title: How space-number associations may be created in preliterate children: six distinct mechanisms.
abstract: The directionality of space-number association (SNA) is shaped by cultural experiences. It usually follows the culturally dominant reading direction. Smaller numbers are generally associated with the starting side for reading (left side in Western cultures), while larger numbers are associated with the right endpoint side. However, SNAs consistent with cultural reading directions are present before children can actually read and write. Therefore, these SNAs cannot only be shaped by the direction of children's own reading/writing behavior. We propose six distinct processes - one biological and five cultural/educational - underlying directional SNAs before formal reading acquisition: (i) Brain lateralization, (ii) Monitoring adult reading behavior, (iii) Pretend reading and writing, and rudimentary reading and writing skills, (iv) Dominant attentional directional preferences in a society, not directly related to reading direction, (v) Direct spatial-numerical learning, (vi) Other spatial-directional processes independent of reading direction. In this mini-review, we will differentiate between these processes, elaborate when in development they might emerge, discuss how they may create the SNAs observed in preliterate children and propose how they can be studied in the future.
authors: Department of Psychology, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen Tuebingen, Germany ; Leibniz Institute for Knowledge Media, Knowledge Media Research Center, Tuebingen Germany ; LEAD Graduate School, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen Tuebingen ,Germany.
authors: Hans-Christoph
authors: HC
authors: Nuerk
authors: Leibniz Institute for Knowledge Media, Knowledge Media Research Center, Tuebingen Germany ; Department of Psychology, University of Warsaw Warsaw, Poland.
authors: Katarzyna
authors: K
authors: Patro
authors: Department of Psychology, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen Tuebingen, Germany ; Leibniz Institute for Knowledge Media, Knowledge Media Research Center, Tuebingen Germany ; LEAD Graduate School, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen Tuebingen ,Germany.
authors: Ulrike
authors: U
authors: Cress
authors: Department of Psychology, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen Tuebingen, Germany.
authors: Ulrike
authors: U
authors: Schild
authors: Department of Psychology, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen Tuebingen, Germany.
authors: Claudia K
authors: CK
authors: Friedrich
authors: Department of Psychology, University of York York, UK.
authors: Silke M
authors: SM
authors: Göbel
keywords: SNARC; literacy; number acquisition; numerical development; preliteracy; reading acquisition; space-number associations