Number sense in infancy predicts math ability - 10/31/13 06:13 PM
The full paper is available at the site.
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/10/16/1302751110
Number sense in infancy predicts mathematical abilities in childhood
Ariel Starra, Melissa E. Libertusc, and Elizabeth M. Brannon
PNAS, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Significance
The uniquely human mathematical mind sets us apart from all other animals. How does this powerful capacity emerge over development? It is uncontroversial that education and environment shape mathematical ability, yet an untested assumption is that number sense in infants is a conceptual precursor that seeds human mathematical development. Our results provide the first support for this hypothesis. We found that preverbal number sense in 6-month-old infants predicted standardized math scores in the same children 3 years later. This discovery shows that number sense in infancy is a building block for later mathematical ability and invites educational interventions to improve number sense even before children learn to count.
ETA: discussed at Duke Today, October 22, 2013
http://today.duke.edu/2013/10/babymath
Baby's Innate Number Sense Predicts Future Math Skill:
Innate ability to identify quantities previews future mathematics performance
http:/
Number sense in infancy predicts mathematical abilities in childhood
Ariel Starra, Melissa E. Libertusc, and Elizabeth M. Brannon
PNAS, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Significance
The uniquely human mathematical mind sets us apart from all other animals. How does this powerful capacity emerge over development? It is uncontroversial that education and environment shape mathematical ability, yet an untested assumption is that number sense in infants is a conceptual precursor that seeds human mathematical development. Our results provide the first support for this hypothesis. We found that preverbal number sense in 6-month-old infants predicted standardized math scores in the same children 3 years later. This discovery shows that number sense in infancy is a building block for later mathematical ability and invites educational interventions to improve number sense even before children learn to count.
ETA: discussed at Duke Today, October 22, 2013
http:/
Baby's Innate Number Sense Predicts Future Math Skill:
Innate ability to identify quantities previews future mathematics performance