The Effect Of Approximate Number System Accuracy On Mathematical Ability In Young Children Aged 5-6:The Dual Mediation Effects

The Approximate Number System refers to a system that an individual can represent a large number(≥4)approximately,which is innate in the human brain.And it explains the human’s basic number sense together with the precise number system.The Approximate Number System has a close relation with the mathematical ability.However this relation is not linear one and there may be some mediators.This study will explore whether the Execution Function and Visual-Space Ability are the mediators of the relationship between accuracy of the Approximate Number System and mathematical ability,and further clarify the mechanism of action between the accuracy of the Approximate Number System and Mathematical Ability.The study takes the central city D,the southern city of H and Z,and the northern city C in Hunan Province as the sample source.There are265 children aged 5-6 participating in the study,including 133 girls,whose maximum age is 72 months and the minimum age is 60 months.And the average age is about 65.29 months.There are 132 boys,whose maximum age is 72 months and the minimum age is 60 months,and the average age is about 65.81 months.Having adopted the Pamanath(http://panamath.org),the Chinese version TEMA(Test of Early Math Ability-III,referred to as TEMA)and Tap task,Flexible Item Selection Task,Number Backward,the wooden block pattern of the Chinese version Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence(WPPSI),and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised-Chinese Edition toexamine the accuracy of the approximate number system,the Early Mathematical Ability,the Execution Function(Inhibitory Control,Cognitive Flexibility,Working Memory),Visual-Space Ability and Language Skills among the children aged 5-6.The results show that:(1)After controlling the factors of Language Skills,Visual-Space Ability and Execution Functions,the accuracy of the Approximate Number System of the children aged 5-6 has a significant relation with the Mathematical Ability(2)The accuracy of the Approximate Number System of the children aged 5-6 has a dual mediating effect on their Early Mathematical Ability.The effects of the accuracy of the Approximate Number System on the Early Mathematical Ability follow the path: "the accuracy of the Approximate Number System-Early Mathematical Ability","the accuracy of the Approximate Number System-Execution Function-Early Mathematical Ability","The accuracy of the Approximate Number System-Visual-Space Ability-Early Mathematics Ability." Among them,Execution Function and Visual-Space Ability play a part of mediator.Based on the results of this study,there are three educational suggestions put forward.Firstly,pay attention to the development of children’s accuracy of the Approximate Number System in daily teaching.Secondly,improve children’s Visual-Space Ability in regional activities.Thirdly,develop the Execution Function in preschool children’s mathematics curriculum.