Examining early predictors of number sense among first graders

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the roles of arithmetic performance, reading and the cognitive correlates of mathematics learning as working memory, rapid automatized naming (RAN) and processing speed on number sense, which is defined as the core of numerical cognition. Participants were 142 first grade students from a total of 17 state and private primary schools. To see the interrelationships among number sense and the other variables aforementioned, correlation analysis was conducted. Correlation analysis indicated that all the variables significantly correlated to each other except RAN and memory measures. To investigate how each variable accounts for the variance of number sense, multiple regression analysis was run. Regression analyses indicated that arithmetic performance, memory for words and reading comprehension accounted for significant variance in number sense. This study also aimed to describe the distinguishing features of first graders who have good (GNS), average (ANS), and poor number sense scores (PNS) in terms of the variables. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Kruskal-Wallis tests were conducted to compare the mean differences between the groups. Results showed that PNS group significantly differed from the GNS group on all the measures. The PNS group was significantly lower than the ANS on arithmetic performance, memory for words, RAN, and reading comprehension. The ANS significantly differed from the GNS on all the measures except RAN and reading comprehension. However, further research is needed to replicate this study in a longitudinal fashion.