Empowering Ecuadorian preschool and kindergarten teachers to provide effective mathematics education

Early math skills are critical for further academic success, professional perspectives and long-term well-being. In Ecuador, 4-6-year-olds’ math development is seriously constrained due to weak-nesses in early childhood (EC) teachers’ competencies to offer high-quality math instruction. This project aims to design, in close collaboration with key stakeholders in EC education, a professional development (PD) program to strengthen EC teachers’ competencies in math instruction. Teach-ers will co-design, implement and evaluate early math activities in professional learning commu-nities, supported by teacher trainers and researchers. Next, they will (be trained to) share the PD program within local teacher networks, ensuring regional dissemination, impact and sustainability. Outcomes include a PD program with early math activities and materials, available on MINEDUC’s platform and disseminated via workshops, conferences and publications.