ERIC Number: ED589147
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 47
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Home Math Environment: More than Numeracy
Zippert, Erica L.; Rittle-Johnson, Bethany
Grantee Submission
The goal of the current study is to develop a more complete understanding of the early "home math environment," encompassing both numeracy and non-numeracy aspects of that environment. Parents of preschoolers (n = 63) were surveyed about their support of three components of early mathematics knowledge (i.e., numeracy, spatial, and pattern) as well as parents' math-related beliefs about themselves and their children. Children were administered a broad math knowledge assessment which included a numeracy subscale, and individual measures of spatial and patterning skills in the fall (concurrently). Broad math knowledge was measured again in the spring of the preschool year. Parents indicated providing some support of early math development through numeracy, spatial, and patterning activities, with a stronger emphasis on numeracy than pattern and space. Parents' child-specific ability beliefs were related to their numeracy, pattern, and broad math support, while their parent-specific ability beliefs were related to their spatial support. Parent support was rarely linked to child skills, except that numeracy support related to concurrent numeracy knowledge. Findings suggest that although parents do support a broad range of early math skills at home, parents tend to prioritize supporting early numeracy. Parents' beliefs, especially about their child's academic abilities, may influence components of the early home math environment, but future research is needed to better understand the relations between parent's academic beliefs and the home math environment they create. [This paper will be published in "Early Childhood Research Quarterly."]
Descriptors: Family Environment, Mathematics Instruction, Numeracy, Preschool Children, Parent Attitudes, Parents as Teachers, Spatial Ability, Mathematics, Knowledge Level, Mathematics Skills, Parent Role, Academic Ability, Mathematics Activities, Cognitive Development, Verbal Ability, Individual Characteristics
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence; Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R305A160132
Author Affiliations: N/A