Early Math Counts

Register for Early Math Counts, our free professional development series for early childhood educators across the nation.

This eight-course online curriculum introduces teachers and caregivers to mathematical concepts such as math literacy, number sense, patterns, geometry, measurement, data collection and math processes. Each lesson also includes tips on setting up a math-enriched environment, as well as animations, interviews with math experts, videos of children and teachers in classroom settings and links to the Early Math Counts website.

 

What’s in it for you?

  • Free enrollment—thanks to a generous grant from the CME Group Foundation
  • Convenient online access
  • High-impact strategies for teaching early math
  • Tips for creating a math-rich environment
  • Continuing professional development hours and a certificate of completion for each course in the series *
  • Added educational value for the children and families that you serve

Illinois residents: Register today!

Outside of Illinois: Register today!

Early Math Counts at a Glance

Early Math Orientation

One Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry-approved training hour and one Continuing Professional Development Unit (CPDU)*

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

  1. Describe the importance of early math knowledge and skills for young children
  2. Identify five major content areas in early math
  3. Explore the Early Math Counts website and locate several early math resources

Number Sense

One Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry-approved training hour and one Continuing Professional Development Unit (CPDU)*

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

  1. Define number sense
  2. Identify the five counting principles
  3. Differentiate between number labels and counting skills
  4. Plan for supporting number sense in the classroom
  5. Assess children’s number sense

Patterns

One Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry-approved training hour and one Continuing Professional Development Unit (CPDU)*

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

  1. Define patterns and identify their characteristics
  2. Explain how ordering, sequencing and patterning are connected
  3. Plan activities that involve patterns
  4. Describe the developmental trajectory of pattern comprehension in young children
  5. Plan for supporting children’s developmental understanding of patterns

Shapes & Spaces

One Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry-approved training hour and one Continuing Professional Development Unit (CPDU)*

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

  1. Define geometry for young children
  2. Explain three foundational concepts about shapes
  3. Identify the components of spatial reasoning
  4. Describe the developmental levels of geometric thinking
  5. Plan for supporting geometry in the classroom

Measure for Measure

One Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry-approved training hour and one Continuing Professional Development Unit (CPDU)*

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

  1. Define measurement and how it fits into the early childhood curriculum
  2. Differentiate between standard and non-standard units of measurement and describe how they can be used with young children
  3. Describe the developmental trajectory of measurement skills in young children
  4. Choose and use appropriate tools for measurement
  5. Plan for supporting measurement activities in the classroom

Data Collection & Analysis

One Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry-approved training hour and one Continuing Professional Development Unit (CPDU)*

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

  1. Define data collection and data analysis
  2. Formulate age-appropriate questions that children can answer by gathering and analyzing data
  3. Sort, organize and display data in a manner appropriate for an early childhood setting
  4. Use appropriate methods for analyzing data
  5. Plan for supporting data gathering and data analysis in the classroom

Math Processes

One Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry-approved training hour and one Continuing Professional Development Unit (CPDU)*

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

  1. Define the five math processes
  2. Identify the connection between math processes and dispositions towards learning
  3. Describe how to support the development of math skills in young children
  4. Plan for supporting math processes in the classroom

Environments

One Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry-approved training hour and one Continuing Professional Development Unit (CPDU)*

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

  1. Describe the different components of the math environment
  2. Identify key materials and features of materials that support children’s development of math concepts
  3. Describe how routines can be used to support children’s math learning
  4. Plan for setting up a math-rich environment

Illinois residents:   Register today!

Outside of Illinois:Register today!

*This training provides one contact hour of Illinois Gateways Registry Approved training and one continuing professional development unit (CPDU) for each course in the eight-course series. For those residing outside of Illinois, please be sure to print your certificate of completion for submission to your own professional development approval agency. PLEASE NOTE: It is up to your professional development approval agency to determine whether these courses fulfill their requirements. For more information about training hours, please contact Kathleen Sheridan, PhD, at ksherid9@uic.edu.