Preschool Number Skills Predict Future Math Performance
Author Information
Author(s): Mazzocco Michèle M. M., Feigenson Lisa, Halberda Justin
Primary Institution: Johns Hopkins University
Hypothesis
Does preschoolers' precision in the Approximate Number System predict their later school mathematics performance?
Conclusion
The study found that preschoolers' ANS precision predicts their mathematics performance at age 6, independent of other cognitive abilities.
Supporting Evidence
- Children's ANS precision at preschool predicted their TEMA-3 scores at age 6.
- The study controlled for full-scale intelligence to isolate the effect of ANS precision.
- No significant correlation was found between ANS precision and non-mathematical cognitive skills.
Takeaway
If kids are good at guessing numbers before they start school, they are likely to do well in math later on.
Methodology
Children's ANS precision was measured at ages 3-4, and their math abilities were assessed two years later using standardized tests.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the limited demographic diversity of the sample.
Limitations
The sample was small and primarily consisted of children from middle socioeconomic backgrounds.
Participant Demographics
17 children (7 girls, 10 boys), mostly white, from middle socioeconomic status families.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.030
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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