Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
acceptedVersion
Publication Date
1-2018
Abstract
Although little is known about the link between bilingualism and mathematical achievement in children, the established link between executive functions (EFs) and mathematical achievement suggests that bilingualism—which has been shown to affect EFs—may positively predict math skills. Drawing on two large-scale datasets collected in the US—the Multi-State Study of Pre-Kindergarten and the State-Wide Early Education Programs (Study 1) and the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (Study 2)—we examined the relation between bilingualism and mathematical achievement among preschoolers, kindergarteners, and first-grade students (ages 4–7), while controlling for key covariates of (a) demographic variables, such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status; and (b) language proficiency in the language used for instruction (English). In two studies, we found that bilingualism positively predicted teacher-rated mathematical reasoning, emergent numeracy skills, and test scores on either mathematical word problems or standardized mathematical assessments. Moreover, the positive relation between bilingualism and mathematical competence persisted through the transition period from kindergarten to first grade. Our results suggest that bilingualism is favorable for children's mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
Keywords
Bilingualism, Emergent numeracy, Mathematical reasoning, Math achievement, Standardized mathematical assessment
Discipline
Applied Behavior Analysis | Multicultural Psychology | Psychology
Research Areas
Psychology
Publication
Learning and Individual Differences
Volume
61
First Page
216
Last Page
227
ISSN
1041-6080
Identifier
10.1016/j.lindif.2017.12.007
Publisher
Elsevier
Citation
HARTANTO, Andree, YANG, Hwajin, & YANG, Sujin.(2018). Bilingualism positively predicts mathematical competence: Evidence from two large-scale studies. Learning and Individual Differences, 61, 216-227.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/2735
Copyright Owner and License
Authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2017.12.007