Predicting children's mathematical performance in grade one by early numeracy

This longitudinal study examined how children's early numeracy assessed in kindergarten predicts their mathematical performance in the first grade, after controlling for the effects of age, gender, and parents' education. The participants were 212 Finnish children (107 girls and 105 boys). At the time of the first assessment (kindergarten), the mean age was six years, and the second assessment was conducted one year later. The results demonstrate that the acquisition of counting and relational skills before formal schooling are predictive of the acquisition of basic arithmetical skills and overall mathematical performance in grade one, above and beyond the effects of demographic factors.

Research highlights
► Early numeracy refers to child's understanding of numbers and their relationships.
► Early numeracy is predictive of the acquisition of basic arithmetical skills.
► Early numeracy is predictive of mathematical performance in grade one.
► The effects exist above and beyond the effects of demographic factors.