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Artículos

Vol. 24 No. 3 (2021): November

DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY NUMERICAL ABILITY: CONTRIBUTIONS FROM COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY TO INITIAL MATHEMATICS EDUCATION

DOI
https://doi.org/10.12802/relime.21.2433
Submitted
November 8, 2022
Published
2021-11-30

Abstract

Numerical ability develops in the early years and is at the foundation of later math learning, as well as academic and job success in adulthood. Initial mathematics education has traditionally focused on the teaching of general processes, seeking the development of logical-mathematical thinking and mathematical language. This article seeks to reflect on the importance of training cognitive processes of the specific numerical domain, based on the findings in cognitive psychology. Thus, in this work the latest empirical evidence is reviewed, based on recent studies with behavioral approaches in numerical cognition, focused on the development of early numerical skills. To do this, the main milestones of numerical development are reviewed in relation to the acquisition of later arithmetic, taking into account the intrinsic and extrinsic influences on the individual during the early years.

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