ERIC Number: EJ1463927
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jun
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0256-2928
EISSN: EISSN-1878-5174
Available Date: 2025-03-21
Supporting Children's Numeracy Competencies and Families' HNE: Exploring the Role of Apps and Digital Parent Information in STEM vs. Non-STEM Families
European Journal of Psychology of Education, v40 n2 Article 53 2025
Early numeracy competencies are of great importance for children's competency development. Here, early digital intervention approaches offer the potential to support all children and their families. We investigated whether the provision of specific numeracy learning apps and parent information about children's numeracy development improves both, children's numeracy competencies and the quality of families' home numeracy environment (HNE) while considering the potential impact of parental (STEM) occupation. Children's numeracy competencies were measured twice in two cohorts (N[subscript 1] = 190 children; M[subscript 1age] = 63.6 months; SD[subscript 1] = 4.4; N[subscript 2] = 310 children; M[subscript 2age] = 59.4 months; SD[subscript 2] = 3.9) with a six-month interval between t1 and t2. Parents were surveyed about the family characteristics and the HNE. Families in the numeracy intervention group (N[subscript total] = 151) received tablet computers with specific numeracy learning apps and parent information. No significant intervention effect on the quality of the HNE was found. However, children from intervention families showed significantly greater numeracy competency gains, even when considering child and family characteristics and independent of parental occupations. Consequently, high-quality learning apps can support the development of children's numeracy competencies already at preschool age. Further ideas on how to reach families and enhance the HNE are discussed.
Descriptors: Toddlers, Preschool Children, Parents, Parents as Teachers, Numeracy, Educational Attainment, Parent Background, Tablet Computers, Family Characteristics, Family Involvement, Family School Relationship, STEM Careers, Digital Literacy, Child Development, Mathematics Achievement, Parent Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Department of Psychology, Munich, Germany; 2University of Nottingham, School of Psychology, Nottingham, UK; 3University of Vienna, Department of Education, Vienna, Austria