Early mathematical thinking
Understanding how mathematical ideas take shape from birth through the primary years, with attention to children's own ways of reasoning.
View source ↗Eugene Alan Geist, Ph.D.
Young minds.
Big possibilities.
Professor in Elementary & Early Childhood Education at Louisiana State University.
Research, teaching, and writing on how young children build mathematical and scientific understanding.
Explore · Notice · Connect
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LouisianaLutrill & Pearl Payne
School of EducationLSU Early Childhood Education Institute ↗
Research · Education · Outreach
Baton Rouge, LouisianaLutrill & Pearl Payne
School of EducationLSU Early Childhood Education Institute ↗
Research · Education · Outreach
About Gene
Understanding learning
from the beginning.
Gene Geist studies how young children develop mathematical understanding and how educators can support that learning through meaningful experiences. His work connects early mathematics, constructivist approaches to teaching, and the possibilities of music, the arts, and STEM in early childhood. He brings over 30 years of experience in education and research.
LSU faculty profile ↗ · Conference speaker profile ↗Education & academic appointments
Education
Ph.D., Early Child Development and Education
University of Alabama at Birmingham1995
University of Alabama at Birmingham1995
M.Ed., Child Development and Early Childhood Education
University of Cincinnati1991
University of Cincinnati1991
Bachelor’s degree
University of Cincinnati1988
University of Cincinnati1988
Selected appointments
Professor
Louisiana State University2024–present
Louisiana State University2024–present
Associate Professor
Louisiana State University2022–2024
Louisiana State University2022–2024
Faculty appointments
Ohio University1998–2022
Ohio University1998–2022
Assistant Professor
Northwestern Oklahoma State University1995–1998
Northwestern Oklahoma State University1995–1998
Education and appointment dates are drawn from the author-maintained CV linked by LSU. Current professor rank is confirmed by LSU. View faculty profile and CV ↗
Research & ideas
Discovery starts
in everyday experience.
From a child's first patterns to hands-on classroom inquiry, these connected themes run through Gene's research and writing.
Learning through inquiry
Designing opportunities for children to explore, test ideas, and construct understanding through hands-on STEM experiences.
View source ↗Music, movement & mathematics
Connecting mathematical learning with rhythm, everyday conversation, and the experiences families and educators share with children.
View source ↗Selected writing
Ideas for researchers.
Tools for educators.
Books, journal articles, and accessible resources that connect early childhood research with teaching and family life.
Featured book · Routledge · 2025
Reinventing STEM in Early Childhood Education
A Constructivist Approach
A practical approach to building meaningful science, technology, engineering, and mathematics experiences around children's inquiry, from infancy through the early primary years.
Explore the book at Routledge ↗Forthcoming &
in-progress work
Titles and bibliographic details follow Gene’s current CV; acceptance updates reflect publisher correspondence and the author’s confirmation. Book release dates are not specified.
Books in press
In press
Developing professional judgment in early childhood education
Authentic ethical case studies for preservice and practicing educators
Kendall Hunt Publishing · Cynthia F. DiCarlo & Eugene Geist
In press
Navigating early childhood education
Critical issues and professional judgment
Routledge · Eugene A. Geist & Cynthia F. DiCarlo
In press
When school hurts
Why children turn away from school—and how democratic, constructivist schools restore the desire to learn
Routledge · Eugene A. Geist
In press
Music and Movement in the Developing Mind
Music, Movement, Play, Learning and STEM in Early Childhood
NAEYC · Eugene A. Geist, Kamile Geist & Sara Grace
Accepted articles
Accepted; editorial revisions forthcoming
Best Practice for Helping Young Children Develop Numeracy
Rhythm, Play, and Number Sense
Young Children (NAEYC) · Eugene A. Geist
Upcoming journal issue
November/December 2026 issue
Rhythm, Play and Numeracy
Childhood Education Innovations · Eugene A. Geist
Pages 16–22, as listed in the CV.
Manuscripts under review / in progress (2)
These manuscripts remain under review. The journal names identify submission destinations.
Under review since July 2025
Physics with infants
Foundations for early STEM learning
Submitted to Science and Children (NSTA) · Geist, E. A., & Jung, J.
Under review since April 2026
The kitchen as a learning laboratory
Using FoodMASTER FAN Cards and the GUMBO Framework to spark STEM inquiry in early childhood
Submitted to Science and Children, special issue: Kitchen Science (NSTA) · Geist, G., DiCarlo, C. F., & Duffrin, M.
Statuses reviewed October 13, 2026. Accepted work and manuscripts under review are listed separately from published work.
Published work & resources
8 selected works shown
Reinventing STEM in Early Childhood Education: A Constructivist Approach
A Constructivist Approach
Eugene Geist
Routledge
Children Are Born Mathematicians: Supporting Mathematical Development, Birth to Age 8
Supporting Mathematical Development, Birth to Age 8
Eugene Geist
Merrill/Pearson
Using Food as a Fun and Effective Teaching Tool in Preschool
Furr, K., Duffrin, M., & Geist, E. A.
Spark! Innovations in Early Childhood Education · 1(1), Article 3
Where Are the Blocks? A Case for Blocks in Primary and Elementary Classrooms
Geist, E., & Webb, D.
Childhood Education · 100(6), 44–49
Growth Patterns: Fractals, Fibonacci, and More in the Children’s Garden
Geist, E., & Jung, J.
Childhood Education · 98(5), 70–75
A Randomized Pilot Study of Rhythm-Based Music with Movement Strategies on Stress and Interaction Behaviors of Infant Caregivers
Geist, K., Zoccola, P., Andary, N., Geist, E., Dogbey, G., Williams, L. A., & Tuttle, B.
Music and Medicine · 13(1), 7–19
Support Math Readiness Through Music
Eugene Geist
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Support Math Readiness Through Math Talk
Eugene Geist
National Association for the Education of Young Children
A selected bibliography. Publication details are checked against publisher, journal, repository, or library records.
Teaching & professional service
Connecting research
with practice.
Preparing educators, mentoring researchers, and making early learning ideas useful beyond the university.
Teacher preparation & mentoring
Undergraduate and graduate teaching spans child development, mathematics and science education, constructivist theory, curriculum, and educational psychology. His work also includes doctoral advising and mentoring.
Teaching history in the author CV ↗LSU Early Childhood Education Institute (ECEI)
Executive Committee Member-at-large.
Supporting research, education, and outreach in early childhood care and learning.
Visit the LSU ECEI website ↗
Executive committee & partners ↗
Research that crosses disciplines
Collaborative work brings early childhood education together with music and caregiver–infant interaction, including a published randomized pilot study.
Read the study ↗News & highlights
Recent work.
What's ahead.
Selected professional updates from university, publisher, and journal sources. Event status is shown as last verified.
Critical Issues in STEM Education for Young Children
Invited keynote at the 11th International Academic Conference on Education in Cambridge, UK. The talk explores age-appropriate teaching that opens up meaningful, accessible STEM learning for young children.
Organizer speaker profile ↗Reinventing STEM reviewed in Crystallography Reviews
John R. Helliwell's review provides a further scholarly reference for the 2025 book.
Read more ↗From everyday food to preschool learning
A coauthored article in the inaugural volume of Spark! connects early childhood research and classroom practice.
Read more ↗Professional contact
Continue the conversation.
For research, teaching, and speaking inquiries, contact Gene through Louisiana State University.