A child describes examples (and non-examples) of common 2-D shapes.

Focus on the Child videos are taken from one-on-one interviews with individual children. The interviews are designed to elicit evidence of children’s mathematical thinking. They are not teaching episodes or formal assessments.

Jennifer McCray, director of the Early Math Collaborative, provides a play-by-play narration as a pre-k teacher leads her students through a tower building exercise with blocks. McCray provides insights into the complexity and impact of this seemingly simple activity.

A child builds structures using magnetic blocks.

Focus on the Child videos are taken from one-on-one interviews with individual children. The interviews are designed to elicit evidence of children’s mathematical thinking. They are not teaching episodes or formal assessments.

A child uses variously shaped blocks to create a star.

Focus on the Child videos are taken from one-on-one interviews with individual children. The interviews are designed to elicit evidence of children’s mathematical thinking. They are not teaching episodes or formal assessments.

A kindergartner explains how to draw a rectangle.  Later he finds a new shape to draw in the classroom.

Focus on the Child videos are taken from one-on-one interviews with individual children. The interviews are designed to elicit evidence of children’s mathematical thinking. They are not teaching episodes or formal assessments.

A child uses blocks to make a larger shape.

Focus on the Child videos are taken from one-on-one interviews with individual children. The interviews are designed to elicit evidence of children’s mathematical thinking. They are not teaching episodes or formal assessments.