Individual differences in general and specifi c cognitive precursors in early mathematical learning

  1. Estíbaliz Aragón 1
  2. Gamal Cerda 2
  3. Cándida Delgado 1
  4. Manuel Aguilar 1
  5. José I. Navarro
  1. 1 Universidad de Cádiz
    info

    Universidad de Cádiz

    Cádiz, España

    ROR https://ror.org/04mxxkb11

  2. 2 Universidad de Concepción
    info

    Universidad de Concepción

    Concepción, Chile

    ROR https://ror.org/0460jpj73

Journal:
Psicothema

ISSN: 0214-9915,  1886-144X

Year of publication: 2019

Volume: 31

Issue: 2

Pages: 156-162

Type: Article

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Abstract

Background: The acquisition of mathematical abilities is associated not only with several academic aptitudes but also with the development of particular cognitive skills. This study analysed the role of the general and specifi c domain precursors of informal mathematical thinking. Method: A total of 109 4-year-old children (M = 59.30 months; SD = 3.56) participated in the study, in which the participants’ informal math and cognitive variables were assessed. A stepwise regression model was calculated. Results: The complex inferential model evidenced the role of the three general-domain variables analysed, in addition to numerical estimation as a specifi c-domain variable. 48.5% of participants’ variability in informal mathematical thinking, evaluated with the TEMA-3 test, was explained by three of the general domain precursors: working memory, processing speed and receptive vocabulary; as well as by estimation, a specifi c-domain precursor. The model showed a higher explanatory statistical weight for boys (48.9%) than girls (37.5%). Conclusions: The model indicated that working memory and processing speed were the main predictors of informal mathematical thinking at the age of four. A joint remedial or preventative intervention, taking into account predictors of the specifi c and general domains, could be the optimal option to improve achievement in mathematics.

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Funding information

This work was supported by the MINECO/FEDER Spanish government project PSI2015-63856-P; FONDECYT n. 1191064; FONDECYT n. 1160980 and CONICYT Basal Funding Program (FB0003) Chilean government.

Funders

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