Child and home predictors of early numeracy skills in kindergarten

The present study investigated the influence of home numeracy experiences on early numeracy skills in kindergarten after controlling for cognitive and linguistic precursors. Eighty-nine children (mean age = 6.1 years) were tested on cognitive, linguistic, and early numeracy skills, and their parents completed a questionnaire on home numeracy practices and expectations. The results showed a unique contribution of parent–child numeracy activities and parents’ numeracy expectations on early numeracy outcomes next to individual child factors (i.e., early literacy skills and grammatical ability), stressing the importance of home numeracy experiences on early numeracy skills.

► We examine the unique role of aspects of home numeracy experiences on early numeracy skills.
► When controlling for cognitive and linguistic skills, parent–child activities and parents’ numeracy expectations predict early numeracy skills.
► Parents play an important role in stimulating their child's numeracy development.