{"title":"The effects of language instruction on math development","authors":"Daniel R. Espinas, Lynn S. Fuchs","doi":"10.1111/cdep.12444","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>How does language shape mathematical development? In this article, we consider this question by reviewing findings from cross-sectional and longitudinal research. In this literature, we find that differences in the structures of languages and individual variations in language ability are associated with mathematical performance in both obvious and unexpected ways. We then consider the causal nature of these relations, with a focus on experimental studies that have tested the effects of language instruction on mathematical outcomes. Findings from this work show that certain forms of language instruction meaningfully improve performance in several mathematical domains, providing strong evidence of a linguistic pathway in mathematical development. However, much additional research is needed to understand how language instruction may be integrated optimally into math education. We conclude with recommendations for research.</p>","PeriodicalId":150,"journal":{"name":"Child Development Perspectives","volume":"16 2","pages":"69-75"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1000,"publicationDate":"2022-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/cdep.12444","citationCount":"6","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Child Development Perspectives","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cdep.12444","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"PSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENTAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 6
Abstract
How does language shape mathematical development? In this article, we consider this question by reviewing findings from cross-sectional and longitudinal research. In this literature, we find that differences in the structures of languages and individual variations in language ability are associated with mathematical performance in both obvious and unexpected ways. We then consider the causal nature of these relations, with a focus on experimental studies that have tested the effects of language instruction on mathematical outcomes. Findings from this work show that certain forms of language instruction meaningfully improve performance in several mathematical domains, providing strong evidence of a linguistic pathway in mathematical development. However, much additional research is needed to understand how language instruction may be integrated optimally into math education. We conclude with recommendations for research.
期刊介绍:
Child Development Perspectives" mission is to provide accessible, synthetic reports that summarize emerging trends or conclusions within various domains of developmental research, and to encourage multidisciplinary and international dialogue on a variety of topics in the developmental sciences. Articles in the journal will include reviews, commentary, and groups of papers on a targeted issue. Manuscripts presenting new empirical data are not appropriate for this journal. Articles will be obtained through two sources: author-initiated submissions and invited articles or commentary. Potential contributors who have ideas about a set of three or four papers written from very different perspectives may contact the editor with their ideas for feedback.