The Role of Parental Math Skills and Affect on Children's Numeracy and Spatial Math Skills

• In Event: Learning Environments and Academic Growth in Diverse Contexts

Abstract

Early math skills are important predictors of later academic success, but how parent math skills and math affect influence preschoolers’ numeracy and spatial skills remains unclear. This study examined contributions of parent math skills and affect to preschoolers’ math development using data from 273 parent–child dyads followed from ages 4 to 5. At age 4, parents completed questionnaires about affect and standardized assessments. Children were administered numeracy and spatial tasks at ages 4 and 5. Controlling for prior math ability and demographic covariates, parent math skills significantly predicted children’s numeracy and spatial skills at age 5. Parent affect was not significantly associated with child skills. Results highlight intergenerational skill transmission and the importance of supporting parent math competence.

Authors

• Jazelle Pilato, University of Pittsburgh

• Nandini Rastogi, University of Pittsburgh

• Joei Angelina Camarote, University of Pittsburgh

• Nathaniel Philip Pettit, University of Pittsburgh

• Elizabeth Votruba-Drzal, University of Pittsburgh

• Melissa Libertus, University of Pittsburgh

• Heather J. Bachman, University of Pittsburgh