Supporting Family Expertise: A Scoping Review of Early Childhood School-Family Math Engagement

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 3:45 pm - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Mathematics Beyond the Classroom: Engaging Families and Affecting Communities

Abstract

Parents are children’s first educators, and early mathematics is crucial for later positive outcomes. Schools engaging families in early mathematical learning is a promising practice yet is often school-centered rather than based on families’ funds of knowledge. This paper scopes literature on family perspectives of children’s mathematical learning, families’ perception of role in promoting mathematics, and being engaged mathematically by schools. The review resulted in 18 articles. Findings highlight family ideas on the nature of mathematics, family support strategies, and nuanced family positionality as mathematical experts and learners. These findings have significant implications for teacher educators, teachers, and schools to design reciprocal family mathematical engagement that builds on family funds of knowledge.

Authors

• Stephanie C. Calabrese, George Mason University

• Leslie La Croix, George Mason University

• Jennifer M. Suh, George Mason University

• Bweikia Steen, George Mason University