Improving early mathematical skills by supporting home learning

This project aims to understand the relationship between specific types of home mathematics activities and children’s outcomes. It will develop an intervention to assess the causal relation between home mathematics activities and early mathematical development.

Why this research is important

Disparities in mathematical skills emerge at an early age, widen throughout childhood, and are negatively associated with children’s future attainment.

Home mathematics activities (HMAs) have been proposed as a way to support mathematical development and narrow attainment gaps. However, research shows there is variation in the extent to which parents engage in home maths activities.  

How the research will be carried out

The research will be completed in three stages.

1. The first stage will use three existing UK-based datasets to identify:

• which types of home maths activities are most strongly associated with the development of mathematical skills
• whether the frequency or range of home maths activities matter for early mathematical skills
• and whether engagement with home maths activities varies by socio-economic status.

2. The second stage will:

• develop a theory of change and logic model for a new intervention to promote the use of home maths activities
• involve co-production workshops with practitioners and parents, to help to draft intervention materials and map intended short-term and long-term child and parent outcomes.

3. The third stage will involve a feasibility and early efficacy pilot study with a group of three- and four-year-olds. Parent-child pairs will be asked to complete the intervention and participate in qualitative interviews to test:

• the feasibility of recruitment procedures
• acceptability
• resources
• and practicalities of conducting the outcome assessments.

The pilot study will:

• generate a preliminary effect size for the intervention
• provide further evidence on whether home mathematics activities are related to early mathematical skills
• evaluate recruitment and attrition rates
• and collect further evidence on feasibility and acceptability from interviews with parents.

Outcomes of the research

The findings will be published in academic articles, reports, and policy briefs.

Practical workshops will be hosted for the participants in the project and local families.