Deepening Early Numeracy Through Rich Math Talk, Purposeful Games, and Outdoor Place-Based Learning
This 2026 early numeracy initiative empowered more than 80 PK-2 educators to build on children’s natural thinking and brought math to life through games, outdoor learning, math talk routines, and connected caregivers and the community as partners in early math learning.
Why Early Numeracy?
Research shows that early math skills are one of the strongest predictors of long-term academic success, even more than early literacy! Early numeracy supports children’s confidence, curiosity, and ability to see math in the world around them.
Resources that Support Engaging Early Numeracy Practices
Explore resources, reflections, and activities developed through this initiative:
- Find lessons, routines, activities, and educator stories on our Nature Resource Site(opens in a new tab).
- Use games to build flexible, strategy-based mathematical fluency with our mFITT Fluency Suite.
- Get ideas for encouraging numeracy at home in our pamphlet for students’ caregivers(opens in a new tab).
- Use Early Numeracy Activity Cards for PreK and Kindergarten(opens in a new tab), and for 1st and 2nd grade(opens in a new tab).
- Read “Math Trajectories for Young Learners(opens in a new tab),” the book used during this projcect.
- Explore quick blog-style reflections below from educator participants.
Stories from the Classroom
Read educator participants’ stories for reflections on classroom experiences with early numeracy and activity inspiration.
Numeracy at Home by Paige Seymour, Brewer Community School Second Grade Teacher
Math Beyond the Classroom Walls by Julie Montalbano, Biddeford Schools Instructional Coach
Math on the Wall! by Leah Welch, Fruit Street School Teacher
Just Playing Around! Or was it…? by Ally Loukas, Fruit Street School PreK Teacher
Math is Fun! by Kathy Sobel, Cave Hill School Teacher
Counting Around the Classroom by Reba Walton, Dayton Consolidated School Teacher
Math Munch! by Kate Dawson, Teacher, and Sarah Greenberg, First Grade Teacher, Pownal Elementary School
MMSA Project Staff
STEM Education Specialist
STEM Education Specialist
Math Consultant
Audience
Subject
Project Funding
Funded by the Maine Department of Education as a component of their Maine State Numeracy Action Plan(opens in a new tab).
Title IIA funds received from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) support the implementation of this project. The project has an award totaling $119,422.62 of which 100% is federally funded and directly attributed to project implementation. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ED or the U.S. government.
This professional learning opportunity is a collaboration between the Maine Department of Education’s Office of Teaching and Learning and MMSA. Building Strong Foundations: An Early Numeracy Initiative aligns with the Maine DOE’s Statewide Action Plans, supporting statewide priorities for high-quality instruction and student achievement.