Work

Relational language influences young children’s number relation skills

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: Relational language is thought to influence mathematical skills. This study examines the association between relational language and number relation skills-knowledge of cardinal, ordinal, and spatial principles-among 104 U.S. kindergartners (5.9 years; 44% boys; 37% White, 25% Black, 14% Asian, 24% other) in the 2017-2018 academic year. Controlling for general verbal knowledge, executive function, and counting and number identification skills, relational language predicted later number relation skills, specifically number line estimation, β = .30. Relational language did not differentially predict number line estimation performance in children with low or high number relation skills, likely due to the restricted ranges of data within subgroups. Number relation skills, specifically number line estimation and number ordering, may be a pathway between relational language and mathematical skills.

Source: Child Development

DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13737

Authors: Jenny Yun-Chen Chan, Maria D Sera, Michèle M M Mazzocco

Institution: University of Minnesota

Language: English

Topic: Cognitive and developmental aspects of mathematical skills

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,950