In the growing discourse of early childhood education, parents’ involvement in numeracy has emerged as a powerful contributor to a child’s mathematical development. A recent study within the Malaysian context highlights that many parents already possess a strong foundation of knowledge, understanding, and positive attitudes towards numeracy and preschool mathematical concepts. Encouragingly, most parents acknowledge the importance of mathematics and express willingness to be involved in their children’s learning journey. However, there is still a gap in how this involvement can be made more effective and developmentally appropriate. Schools and teachers play a pivotal role in bridging this gap.

The Current Landscape of Parental Involvement in Numeracy

The study found that:

  • Parents have high knowledge and positive attitudes toward early numeracy.
  • Many parents are ready and confident to engage in math activities at home.
  • However, their actual experience and instructional strategies are moderate and often limited to basic, operational-level activities such as rote counting, simple problem-solving, and task-based worksheets.

This means that while the intent and awareness are present, the quality and effectiveness of parental involvement need to be enriched—especially when it comes to encouraging deeper thinking skills and conceptual understanding in children.

Common Pitfalls in Home-Based Numeracy Support

The study aligns with previous findings (e.g., Susperreguy et al., 2018; Ramani et al., 2015) which show that parents often:

  • Focus on drill-based tasks rather than explorative learning.
  • Prefer lower-order thinking (LOT) activities like memorization and repetition.
  • Attempt to advance children beyond their developmental stage, which is often counterproductive.

Educational researchers have raised concerns over such approaches, especially in early childhood. Developmentally inappropriate tasks can hinder genuine understanding and diminish children’s confidence and love for learning.

What Schools and Teachers Can Do

To maximize the impact of parents’ involvement in numeracy, here are practical strategies schools and educators can implement:

1. Conduct Parent Workshops on Home Numeracy Practices

Organize regular sessions to:

  • Demonstrate developmentally appropriate math activities.
  • Show how to integrate play-based learning and manipulatives (e.g., blocks, beads).
  • Emphasize process over product, focusing on how children think rather than just what they get right.

2. Provide Simple, Clear Guidance and Resources

Parents often need to know how to teach, not just what to teach. Offer:

  • Activity booklets with examples of open-ended questions and math talk prompts.
  • Video tutorials demonstrating interactive activities that promote higher-order thinking skills (HOTs).
  • A list of household items to use for hands-on math exploration.

3. Create a “Numeracy at Home” Toolkit

Schools can develop a toolkit that includes:

  • Math games and storybooks.
  • Guides on child development and how children learn math.
  • Tips for creating a positive math environment at home without pressure.

4. Encourage Reflective Communication Between Teachers and Parents

Establish ongoing communication through:

  • Journals or mobile apps where teachers share what children are learning in school.
  • Suggestions on how parents can reinforce those concepts at home in informal, fun ways.

5. Avoid Pushing Academics Too Early

Educate parents about the importance of:

  • Aligning activities with their child’s current cognitive stage.
  • Allowing room for mistakes, exploration, and questions.
  • Building confidence before complexity.

The Way Forward: From Awareness to Effective Practice

Although parents show readiness and belief in the value of mathematics, their involvement often lacks the pedagogical depth to be truly effective. Schools and teachers are in a unique position to empower parents by offering strategies grounded in educational research. When parents understand how to create meaningful math experiences at home, they can shift from a role of mere supporters to active facilitators of early numeracy.

In conclusion, promoting parents’ involvement in numeracy is not just about encouraging them to do more but about helping them do it better. This calls for intentional collaboration, structured programs, and accessible resources tailored to the local and cultural context. As we aim to develop numerate citizens, the journey begins at home—but it is guided by our schools.