Relación entre las experiencias numéricas en el hogar y el desempeño numérico de los niños de primer año de Básica de la ciudad de Cuenca

Abstract

Children´s learning of numerical skills at early ages is crucial as it influences in their later mathematical performance throughout formal schooling, improving logical reasoning both in mathematics and in areas of knowledge. For this reason children need a solid mathematical knowledge in their first years of life. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between children´s home numerical experiences and their numerical performance. In order to identify the children´s home numerical experiences, we used a home numeracy parent´s questionnaire that has been used in prior studies. Children´s numerical performance was evaluated via the Test of Early Number and Arithmetic (TENA) Participants were 177 children attending first year of basic education coming from nine schools of Cuenca. The mean age of the participants was 5 years 3 months. The results indicated that there was a positive correlation between children´s numerical performance and their home experiences in forward and backward counting, learning of simple sums as well as their parent´s attitudes towards mathematics.