Educators can apply the ideas in this article by asking how they might take a book they love and explore the math ideas in it. How can they use books that authentically reflect children’ s cultures to engage with mathematical ideas?
This article can also be a jumping-off point for teacher educators, coaches, professional development trainers, and others interested in introducing more math into their professional learning offerings. Consider sharing one HELLO post and associated book, then facilitating a discussion within a learning community. Explore how participants use the book in their own settings— and encourage them to share their own favorite math books!
FURTHER RESOURCES
About the Authors
Alissa A. Lange, PhD, is the director of the Early Childhood STEM Lab and professor of early childhood education at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. langea @ etsu. edu
Ashli-Ann Douglas, PhD, is a developmental psychologist and research associate at WestEd. adougla @ wested. org
Carrie S. Cutler, EdD, is a clinical professor of mathematics education at the University of Houston in Houston, Texas. cscutler @ central. uh. edu
Jessica Mercer Young, PhD, is a principal research scientist at Education Development Center. jyoung @ edc. org
NAEYC Accreditation
This article supports the following NAEYC Early Learning Programs standards and topics.
Standard 4: Teaching
Teaching to Enhance Each Child’ s Development and Learning
Standard 8: Professionalism
Demonstrating Professionalism as Early Childhood Educators
Copyright © 2026 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. See permissions and reprints online at NAEYC. org / resources / permissions.
62 Educating Young Children
Fall 2026