A FoNS aware child will be able to perform simple arithmetical operations (Ivrendi 2011; Jordan and Levine 2009; Malofeeva et al. 2004; Yang and Li 2008); skills which underpin arithmetical and mathematical fluency (Berch 2005; Dehaene 2001; Jordan et al. 2007). Indeed, simple arithmetical competence, or the transformation of small sets through addition and subtraction (Jordan and Levine 2009), has been found to be a stronger predictor of later mathematical success than measures of general intelligence (Geary et al. 2009; Krajewski and Schneider 2009). However, drawing on their experiences of combining physical objects, children’s ability to solve nonverbal problems develops before the ability to solve comparable word problems (Levine et al. 1992).
References
Berch, D. (2005). Making sense of number sense. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 38(4), 333-339.
Dehaene, S. (2001). Précis of the number sense. Mind & Language, 16(1), 16-36.
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.
Ivrendi, A. (2011). Influence of self-regulation on the development of children’s number sense. Early Childhood Education Journal, 39(4), 239-247.
Jordan, N.., & Levine, S. (2009). Socioeconomic variation, number competence, and mathematics learning difficulties in young children. Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, 15(1), 60-68.
Jordan, N., Kaplan, D., Locuniak, M., & Ramineni, C. (2007). Predicting first-grade math achievement from developmental number sense trajectories. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 22(1), 36-46.
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.
Levine, S., Jordan, N., & Huttenlocher, J. (1992). Development of calculation abilities in young children. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 53(1), 72-103.
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.
Yang, D.-C., & Li, M.-N. (2008). An investigation of 3rd-grade Taiwanese students' performance in number sense. Educational Studies, 34(5), 443 - 455.