Relationships Between Approximate Number System Accuracy And Mathematical Competence In Young Children Aged 5-6

The early mathematical competence of children is found as an important predictive variable for their later achievements,and is proved to be an indispensable factor that affecting one's study and career in the whole life.It has been always the focus of researchers to explore the elements that influence early mathematical competence.And results from the cognitive neurosciences,brain science,and psychology have showed that there are two core numerical representation systems in human beings:one is precise number system for the magnitudes less than 3 or 4,and the other is the approximate number system for the magnitudes greater than 3 or 4.Although studies have showed the close relationship between the accuracy of approximate number system and early mathematical competence,inconsistent views have been put forward,especially in the results of children who are from different Social Economic Status(SES).For example,the SES of children from migrant workers was significantly lower than that of mix background,mainly because of the difference in parents' education and family income.So the specific relationship of ANS accuracy and math abilities is worth further discussion.In this study,206 children in Shanghai(110 boys and 96 girls,with a mean age of 66.1 months),aged 5-6,were studied for their ANS and the early mathematical competence.Panamath(Halberda&Feigenson,2008)and TEMA-3(Ginsber&Broody,2003)were applied for the analysis of the connection between this two variables.The results indicated that:1 There was a significant negative correlation between the accuracy of non-symbolic magnitude comparison task and weber fraction,and both of which could be used as measurement index in ANS,even the accuracy showed more reliable than the other.2 The accuracy of ANS showed no significant gender differences among the tested children.3 The accuracy of ANS of children from urban kindergarten was significantly higher than that of migrant workers.4 The accuracy of ANS of 5 to 6 years old children showed significant positive correlation with their early mathematical competence.5 The accuracy of ANS could predicted children's mathematical competence,and of which the accuracy of ANS was the main predictor variable.6 The mathematical competence of children from urban kindergarten could be predicted by the accuracy of ANS alone.7 The mathematical competence of children from migrant workers' kindergarten could be predicted by the accuracy of ANS and weber fraction.