early math and is based on the best available evidence as judged by the authors

The earliest years of a child's education-from birth through 3rd grade-set the foundation upon which future learning is built. In recent years, state policymakers have emphasized the need to improve children's reading skills early on because a lack in this essential skill is a strong predictor of low student performance and increased high school dropout rates. By 2012, a total of 32 states plus the District of Columbia had policies in statute aimed at improving 3rd-grade literacy, with 14 of those states requiring retention of students on the basis of reading proficiency. Yet, while the emphasis on reading proficiency is critical, research shows that the development of mathematics skills early on may be an even greater predictor of later school success. Early knowledge of math not only predicts later success in math, but also predicts later reading achievement even better than early reading skills.