Quick Links
- Patterns and Math
- PRI Math Follow Up Project Webpage
- Parental Support of Early Math Skills Project Webpage
- Leveraging Comparison and Explanation of Multiple Strategies Webpage
- Contrasting Cases Project Webpage
- Fostering Parents' Numeracy and Patterning Support Project Webpage
- Teacher and Parent Resources
- Need More Information?
- Early Algebra
The purpose of this research is to explore how two important but often overlooked skills—pattern and spatial skills—uniquely contribute to prekindergarten students' early mathematics development. Pattern skills include identifying, extending, and describing predictable sequences in objects or numbers. Spatial skills include spatial visualization (i.e., the ability to imagine and mentally transform spatial information) and visual-spatial working memory (i.e., the ability to hold the locations of different objects, landmarks, etc. in working memory).
The aims of this study are to explore the concurrent and predictive relations between pattern skills, spatial skills, and math knowledge in prekindergarten; contrast the promise of improving math knowledge from pattern versus spatial training; and determine if there are crossover effects between the trainings (e.g., if pattern training improves spatial skills). The timing of this research is critical to informing efforts to revise and implement the Common Core State Standards, which do not include pattern or spatial skills as key content standards at any grade level.
General Project Information:
Find out more about specific projects, including study materials
Publications:
See videos & articles done on our Study
- "How to get preschoolers ready to learn math" Dr. Zippert's and Dr. Rittle-Johnson's article in The Conservation
- "Don’t know how to get your kid to do math? Try patterns" Dr. Rittle-Johnson's article in The Conversation
- "Math Patterns: Skills for Success?" Dr. Rittle-Johnson's interview in Child Trends
- "Creating a Math-Friendly Environment" Dr. Rittle-Johnson's Interview in Child Trends
- "Math lessons start with play time, mama" Zippert's article in Motherly
See our Study in Vanderbilt's Research News
- "Can colorful blocks prep preschoolers for a future in math? This study says yes."
- "Preschoolers can do more math than you think"