Le vocabulaire mathématique de l’enfant : revue de littérature systématique et synthèse narrative

There is a strong link between the development of spoken language in children and the development of their mathematical skills. The objective of the current research is to identify studies and synthesize the scientific knowledge acquired to date on mathematical vocabulary in children. The research method used was a systematic literature review. The results are presented in a narrative synthesis. This review showed that different terminologies are identified in the articles. Mathematical vocabulary is most often assessed in comprehension only, and it is a strong predictor of many mathematical and cognitive skills. The review points out also that children with mathematics learning difficulties have difficulties with mathematical vocabulary. Furthermore, the present synthesis highlights the interest of explicit learning of mathematical vocabulary in children between the ages of 6 and 11 years, particularly through shared reading for the youngest. Finally, no study has investigated mathematical vocabulary in French.