Nonsymbolic Exact Subtraction in Early Elementary School

• In Event: Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: Student Cognition, Attitudes, and Learning in Math

Abstract

Children can do exact, nonsymbolic (with dots or objects) arithmetic before they
begin formal math instruction. To evaluate the development and impact of this ability,
children in kindergarten through 3rd grade participated in cross-sectional and longitudinal
investigations of nonsymbolic exact subtraction. In the beginning of the school year only
the kindergarteners were dramatically impacted by increases in set size. After one school-
year of formal instruction kindergartners showed rapid improvement in exact subtraction
ability, suggesting that exact subtraction is an enculturated skill. Additionally
nonsymbolic subtraction skills predicted symbolic math abilities. Nonsymboilc exact
arithmetic may form the foundation of later math achievement.

Authors

• Liane Moneta, Vanderbilt University

• Bruce McCandliss, Vanderbilt University