A Longitudinal Study Revisiting the Notion of Early Number Sense: Algebraic Arithmetic AS a Catalyst for Number Sense Development
Abstract
The aim of this study was to propose a new conceptualization of early number sense. Six-year-old students’ (n = 204) number sense was tracked from the beginning of Grade 1 through the beginning of Grade 2. Data analysis suggested that elementary arithmetic, conventional arithmetic, and algebraic arithmetic contributed to the latent construct early number sense, and the invariance of the model over time was validated empirically. Algebraic arithmetic represents the dimension of early number sense that moves beyond conventional arithmetic and encompasses an abstract understanding of the relations between numbers. A parallel process growth model showed that the three components of number sense adopt a linear growth rate. A structural model showed that the growth rate of the algebraic arithmetic component has a direct effect on the growth rate of conventional arithmetic, and subsequently the growth rate of conventional arithmetic predicts the growth rate of elementary arithmetic.
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All of these are components of number sense considering [2]'s definition.
“All of these are components of number sense considering [2]'s definition.”
From Third Grade Students’ Use of Relational Thinking (2021) · cites this paper as [2]
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Third Grade Students’ Use of Relational Thinking
Molina, M., & Castro, E. (2021) · Mathematics · doi:10.3390/math9020187 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
- Authors
- Pittalis, M., Pitta-Pantazi, D., & Christou, C.
- Affiliations
- University of Cyprus (CY)
- Department of Educational Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Corresponding author
- Pittalis, Marios
- Venue
- Mathematical Thinking and Learning
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2018-07-03
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 222-247
- ISSN
- 1098-6065 (ISSN-L)
- 1532-7833
- OpenAlex
- W2848775951
- Cited by
- 18
- References
- 88
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 1.25
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Mathematical Thinking and Learning (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Statistics and Probability › Cognitive and developmental aspects of mathematical skills
- Social Sciences › Education › Mathematics Education and Teaching Techniques
- Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Applied Mathematics › Mathematics Education and Pedagogy
- Keywords
- elementary arithmetic, number sense development, longitudinal development, numerical relations, structural equation modeling, measurement invariance
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