Does The Math Skill Set actually help children learn math? A new pilot study says yes

Math can be hard for young children to learn. So much of it is abstract, and early school instruction often doesn’t go deep enough to build true understanding. Without lots of hands-on practice and real-world context, it’s tough for children to develop number sense—the foundation for everything that comes next in math.

Research shows that early play-based math activities—especially those connected to everyday life—can strengthen young children’s foundational math skills. When math is fun, children practice more—and more practice builds the skills that lead to confidence. Those are the principles behind The Math Skill Set.

But how much of a difference can it actually make? To find out, we put our new math program to the test.

A look at our six-week pilot study

Our pilot study followed 28 children of Lovevery families through Part 1 of The Math Skill Set over six weeks. Most were between ages 4 and 5 and enrolled in preschool or pre-K. Families were instructed to use the games, activities, and books for 20 minutes a day, five days a week.

Researchers evaluated the children’s math skills before and after the study using the Preschool Early Numeracy Screener (PENS), a standardized assessment of counting, numerical relationships, arithmetic, numeral knowledge, and story problems. A study-specific assessment to measure specific skills covered in The Math Skill Set was also used.

Parents completed brief weekly check-ins and pre- and post-study surveys, sharing what they observed about their children’s motivation, enthusiasm, and confidence, as well as their own confidence in supporting math learning at home.

Nearly all children (93 to 96%) improved their math scores

Children’s math skills improved substantially after six weeks of using The Math Skill Set. 

On the PENS, 93% of children improved their scores, gaining an average of 6.61 points, a statistically significant increase. And on the assessment specific to The Math Skill Set, 96% of children improved, with scores nearly doubling on average. Effect sizes were large to exceptionally large on both measures (Cohen, 1988). Effect sizes tell us how meaningful the changes in scores are from before families used the Math Skill Set to after using it. The effect sizes found in this pilot study substantially exceeded typical benchmarks for a “large” effect.

On the assessment specific to The Math Skill Set, 96% of children improved, with scores nearly doubling on average, rising from 2.71 to 5.57 out of 8 possible points. Researchers described the effect size as “exceptionally large.” Effect sizes tell us how meaningful the changes in scores are from before using the MSS to after using the MSS. The effect sizes substantially exceed conventional benchmarks for a “large” effect (Cohen, 1988), and are much larger than the impacts typically found in education interventions, where effects often fall below 40

During the study, the children developed foundational skills that support later academic success, including:

• Counting
• Numerical relationships
• Early arithmetic
• Problem-solving
• Numeral recognition
• Story-based math thinking

Because improvement was consistent across both assessments, the findings suggest children weren’t just memorizing activities but developing real mathematical understanding.

100% of parents reported their children felt more motivated and enthusiastic about math

How children feel about math matters, especially early on. Those who feel curious and capable are more likely to keep at it. Because The Math Skill Set centers on games and hands-on activities, children were eager to keep learning even after their 20-minute sessions wrapped up.

By the end of the six weeks, 100% of parents reported their child was more enthusiastic and more motivated, while 85.7% reported increased confidence. Parents also observed that children were increasingly likely to spot math in everyday life and share those discoveries on their own.

100% of parents felt more prepared and 96% felt more confident supporting math learning

Supporting math learning can feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t feel so confident about math yourself. The study found that changed over six weeks.

Nearly all parents (96.4%) reported feeling more confident supporting their child’s math learning, and 100% reported feeling more prepared. Parents also said they felt better equipped with practical tools, more able to make math fun, and more knowledgeable about how math skills develop over time. For many families, having clear, step-by-step guidance removed the guesswork entirely.

All parents said they would continue using The Math Skill Set

At the end of the study, satisfaction scores averaged 9.57 out of 10 and likelihood to recommend averaged 9.64 out of 10. Parents frequently highlighted:

• High-quality materials
• Engaging games and activities
• Easy-to-follow guidance
• Opportunities for independent learning
• Meaningful time together

What’s next

The results of the Math Skill Set efficacy pilot study provide promising preliminary evidence and point to the rationale for a larger controlled study.

For parents, the findings offer an encouraging insight: when math is introduced through playful, hands-on experiences supported by thoughtful guidance, children can build not only stronger math skills, but greater confidence, motivation, and genuine joy in learning ♥️

The Math Skill Set – Part 1

Make math learning fun and meaningful from the start with this collection that builds from counting and quantity to early addition, subtraction, and spatial reasoning.

Learn more

Learn more about the research

de Chambrier, Anne-Françoise, Ariane Baye, Mélanie Tinnes-Vigne, Youssef Tazouti, Joëlle Vlassis, Débora Poncelet, Nadine Giauque, Annick Fagnant, Christophe Luxembourg, Amélie Auquière, Sylvie Kerger, and Christophe Dierendonck. “Enhancing Children’s Numerical Skills through a Play-Based Intervention at Kindergarten and at Home: A Quasi-Experimental Study.” Early Childhood Research Quarterly 54 (2021): 164–178.

Cohen, Jacob. Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences. 2nd ed. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1988.

Flores, Israel. Math Skill Set: Promising Evidence of Effectiveness. Research brief, May 2026. Unpublished report.