title: Number processing and calculation in Brazilian children aged 7-12 years.
abstract: Numerical cognition is based on two components - number processing and calculation. Its development is influenced by biological, cognitive, educational, and cultural factors. The objectives of the present study were to: i) assess number processing and calculation in Brazilian children aged 7-12 years from public schools using the Zareki-R (Battery of neuropsychological tests for number processing and calculation in children, Revised; von Aster & Dellatolas, 2006) in order to obtain normative data for Portuguese speakers; ii) identify how environment, age, and gender influences the development of these mathematical skills; iii) investigate the construct validity of the Zareki-R by the contrast with the Arithmetic subtest of WISC-III. The sample included 172 children, both genders, divided in two groups: urban (N = 119) and rural (N = 53) assessed by the Zareki-R. Rural children presented lower scores in one aspect of number processing; children aged 7-8 years demonstrated an inferior global score than older; boys presented a superior performance in both number processing and calculation. Construct validity of Zareki-R was demonstrated by high to moderate correlations with Arithmetic subtest of WISC-III. The Zareki-R therefore is a suitable instrument to assess the development of mathematical skills, which is influenced by factors such as environment, age, and gender.
authors: Universidade Estadual Paulista, Laboratório de Neuropsicologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia, Departamento de Psicologia Experimental e do Trabalho, SP, Brazil. flaviahs@assis.unesp.br
authors: Santos Flávia Heloisa
authors: SF
authors: Dos
authors: Paulo Adilson
authors: PA
authors: Da Silva
authors: Fabiana Silva
authors: FS
authors: Ribeiro
authors: Ana Luiza Ribeiro Pereira
authors: AL
authors: Dias
authors: Michele Cândida
authors: MC
authors: Frigério
authors: Georges
authors: G
authors: Dellatolas
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: von Aster
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D014505:Urban Population