Understanding the Multifaceted Concept of Number Sense

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Number sense is one of the most important predictors of later mathematical skill (Jo Van Hoof et al., 2017; Geary, Bailey, & Hoard, 2009; Jordan, Glutting, Ramineni, & Watkins, 2010; Mazzocco, Feigenson, & Halberda, 2011). It is used as an umbrella term that includes several different abilities. The term “number sense” not only includes the ability to subitize and count but to compare and estimate quantities, to use derived fact strategy, to link abstract number knowledge with real world quantities, and to switch between different numerical formats based on context and purpose (Berch, 2005; Gersten, Jordan, & Flojo, 2005; Jordan et al., 2007). For example, a study conducted by Dowker (1998) exemplified the different components of number sense …show more content…

Subitizing derives from the latin word “sudden” and it is acknowledged in five or six tenths of a second (Dehaene, 1997). On the contrary, larger numbers can only be approximated or estimated. Our perception of large numbers relies on the density of items, the area they occupy, and the regularity of their distribution in the space (Dehaene, 1997). For example, according to the study called “solitaire illusion” conducted by Mr. & Mrs.Frith (1972), it is shown that our perceptual system misleads us to the conclusion that there are more white dots than black dots due to tighter grouping of white ones. Thus, the latter system of the number sense is known as Approximate Number System (Liberta, Feigenson, & Halberda, 2011). Approximate Number System (ANS) refers to the ability to approximately represent numbers without verbal counting or the involvement of numerical symbols (He et al., 2016). The primitive number sense ability is also shown to improve with ANS in all age groups (Dehaene, 1997; Feigenson, Dehaene & Spelke, 2004;Libertus & Brannon, …show more content…

Significant correlations between ANS and math ability are even more pronounced when recent meta-analysis are examined (Chen & Li, 2014; Fazio, Bailey, Thompson, & Siegler, 2014; Schneider et al., 2016). In addition, the difference in ANS acuity of typically developing children and children with dyscalculia also supports this notion (Bugden & Ansari, 2015; Piazza et al., 2010; Mazzocco et al.,2011). However, there are also conflicting findings (Göbel, Watson, Lervåg, & Hulme, 2014; Holloway & Ansari, 2009; Kolkman, Kroesbergen, & Leseman, 2013; Lonnemann, Linkersdörfer, Hasselhorn, & Lindberg, 2011; Sasanguie, De Smedt, Defever, & Reynvoet, 2012; Sasanguie, van den Bussche, & Reynvoet, 2012; Soltész, Szucs, & Szucs,

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