Preschool Counts

Preschool Counts is a service-learning program in which Stanford undergraduates and master's students have an opportunity to help children from East Palo Alto develop their math skills so they are prepared to succeed in elementary school.

Research shows that preschool-age children’s understanding of basic math concepts predicts their success in school and whether they complete high school. On average, children from low-income communities begin school with poor math skills, and most never catch up (Math Matters, A. Schoenfeld and D. Stipek, 2011).

In Preschool Counts, Stanford students, both undergraduates and master's students, are taught to provide an engaging, state-of-the-art early math program for preschool-age children at the Ravenswood Child Development Center. The program is in partnership with the Haas Center for Public Service and Stanford University Graduate School of Education. Deborah Stipek, the I. James Quillen Dean of the Stanford Graduate School of Education, is the faculty advisor for Preschool Counts. Each winter, Stipek teaches Education 171, a course in early childhood education with a focus on mathematics instruction for Preschool Counts instructors.

In addition to helping young children develop their love and understanding of math, Preschool Counts instructors expose children to college-going role models. Young children benefit from the experience from instructors, and instructors learn about young children and experience the satisfaction that comes from engaging children in fun and productive learning activities.

Submit an interest form to become a Preschool Counts instructor.

For more information, please contact Renee Scott.