Development and Pilot Testing of The Number Farm: A Numeracy Screener for Preschool-Age Children

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Publication year

2026

study description

Cross-sectional; Pilot testing

core topic(s)

Early Literacy , Pediatric Primary Care

Population Characteristics

Toddler/Preschool

Exposures, Outcomes, Other

Clinic-Based Programs and Interventions , Implementation and Evaluation , Programs and Interventions (other) , School Readiness and Educational Outcomes , Screening and Tools , Validity, Reliability, Feasibility, and Acceptability

metric(s)

StimQ Cognitive Home Environment Questionnaire (StimQ)
ScreenQ Measure of Screen-Based Media Use (ScreenQ)
The Number Farm (TNF): Emergent Numeracy Screening Measure

objectives

To pilot The Number Farm (TNF) during well-child visits for feasibility, family acceptance, and psychometric validity, particularly with respect to home math and reading environments.

exposure

The Number Farm (TNF) and the Preschool Early Numeracy Screener (PENS) were administered in predetermined, random order. The Number Farm is a 14-page illustrated, rhyming children's book; TNF screener includes 11 scripted items that refer to the book’s content (e.g., covers, scenes) yet are distinct from its text (0–28 points). The PENS, which assesses the same numeracy domains as TNF, was used as the comparison measure. Three-item, Likert-based TNF impression surveys developed by the study team based on prior work were then administered to the child and parent. Surveys of home math activities and attitudes (Likert-based, developed by the study team), home reading environment (StimQ READ), and screen time (ScreenQ) were also administered to the parent.

outcomes evaluated

TNF validation, feasibility, and family acceptance.

setting

English-speaking families with healthy children age 36 to 59 months presenting for well-visits at an academic pediatric primary care clinic serving largely Medicaid-eligible families in Cincinnati, OH.

methods

The Number Farm (TNF) is a children's book designed to screen emergent numeracy and math skills. These are assessed by sharing the book with the child and using an 11-item, scripted scoring form. Numeracy domains and weightings were selected to mirror those in the validated Preschool Early Numeracy Screener (PENS). TNF and PENS were administered in random order to 31 children (mean age = 50 months (±4; 36–71), 17 boys and 14 girls during well-child visits at an academic primary care clinic. Home math activities and attitudes, home reading environment, screen time, and parent and child impressions of TNF were also assessed. Descriptive statistics were computed for all variables. Analyses included Rasch methods, a preliminary estimate of TNF reliability using Cronbach’s alpha (αCr), and concurrent validity estimated using Pearson correlation coefficients between TNF and PENS scores. Pearson coefficients were also computed between TNF total score and demographic, home reading and math environment, and digital media use measures. Analyses were conducted using SAS v9.4 and Winsteps v5.6.4 software.

sample size

31 children participated, mean age = 50 months (±4; 36–71), 17 boys and 14 girls.

measures

The Number Farm (TNF)

• Children’s book designed to screen emergent numeracy and math skills by sharing the book with the child and using an 11-item scoring form that refers to the book content

Preschool Early Numeracy Screener (PENS)

• 25-item screener for emergent numeracy and math skills that has been validated for preschool age

TNF impression surveys

• Three-item, Likert-based surveys developed by the study team based on prior work to examine parents and children’ experiences and satisfaction with the screening tool

Home math activities and attitudes

• Likert-based, developed by the study team

StimQ READ

• Validated instrument to assess home reading environment

ScreenQ

• Validated instrument to assess screen time

results

Mean TNF score was 11 (±8; 0-26) and PENS score was 10 (±8; 0 25). TNF and PENS scores were not normally distributed (Shapiro Wilk p=0.03 and 0.02, respectively), just below the p=0.05 threshold. For reliability, internal consistency was rCo-α=0.94, considered “excellent.” For concurrent validity, the Pearson correlation between TNF and PENS total scores was 0.94 (p<0.001). Overall, psychometric properties of TNF were strong. TNF and PENS total scores were highly correlated (rρ = 0.94), suggesting strong concurrent validity, and internal consistency was excellent (rCo-α = 0.94), suggesting high coherence among screener items. Responses to parent and child surveys were strongly favorable, suggesting that TNF screening may be feasible, useful, and enjoyable during well-visits. Administration time was under 10 minutes.

conclusions

The Number Farm performs well in terms of psychometric validity, family acceptance, and relationships with home reading and math routines. The book-based approach of TNF is family centered, inexpensive, and scalable within existing literacy and early childhood education programs. While further research is critical, this study suggests that TNF may be an appealing option for early numeracy screening in pediatric settings in the preschool age range (3–5 years old), complementing existing school-based tools.

limitations

The study sample size was small and collected from an academic primary care clinic serving largely socioeconomically disadvantaged families, primarily black, which limits generalizability. Additionally, TNF was administered by pediatric residents serving as clinical research coordinators. Future studies are necessary to examine TNF screening within usual clinic workflows, such as administered by a medical assistant or a pediatric provider.