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Article
Nonsymbolic and symbolic magnitude comparison skills as longitudinal predictors of mathematical achievement
Learning and Instruction
  • Iro Xenidou-Dervou, Loughborough University
  • Dylan Molenaar, Universiteit van Amsterdam
  • Daniel Ansari, Western University
  • Menno van der Schoot, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
  • Ernest C.D.M. van Lieshout, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2017
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1016/j.learninstruc.2016.11.001
Abstract

What developmental roles do nonsymbolic (e.g., dot arrays) and symbolic (i.e., Arabic numerals) magnitude comparison skills play in children's mathematics? We assessed a large sample in kindergarten, grade 1 and 2 on two well-known nonsymbolic and symbolic magnitude comparison measures. We also assessed children's initial IQ and developing Working Memory (WM) capacities. Results demonstrated that symbolic and nonsymbolic comparison had different developmental trajectories; the first underwent larger developmental improvements. Both skills were longitudinal predictors of children's future mathematical achievement above and beyond IQ and WM. Nonsymbolic comparison was moderately predictive only in kindergarten. Symbolic comparison, however, was a robust and consistent predictor of future mathematics across all three years. It was a stronger predictor compared to nonsymbolic, and its predictive power at the early stages was even comparable to that of IQ. Furthermore, the present results raise several methodological implications regarding the role of different types of magnitude comparison measures.

Citation Information
Iro Xenidou-Dervou, Dylan Molenaar, Daniel Ansari, Menno van der Schoot, et al.. "Nonsymbolic and symbolic magnitude comparison skills as longitudinal predictors of mathematical achievement" Learning and Instruction Vol. 50 (2017) p. 1 - 13
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/daniel-ansari/16/