Best Math Options for Early Intervention
Compare the best Math options for Early Intervention. Side-by-side features, ratings, and verdict.
Early Intervention educators need math options that fit play-based instruction, family coaching, and developmental progress monitoring for children ages 0-5. The best choices combine strong early numeracy content with flexible delivery across homes, classrooms, and natural routines.
| Feature | TouchMath | Numberblocks | Building Blocks Pre-K | Learning Without Tears - Get Set for School | Khan Academy Kids | ABCmouse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Play-based early math activities | Adaptable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Family engagement tools | Limited | Yes | Limited | Some take-home extensions | Yes | Yes |
| Progress monitoring | Teacher-created | No | Yes | Basic | Limited | Basic parent dashboard |
| IEP or goal alignment | Yes | Indirect | Yes | Yes | Indirect | No |
| Home or mobile-friendly | Printable materials | Yes | Provider-supported | Primarily classroom-based | Yes | Yes |
TouchMath
Top PickTouchMath is a multisensory math program widely used in special education to build early number sense, counting, and simple operations. Its concrete, visual approach can support young children with developmental delays who need explicit instruction and repeated practice.
Pros
- +Strong multisensory support for number identification and counting
- +Useful for children with intellectual disability, autism, or language delays who benefit from concrete visual prompts
- +Offers structured teaching materials that can be adapted into center time, table work, and therapist-led sessions
Cons
- -Less naturally play-based than some early childhood curricula
- -Can require adult scaffolding to translate activities into home routines
Numberblocks
Numberblocks combines engaging videos, songs, and hands-on number concepts to teach counting, quantity, patterns, and operations in developmentally appropriate ways. It is especially useful for embedding math into short, motivating activities for preschool and pre-K learners.
Pros
- +Highly engaging for young children and easy to use in short intervention bursts
- +Supports visual understanding of quantity, composition, and early operations
- +Works well for parent coaching because families can repeat concepts through videos and simple follow-up play
Cons
- -Not designed specifically for IEP documentation or special education progress tracking
- -Some learners need additional hands-on supports beyond screen-based content
Building Blocks Pre-K
Building Blocks Pre-K is a research-based early math curriculum focused on number, geometry, measurement, and patterning through intentional instruction and guided play. It is well aligned with early childhood best practices and supports strong conceptual development.
Pros
- +Built on early math research with a strong emphasis on conceptual understanding
- +Supports guided play, small-group instruction, and intentional teacher prompting
- +Covers a broad range of foundational math skills beyond rote counting
Cons
- -Implementation may require training and planning time
- -Less convenient for quick parent-led use without provider coaching
Learning Without Tears - Get Set for School
Get Set for School includes early childhood math materials alongside readiness instruction, with hands-on manipulatives and playful learning routines. It supports preschool learners through developmentally sequenced activities that fit inclusive and special education settings.
Pros
- +Designed for early childhood classrooms with developmentally appropriate routines
- +Includes hands-on materials that support tactile learners and embedded intervention
- +Easy to pair with circle time, centers, and small-group instruction
Cons
- -Math is one part of a broader school readiness curriculum, so it may not be intensive enough for targeted intervention alone
- -Full implementation can be costly if purchasing multiple kits
Khan Academy Kids
Khan Academy Kids offers free early learning activities, including counting, shapes, sorting, patterns, and basic problem-solving. Its simple interface and broad device access make it useful for home-based services and family-supported practice.
Pros
- +Free and accessible across many devices for families and providers
- +Includes age-appropriate early math activities with engaging visuals and prompts
- +Helpful for extending instruction between visits in home-based or hybrid service models
Cons
- -Limited special education-specific customization for IEP goals
- -Progress data may not be detailed enough for formal intervention documentation
ABCmouse
ABCmouse includes a large library of early math games and activities covering counting, shapes, sequencing, and simple problem-solving. It is popular with families and can supplement intervention when educators need accessible home practice options.
Pros
- +Large variety of early math activities for preschool learners
- +Appealing game-like format can increase engagement for children who need frequent novelty
- +Easy for families to use at home with minimal setup
Cons
- -Content can feel broad rather than targeted to specific developmental goals
- -Not built for special education data collection or individualized intervention planning
The Verdict
For structured, intervention-focused early numeracy, TouchMath and Building Blocks Pre-K are the strongest choices for educators who need intentional teaching and clear alignment to developmental goals. For family-friendly home practice, Numberblocks and Khan Academy Kids are often the easiest to implement across routines, while Get Set for School works well for preschool classrooms wanting math within a broader readiness model. ABCmouse is best used as a supplemental option rather than the core tool for Early Intervention math planning.
Pro Tips
- *Choose tools that support embedded math practice during play, snack, cleanup, and other daily routines, not just table work.
- *Prioritize options that make it easy to coach families with simple activities they can repeat using household materials.
- *Match the program to the child's current developmental level, especially for pre-number concepts like sorting, matching, and one-to-one correspondence.
- *If you need IEP documentation, select a tool that allows measurable progress tracking or can be easily paired with provider data sheets.
- *Look for flexible materials that can be adapted for children with autism, intellectual disability, speech-language delays, or motor needs.