title: The contribution of general cognitive abilities and approximate number system to early mathematics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Math learning is a complex process that entails a wide range of cognitive abilities to be fulfilled. There is sufficient evidence that both general and specific cognitive skills assume a fundamental role, despite the absence of shared consensus about the relative extent of their involvement. Moreover, regarding general abilities, there is no agreement about the recruitment of the different memory components or of intelligence. In relation to specific factors, great debate subsists regarding the role of the approximate number system (ANS).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Starting from these considerations, we wanted to conduct a wide assessment of memory components and ANS, by controlling for the effects associated with intelligence and also exploring possible relationships between all precursors.
  
  
  METHODS
  To achieve this purpose, a sample of 157 children was tested at both beginning and end of their Grade 1. Both general (memory and intelligence) and specific (ANS) precursors were evaluated by a wide battery of tests and put in relation to concurrent and subsequent math skills. Memory was explored in passive and active aspects involving both verbal and visuo-spatial components.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Path analysis results demonstrated that memory, and especially the more active processes, and intelligence were the strongest precursors in both assessment times. ANS had a milder role which lost significance by the end of the school year. Memory and ANS seemed to influence early mathematics almost independently.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both general and specific precursors seemed to have a crucial role in early math competences, despite the lower involvement of ANS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Chiara
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Passolunghi
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cargnelutti
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pastore
mesh_terms: D001076:Aptitude; D001077:Aptitude Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics / Q000193:education*; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D011340:Problem Solving; D011594:Psychometrics; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D065854:Spatial Navigation; D014706:Verbal Learning
keywords: approximate number system; early mathematics; mathematics learning precursors; working memory