Longitudinal relationship between number line estimation and other mathematical abilities in Chinese preschool children

Many cross-sectional studies have shown that number line estima-tion is associated with other mathematical skills, but there has been limited longitudinal research. To systematically examine such associations longitudinally at the earliest stage of mathematical learning, the current study tested 40 Chinese preschoolers (mean age = 4.97 years, SD = 0.18) and followed them up 8 months later. For both waves of data collection, children were administered six tasks: number line estimation, dot counting, comparison of two dot arrays, comparison of triple dot arrays, symbolic number com-parison, and simple addition. Results of two-wave cross-lagged panel analysis showed that (a) dot counting and non-symbolic numerical comparison at Time 1 had significant longitudinal asso-ciations with number line estimation at Time 2, (b) number line estimation had bidirectional associations with symbolic number comparison, and (c) number line estimation at Time 1 had a mar-ginally significant longitudinal association with simple addition at Time 2. These results extend the small but accumulating litera-ture on the longitudinal relations between number line estimation and other mathematical skills and specify the important role of number line estimation in the early development of mathematical skills.(c) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study longitudinally examined the associations between number line estimation and other mathematical skills in Chinese preschoolers. The results showed significant longitudinal associations between dot counting and non-symbolic numerical comparison with number line estimation, bidirectional associations between number line estimation and symbolic number comparison, and a marginally significant longitudinal association between number line estimation and simple addition. These findings contribute to the understanding of the early development of mathematical skills and the importance of number line estimation.