The Funexpected Math app acts as a gateway for kids to enter the world of math culture.
Fun predictive math
Many American students struggle with math. According to the most recent NAEP tests, 64% of fourth graders and 74% of eighth graders score below proficient. This performance gap signals a problem in college readiness, as students who score below proficient on NAEP or TIMSS rarely graduate from a four-year college. And the situation is getting worse. Over the past decade, the United States was the only country among 29 countries studied to see a widening gap between top and bottom performers in both math and science, as the scores of bottom performers declined while those of top performers remained stable. Given that research has consistently demonstrated that early math education is important in predicting later academic achievement and overall cognitive development, this widening gap highlights the need for new educational interventions.
Establishing a robust mathematics culture in society starts with a focus on young children. Their early experiences lay the foundation for a lifetime of engagement with mathematics. Yet the educational value of mathematics is often unknown to the majority of the population. Parents often want to engage with their children but don't know how. They pick up a textbook and try it, only to see their child's reluctance. But this situation is not new. In fact, it is similar to previous times when most people were illiterate and considered that normal. The challenge now is therefore to develop resources to spread mathematics culture and make it widely available.
Students from low-income families are at high risk of falling behind in early math and therefore can especially benefit from technology interventions. A recent study by the University of Chicago's Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab, led by Ariel Khalil, demonstrated that interactive, well-designed digital interventions that support all participants in the learning process can close the math gap between low-income and high-income families. The study found that when children from disadvantaged families used these tools, they made progress in six months that would typically take a year and a half in traditional classrooms. I spoke with Alexandra Kajlo and Natasha Pereldik, developers of the Funexpected Math app featured in the study. Both are mothers, and both were driven by a desire to create the best learning tools for their children.
The two began by researching various educational apps and quickly realized that many apps prioritized engagement over true learning. Some apps were well designed, but often failed to accommodate different learning styles and abilities, instead strictly following the school curriculum. Most apps were frustratingly linear and restrictive, did not embrace the diverse nature of math, and did not provide an opportunity to compare and contrast multiple solutions, an important mindset that needs to be developed early on. Noticing a gap in the market for quality math education tools, Kazilo and Pereldik envisioned an app that would stimulate children's learning and critical thinking, and launched one of the best interactive multilingual math education apps for young children. The app is used by over 1 million users worldwide, including advanced learners and those with special needs.
The app, available free for schools, is designed to help children aged 3-7 develop fundamental mathematical thinking habits while providing an experience tailored to their individual needs and abilities. Children in this age group demonstrate an incredible range of talents: some excel at geometry, others have a strong grasp of numbers, and others excel at logic. This diversity means a one-size-fits-all approach won't effectively engage all children. That's why the Funexpected Math app fosters a growth mindset and mathematical identity by exposing them to different areas of mathematics, allowing for exploration and helpful mistakes, and giving them the opportunity to play and experiment with problems multiple times without the fear of failure.
Watch as your child's math proficiency improves with every attempt.
Fun predictive math
There are many benefits parents and educators can derive from this app. For example, the app helps kids identify gaps in math concepts and skills and quickly catch up. Additionally, the tool also helps teachers in the classroom when providing individualized instruction. The app also allows researchers to observe how young children learn. It has been found that students consistently go through several distinct stages. At first, they simply understand what to do and enthusiastically try to do it right. Then, once they succeed, they start doing it wrong on purpose. Why? Because children are exploring the world, wondering what would happen if they messed everything up, and trying to gain a sense of control over the learning process. Integrating mistakes and opportunities for exploration is a key aspect of education.
By nurturing curiosity and ability for mathematics in early childhood, we also foster the development of a community of parents who value and prioritize mathematics education. Thus, our focus on young children is not only crucial to their own educational journey, but also helps shape a society where mathematics is recognized as a unifying force, fosters family bonds, fosters community, and is embraced as a cornerstone of societal progress. Kajlo and Pereldik encourage everyone — parents, grandparents, educational researchers, developmental psychologists, special needs teachers, and teachers of older learners — to download the app and try it for themselves.
