The aim of this paper is to investigate the ways in which the number line can function in solving mathematical tasks by first graders (6 year olds). The main research question was whether the number line functioned as an auxiliary means or as an obstacle for these students. Through analysis of the 32 students' answers it appears that the number…

Addresses the question of the impact of native educational institutions on individual cognitive skills. Examines the Liberian tailor apprenticeship system, and focuses upon tailors' arithmetic skills. Concludes that the inductive teaching learning techniques of apprenticeship training do not prevent the formation of general problem solving…

Six experiments with 42 kindergartners, 190 first graders, and 15 second graders in Germany investigated why arithmetic word problems with an unknown reference set are more difficult for children than are problems with an unknown compare set. Lack of access to flexible language use makes these problems so difficult. (SLD)