The past ten years have seen an explosion of renewed interest in teaching mathematics to young children. It is exciting for sure, because not only do kids learn the diverse subject matter of mathematics, but they also start early on, learning how to think in a clear, logical and effective way – skills needed in all arenas of life.

At SchoolPlus we have over 20 years of experience teaching children, but we have to say that we are “getting younger" as the years pass: We began with the teaching of high school students, and quickly expanded to fill the demand to teach middle schoolers, and then to teaching the very young ones – elementary and preschool children. Today, almost 40% of our body is elementary and preschool students, 40% is middle school students, and only 20% are high schoolers. So we are indeed “getting younger.”

We purposely seek out these younger students because we are absolutely convinced that getting kids started early is in their very best interest. Students who begin early generally have a smoother, more meaningful, and happier trip through school mathematics.

Mary Marvin, one of our Math teachers at SchoolPlus, teaches all levels of advanced math (all AP Math courses, college level math classes etc.). It might be surprising that a teacher of more advanced mathematics is a pioneer in SchoolPlus to create new programs for Middle and Elementary school, but Ms. Marvin has an explanation: "What I've seen in my classes is that unless students are trained correctly early on, they will have difficulty at a later day. Even by 4th grade it's hard. If kids have coasted along doing only simple things, they resist and simply don't understand why now (in 4th grade or so), they are being asked to do things that are hard.” While building a foundation for math earlier is desirable, it is not just about knowing numbers and counting but about understanding numbers concepts. (Part 1 of series …)