The Family-Engaged Math Approach: An Initial Investigation

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 12:40 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Promoting STE(A)M Through Family, School, Community Partnerships (Table 30)

Abstract

This presentation shares findings from the initial development and analysis of tools to support family engagement. Working with two preschool teachers, the research team used Practice-Based Coaching and math-focused learning labs to support teachers in building relationships with families around math learning. The purpose was to address both home/school engagement and early math learning by providing a topic for teachers and families to engage around. The intervention required that teachers use stay-and-play experiences for families and classroom-based math drawing from developmentally and culturally appropriate practices. The teachers reported better engagement with families. However, relationships with families remained unidirectional, with teachers providing information to families. Future work will include these tools in a larger intervention focused on bi-directional relationships.

Authors

• Stephanie C. Sanders-Smith, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Jessica Hardy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Angelica Taylor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Casey (Keunhee) Kim, University of Hawaii - Manoa