Nikki Stewart

Through Stewart’s innovative teaching idea, “Tiny Polka Dots for Tots,” every incoming kindergarten student at her school will receive a set of Tiny Polka Dot playing cards. The cards are a set of 66 versatile playing cards that come with instructions for 16 different math games and presents the numbers 0-10 in six different student-friendly suits. The cards are appropriate for both home and classroom use and the flexibility of the set makes it valuable to every kindergarten student whether the child is still learning number names or is already fluently counting to 10. By providing the cards for the student, the children and their families can use the fun teaching tool on a regular, ongoing basis to build the child’s early numeracy skills over the summer. The goals are to help reduce differences in readiness due to lack of exposure, reduce the number of students requiring math intervention services, encourage and support active family involvement in children’s education, and strengthen the connection between home and school in a fun, family-centered way.