Abstract
A vast amount of research indicates that language and mathematical abilities of young children are associated. Many of these studies operationalized language abilities using tests assessing general vocabulary knowledge. However, recent research also indicates that vocabulary knowledge that is specific for mathematics might contribute to children's mathematical abilities, above and beyond general vocabulary knowledge. In the present study, we investigated whether this predictability extends to the area of probabilistic reasoning, particularly at a young age. To test the hypothesis that vocabulary knowledge (be it general or more specific) predicts children's probabilistic reasoning abilities, data were collected from 350 children when they attended third year of preschool and first grade of elementary school. Regression analyses showed that both general vocabulary knowledge and specific probabilistic vocabulary knowledge uniquely contributed to first grader's probabilistic reasoning abilities. These findings extended conclusions of previous research to the domain of probabilistic reasoning: Also in this domain, vocabulary knowledge is important for mathematical abilities. Results furthermore suggest that probabilistic reasoning has its own specific language demands.
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