Building brilliant little minds

why early math is more than numbers

“Can you find three red blocks?”

It’s a simple question, yet inside it lives a world of discovery, curiosity, and brain-building magic.

At our preschool here in Bahrain, we see early mathematics not as worksheets or drills, but as a playful journey of thinking, reasoning, and wondering. And there’s a reason why this matters so much – the foundations children build now shape their future academic success.

What Finland teaches us about early math

Finland, known for its world-leading education system, believes learning starts with joy and curiosity, not tests and tables. In Finnish preschools, early math is everywhere. It is in the rhythm of songs, the patterns of nature, and the conversations children have while building towers or baking muffins.

Studies shows that children who develop strong early math skills are more likely to excel later in school, not just in math, but also in reading, problem-solving, and logical thinking. Early numeracy is a gateway skill. It gives children the confidence to approach challenges, recognize patterns, and reason through problems, all essential for lifelong learning.

Math in everyday moments

At our preschool, math is woven into every day:

– Counting steps up to the playground.
– Sorting objects by color, size or shape.
– Talking about which smoothie cup is full, half full, or empty.
– Building a tower and wondering, “How tall can it go before it wobbles?”

These playful experiences may seem simple, but they lay the cognitive foundation for academic success, supporting skills like critical thinking, memory, and problem-solving. Those are the very tools children need for school and beyond.

The Parent’s role

from homework helper to wonder partner

You don’t need flashcards or fancy apps to support your child’s math journey.

You just need to notice, talk, and play.

Try these at home:

– Pattern spotting – “Look! Your shirt has stripes!
Can we find something else with a pattern?”

– Estimating fun – “How many grapes do you think fit in this bowl?”

– Comparing – “Whose shadow is longer right now?”

– Story math – Read picture books that include counting, shapes, or sizes and ask your child what they notice.

Coming soon

Parent workshop series

This newsletter marks the start of our Parent workshop series, where we’ll explore:

– How play develops 21st century skills
– Mindful parenting and emotional intelligence
– Nature-based learning and creativity

Stay tuned for workshop dates and invitations and follow our LinkedIn page for insights from our classrooms!

Let’s keep the conversation going

What’s your favorite playful math moment with your child?

This newsletter marks the start of our Parent workshop series, where we’ll explore:

– How play develops 21st century skills
– Mindful parenting and emotional intelligence
– Nature-based learning and creativity

Stay tuned for workshop dates and invitations and follow our LinkedIn page for insights from our classrooms!