Dev Sci Colloquium: David Purpura (Purdue)

Integrating numeracy and literacy: A family picture book intervention for building early numeracy skills

Abstract: Early quantitative math language (e.g., words and concepts such as more, most, few, some) is one of the strongest predictors of children's numeracy development. In fact, it is a better predictor of later numeracy performance than is initial numeracy performance when measured over the preschool time period (ages 3-5). However, little prior work has evaluated methods for effectively intervening on this construct. In this talk, I will discuss three phases of intervention development and evaluation: (1) initial pilot evidence, (2) development of intervention materials that incorporate cognitive and developmental research, and (3) full-scale randomized control trial with parents implementing the intervention. Results indicate that the intervention was easy for parents to implement, highly engaging, brief (12 15-minute sessions), and effective at improving children’s math language and numeracy skills. Details of all three phases, as well as future directions, will be discussed.

Bio: David Purpura is an associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Purdue University and the co-director of the Center for Early Learning. His research focuses on early mathematics development and contextual influences (e.g., home, school), as well as on evaluating interventions and instructional methods that enhance this development. He currently has grants from the National Science Foundation, Institute for Education Sciences, Heising-Simons Foundation, and the NewSchools Venture Fund.