THE SEQUENCE OF DEVELOPMENT OF SOME EARLY MATHEMATICS BEHAVIORS

Abstract

WANG, )MARGARET C.; RESNICK, LAUREN B.; and BOOZER, ROBERT F. The Sequence of Development of Some Early Mathematics Behaviors. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1971, 42, 1767-1778. Kindergarten Ss were administered a battery of tests, each assessing ability to perform a specific task involving counting, use of numerals, or comparison of set size. The test scores were subjected to scalogram analyses in order to test hypotheses concerning sequences of acquisition of these behaviors. Results suggested: (a) a reliable sequence of skills in using numerals; (b) the dependence of learning numerals upon prior acquisition of counting skills for sets of the size represented; (c) acquisition of numeral reading for small sets before learning to count larger sets; and (d) the independence of counting and 1-to-1 correspondence operations in young children. The implications of these findings for designing an introductory mathematics curriculum are discussed.