PBS SoCal Announces Free FAMILY MATH App to Bring Meaningful Math Experiences to Families Nationwide Now Available in English and Spanish on iOS, Android and Web
Press Contact
Chelsea Grosbeck
cgrosbeck@pbssocal.org
747.201.5202
Los Angeles, Calif. – May 20, 2026 – PBS SoCal, Southern California’s flagship PBS station, today announced the launch of the new FAMILY MATH Play & Learn app, a fun and free digital learning tool designed to help young children explore foundational math concepts. The app expands upon PBS SoCal’s acclaimed multi-platform FAMILY MATH initiative with interactive learning experiences in both English and Spanish. Featuring research-based, ad-free content with no surprise in-app purchases, the app builds early math skills for children from three to five years old in a safe, playful setting that makes learning fun. The FAMILY MATH app is now available nationwide for download on iOS and Android devices and on web-based platforms at pbssocal.org/familymathapp.
“Our research shows children thrive when learning is fun and engaging,” said Rosemary Miller, Senior Director of Early Learning. “This app brings proven FAMILY MATH tools to families nationwide in a way that is accessible and easy to use.”
Highlights from the app include interactive games, music videos and more, organized into themed packages that align with foundational early math learning concepts, such as Measurement, Number Sense, Patterns, Shapes, Sorting, Collecting and Spatial Sense. Existing content will continue to grow with new topics for early learners to explore. Designed in both English and Spanish, a simple toggle of a button allows users to seamlessly explore early math concepts in both languages.
Resources and functionalities are also available for grown-ups to support their child’s learning. Parents, caregivers, and educators are provided with tips for co-play, guidance on learning goals and controls on screen-time for play duration. The app also includes brain breaks, which are short social-emotional learning experiences built into the gameplay that aim to help learners reset and recenter. These brain breaks include three types of experiences: Breathing & Mindfulness, Movement, and Math Missions. The Family Math app integrates social-emotional learning into the gameplay, helping children build these skills (like self-regulation) and encouraging healthy use of screen time. To learn more and access additional FAMILY MATH materials, visit pbssocal.org/familymath.
First announced in 2021, PBS SoCal’s FAMILY MATH initiative helps close the achievement gap for young learners by supporting school readiness for children from under-resourced communities. The initiative has expanded through free workshops and community events, offering resources and bilingual assets that support families and educators across Southern California and beyond recognizing math in everyday life.
The PBS SoCal Family Math Play & Learn app was made possible, in part, by Heising-Simons Foundation, Overdeck Family Foundation and PNC Grow Up Great.
About PBS SoCal
PBS SoCal uses the power of public media for good, strengthening the civic fabric of Southern California and providing our community with an essential connection to a wider world. As a local, donor/member-supported non-profit organization, PBS SoCal is available to stream on the PBS app and the PBS Kids App and reaches 22M viewers across 7 Broadcast channels — including 2 primary channels, PBS SoCal and PBS SoCal Plus and 5 digital subchannels. Select programming is also available on PBS SoCal’s YouTube channel. With a commitment to make content available anytime and anywhere for free, PBS SoCal offers programming that reflects the diversity of Southern California and showcases the full schedule of beloved and trusted PBS content spanning Education, News, Environment and Arts & Culture. PBS SoCal also sparks the sharing of ideas at in-person cultural events and community conversations as well as prepares children for kindergarten and beyond by bringing bilingual, hands-on learning experiences to the community for free.