Effects of a Preschool Mathematics Curriculum: Research on the NSF-funded Building Blocks Project

The Building Blocks project is a research-based mathematics curriculum designed for children from Pre–K to grade 2, funded by the National Science Foundation. It integrates technology, manipulatives, and print materials to help children extend and mathematize their everyday activities, fostering mathematical thinking through engaging and developmentally appropriate content. The curriculum is structured around empirically-based learning trajectories, focusing on two main areas: number/operations and geometric/spatial concepts, with subthemes like patterns, data, and sequencing woven throughout.

The design process emphasizes rigorous research, including field-testing, pilot studies, and iterative refinement based on feedback. Summative evaluations conducted in Head Start and state-funded pre-kindergarten programs showed significant positive effects, with achievement gains comparable to individual tutoring. Effect sizes for number and geometry posttests were.85 and 1.44, respectively, while gains measured against pretests reached 1.71 and 2.12, demonstrating large educational impacts.

The curriculum includes daily activities, teacher guides, and software with research-based learning trajectories, connecting informal knowledge to formal mathematics. It exemplifies the integration of curriculum development and mathematics education research, reducing the gap between theory and practice. The Building Blocks project highlights the importance of NSF funding for comprehensive research and development efforts.