Journal of Numerical Cognition· 2026Q1
Effect of socioeconomic environment on understanding and producing mathematical vocabulary in preschool children
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- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Preschoolers from disadvantaged neighborhoods (REP+ schools) understood and produced fewer French mathematical terms than peers in regular schools, regardless of age (3-6 years).
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Key points
- 306 French children aged 3-6 were assessed on understanding and production of mathematical vocabulary.
- Children from disadvantaged REP+ schools performed worse than those from regular schools.
- The socioeconomic gap in mathematical vocabulary was observed across all preschool grade levels (3-4, 4-5, 5-6 years).
- Government priority education policies in REP+ schools did not eliminate the impact of social inequalities on math vocabulary.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
We investigated the development of mathematical vocabulary understanding in young French children aged 3 to 6 years old as a function of the socioeconomic environment. A total of 306 French children were administered two tasks, respectively assessing their understanding and production of French mathematical vocabulary. The results showed differences in understanding and production of mathematical vocabulary between children in preschool/kindergarten Grade Levels 1 (3-4 yo), 2 (4-5 yo), and 3 (5-6 yo). Children from REP+ (“Réseau d’Education Prioritaire”) schools (that concerned neighborhoods or isolated sectors with the greatest concentrations of social difficulties) understood and produced less numerous mathematical terms than those from regular schools, whatever the grade level. Theoretical and practical contributions for teaching are discussed. Despite the measures as a priority education policy organized by the government in REP+ schools, the school fails to reduce the impact of social inequalities on mathematical vocabulary. Efficient intervention is therefore needed.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Journal of Numerical Cognition, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Statistics and Probability
Statistics and ProbabilityMathematics