Photo: Anna Löwenhielm/FoNS
Photo: Anna Löwenhielm/FoNS

FoNS-aware children recognise number symbols and know associated vocabulary and meaning (Malofeeva et al. 2004). They can identify a particular number symbol from a collection of number symbols and name a number when shown that symbol (Clarke and Shinn 2004; Gersten et al. 2005; Van de Rijt et al. 1999; Yang and Li 2008). Children who experience difficulty with number recognition tend to experience later mathematical problems (Lembke and Foegen 2009), particularly with subitising (Koontz and Berch 1996; Stock et al. 2010). Alternatively, children who are able to recognise numbers are more able to manage multi-digit arithmetic than those who cannot (Desoete et al. 2012; Krajewski and Schneider 2009). Importantly, such skills are better predictors of later mathematics achievement than either general measures of intelligence or earlier achievement scores (Geary et al. 2009), effects lasting as late as adolescence (Geary et al. 2013).

 

References

Clarke, B., & Shinn, M. (2004). A preliminary investigation into the identification and development of early mathematics curriculum-based measurement. School Psychology Review, 33(2), 234-248.

Desoete, A., Ceulemans, A., De Weerdt, F., & Pieters, S. (2012). Can we predict mathematical learning disabilities from symbolic and non-symbolic comparison tasks in kindergarten? Findings from a longitudinal study. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 82(1), 64-81.

Geary, D. (2013). Early foundations for mathematics learning and their relations to learning disabilities. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 22(1), 23-27.

Geary, D. Bailey, D., & Hoard, M. (2009). Predicting mathematical achievement and mathematical learning disability with a simple screening tool. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 27(3), 265-279.

Gersten, R., Jordan, N., & Flojo, J. (2005). Early identification and interventions for students with mathematics difficulties. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 38(4), 293-304.

Krajewski, K., & Schneider, W. (2009). Early development of quantity to number-word linkage as a precursor of mathematical school achievement and mathematical difficulties: Findings from a four-year longitudinal study. Learning and Instruction, 19(6), 513-526.

Koontz K. & Berch D. (1996) Identifying simple numerical stimuli: Processing inefficiencies exhibited by arithmetic learning disabled children. Mathematical Cognition 2, 1-23.

Lembke, E., & Foegen, A. (2009). Identifying early numeracy indicators for kindergarten and first-grade students. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 24(1), 12-20.

Malofeeva, E., Day, J., Saco, X., Young, L., & Ciancio, D. (2004). Construction and evaluation of a number sense test with Head Start children. Journal of Educational Psychology, 96(4), 648-659.

Stock, P., Desoete, A., & Roeyers, H. (2010). Detecting children with arithmetic disabilities from kindergarten: Evidence from a 3-year longitudinal study on the role of preparatory arithmetic abilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 43(3), 250-268.

Van de Rijt, B., Van Luit, J., & Pennings, A. (1999). The construction of the Utrecht early mathematical competence scale. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 59(2), 289-309.

Yang, D.-C., & Li, M.-N. (2008). An investigation of 3rd-grade Taiwanese students' performance in number sense. Educational Studies, 34(5), 443 - 455.