ERIC Number: ED673216
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jan-6
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Early Numeracy and Mathematics Development: A Longitudinal Meta-Analysis on the Predictive Nature of Early Numeracy
Yuting Liu1; Peng Peng1; Xueye Yan1
Grantee Submission
In this meta-analysis of 54 longitudinal studies with over 58,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, we examined the predictive nature of early numeracy measured at or before the first year of formal schooling in relation to later mathematics. Results showed that early numeracy significantly predicted mathematics measured after 6 months or later, r = 0.49, 95% confidence interval [0.47, 0.52]. After controlling for all moderators in a model, results indicated that (a) different early numeracy including numbering, relations, and arithmetic operations did not differ much in their predictions of different later mathematics; (b) early numeracy as a whole was more predictive of later advanced mathematics skills (word problems) than of later foundational mathematics skills (calculations and fact fluency); (c) early numeracy's prediction of later mathematics was stronger with longer prediction intervals; and (d) the earlier early numeracy was assessed, the stronger its prediction of later mathematics. Together, these findings suggest that early numeracy may be a unitary construct. Early numeracy does not merely serve as a steppingstone with temporary effects on foundational mathematics; instead, it likely triggers a snowballing effect, cumulatively influencing mathematics development over time. [This is the online first version of an article published in "Journal of Educational Psychology" (ISSN 0022-0663).]
Descriptors: Numeracy, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics Education, Predictor Variables, Meta Analysis, Longitudinal Studies, Kindergarten, Elementary School Students, Secondary School Students, Number Concepts, Arithmetic, Word Problems (Mathematics), Learning Processes, Correlation, Mathematics Achievement
Publication Type: Information Analyses; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Kindergarten; Primary Education; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED); National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R324A220268; 2405797
Data File: URL: https://osf.io/yebjh/
Department of Education Funded: Yes