By Dr. Jessica Redcay-Shoff, VP of Product at RoboKind and Author of RoboKind Numeracy
For decades, educators have known that early math skills are one of the strongest predictors of long-term academic success. States are aligning with the research of early numeracy by formally recognizing dyscalculia and implementing policies for early screening and intervention.
In North Dakota, recent legislation explicitly names dyscalculia for the first time, placing it alongside reading challenges like dyslexia. Other states, including Indiana, Iowa, and Montana, are also rolling out statewide math screening initiatives. The message is clear: when we nurture numeracy early, we set students on a path to thrive.
Dyscalculia affects an estimated 5–7% of the population, making it as common as dyslexia, yet it has historically been overlooked. Students with dyscalculia struggle with number sense, spatial reasoning, and fluency in basic math facts. Without support, those gaps widen year after year, leading to frustration, disengagement, and limits on future career pathways.
Did you know? Dyscalculia is as common as dyslexia, yet it remains one of the least recognized learning differences in education.
The good news? Research shows that targeted, multisensory instruction in the early grades can dramatically reduce the risk. Interventions do not have to wait until middle or high school. They can and should begin in Pre-K through second grade.
At RoboKind, our Numeracy program meets this exact need by using:
Multisensory, hands-on lessons that build number sense through play and practice.
Systematic routines that give teachers ready-to-launch tools for addressing gaps quickly.
Repetition of concepts and practice helps students transfer learning from short-term to long-term memory and increases the retention and application of skills.
Virtual Avatar Teaching Assistants that model steps, encourage persistence, and keep learners engaged while teachers remain at the heart of instruction.
This approach does not just teach math facts. It helps children develop the cognitive flexibility and confidence they need to thrive in mathematics, while providing teachers with consistent, evidence-based practices they can trust.
Screening is a critical first step, but it only identifies students who may be at risk. The next question is: what happens next?
RoboKind Numeracy provides a clear, classroom-ready pathway from identification to intervention. When teachers learn that a student struggles with number sense or basic math concepts, they can launch structured, engaging lessons right away, supported by Virtual Avatar Teaching Assistants that make practice fun and consistent.
The wave of new dyscalculia legislation signals a shift: Math difficulties deserve the same early, systematic attention as reading.
At RoboKind, we are proud to stand with educators on the front lines of this movement. By bringing research-based numeracy routines into Pre-K and early elementary classrooms, we can help ensure that no student is left behind simply because numbers feel out of reach.
From building early understanding to fostering lifelong confidence, RoboKind Numeracy is here to make a difference.
Are you preparing for new math screening requirements in your state? Discover how RoboKind Numeracy supports teachers in turning early data into classroom-ready interventions.