TY - JOUR A1 - Kucian, Karin A1 - Zuber, Isabelle A1 - Kohn, Juliane A1 - Poltz, Nadine A1 - Wyschkon, Anne A1 - Esser, Günter A1 - von Aster, Michael G. T1 - Relation Between Mathematical Performance, Math Anxiety, and Affective Priming in Children With and Without Developmental Dyscalculia JF - Frontiers in psychology N2 - Many children show negative emotions related to mathematics and some even develop mathematics anxiety. The present study focused on the relation between negative emotions and arithmetical performance in children with and without developmental dyscalculia (DD) using an affective priming task. Previous findings suggested that arithmetic performance is influenced if an affective prime precedes the presentation of an arithmetic problem. In children with DD specifically, responses to arithmetic operations are supposed to be facilitated by both negative and mathematics-related primes (= negative math priming effect). We investigated mathematical performance, math anxiety, and the domain-general abilities of 172 primary school children (76 with DD and 96 controls). All participants also underwent an affective priming task which consisted of the decision whether a simple arithmetic operation (addition or subtraction) that was preceded by a prime (positive/negative/neutral or mathematics-related) was true or false. Our findings did not reveal a negative math priming effect in children with DD. Furthermore, when considering accuracy levels, gender, or math anxiety, the negative math priming effect could not be replicated. However, children with DD showed more math anxiety when explicitly assessed by a specific math anxiety interview and showed lower mathematical performance compared to controls. Moreover, math anxiety was equally present in boys and girls, even in the earliest stages of schooling, and interfered negatively with performance. In conclusion, mathematics is often associated with negative emotions that can be manifested in specific math anxiety, particularly in children with DD. Importantly, present findings suggest that in the assessed age group, it is more reliable to judge math anxiety and investigate its effects on mathematical performance explicitly by adequate questionnaires than by an affective math priming task. KW - developmental dyscalculia KW - mathematics KW - affective priming KW - calculation KW - arithmetic KW - anxiety KW - gender KW - children Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00263 SN - 1664-1078 VL - 9 PB - Frontiers Research Foundation CY - Lausanne ER - TY - GEN A1 - Kucian, Karin A1 - Zuber, Isabelle A1 - Kohn, Juliane A1 - Poltz, Nadine A1 - Wyschkon, Anne A1 - Esser, Günter A1 - von Aster, Michael G. T1 - Relation between mathematical performance, math anxiety, and affective priming in children with and without developmental dyscalculia T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Many children show negative emotions related to mathematics and some even develop mathematics anxiety. The present study focused on the relation between negative emotions and arithmetical performance in children with and without developmental dyscalculia (DD) using an affective priming task. Previous findings suggested that arithmetic performance is influenced if an affective prime precedes the presentation of an arithmetic problem. In children with DD specifically, responses to arithmetic operations are supposed to be facilitated by both negative and mathematics-related primes (= negative math priming effect). We investigated mathematical performance, math anxiety, and the domain-general abilities of 172 primary school children (76 with DD and 96 controls). All participants also underwent an affective priming task which consisted of the decision whether a simple arithmetic operation (addition or subtraction) that was preceded by a prime (positive/negative/neutral or mathematics-related) was true or false. Our findings did not reveal a negative math priming effect in children with DD. Furthermore, when considering accuracy levels, gender, or math anxiety, the negative math priming effect could not be replicated. However, children with DD showed more math anxiety when explicitly assessed by a specific math anxiety interview and showed lower mathematical performance compared to controls. Moreover, math anxiety was equally present in boys and girls, even in the earliest stages of schooling, and interfered negatively with performance. In conclusion, mathematics is often associated with negative emotions that can be manifested in specific math anxiety, particularly in children with DD. Importantly, present findings suggest that in the assessed age group, it is more reliable to judge math anxiety and investigate its effects on mathematical performance explicitly by adequate questionnaires than by an affective math priming task. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe - 684 KW - developmental dyscalculia KW - mathematics KW - affective priming KW - calculation KW - arithmetic KW - anxiety KW - gender KW - children Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-460671 SN - 1866-8364 IS - 684 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Kohn, Juliane A1 - Rauscher, Larissa A1 - Kucian, Karin A1 - Käser, Tanja A1 - Wyschkon, Anne A1 - Esser, Günter A1 - von Aster, Michael G. T1 - Efficacy of a Computer-Based Learning Program in Children With Developmental Dyscalculia BT - What Influences Individual Responsiveness? T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - This study presents the evaluation of a computer-based learning program for children with developmental dyscalculia and focuses on factors affecting individual responsiveness. The adaptive training program Calcularis 2.0 has been developed according to current neuro-cognitive theory of numerical cognition. It aims to automatize number representations, supports the formation and access to the mental number line and trains arithmetic operations as well as arithmetic fact knowledge in expanding number ranges. Sixty-seven children with developmental dyscalculia from second to fifth grade (mean age 8.96 years) were randomly assigned to one of two groups (Calcularis group, waiting control group). Training duration comprised a minimum of 42 training sessions à 20 min within a maximum period of 13 weeks. Compared to the waiting control group, children of the Calcularis group demonstrated a higher benefit in arithmetic operations and number line estimation. These improvements were shown to be stable after a 3-months post training interval. In addition, this study examines which predictors accounted for training improvements. Results indicate that this self-directed training was especially beneficial for children with low math anxiety scores and without an additional reading and/or spelling disorder. In conclusion, Calcularis 2.0 supports children with developmental dyscalculia to improve their arithmetical abilities and their mental number line representation. However, it is relevant to further adapt the setting to the individual circumstances. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe - 650 KW - developmental dyscalculia KW - mathematics instruction KW - computer-based training KW - intelligent tutoring system (ITS) KW - numerical development KW - evaluative study KW - primary school Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-474159 SN - 1866-8364 IS - 650 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Schulz, Franziska A1 - Wyschkon, Anne A1 - Gallit, Finja Sunnyi A1 - Poltz, Nadine A1 - Moraske, Svenja A1 - Kucian, Karin A1 - von Aster, Michael G. A1 - Esser, Günter T1 - Rechenprobleme von Grundschulkindern BT - Persistenz und Schulerfolg nach fünf Jahren T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Fragestellung: Ziel war die Untersuchung des Verlaufs von Kindern mit Rechenstörungen bzw. Rechenschwächen. Neben der Persistenz wurden Auswirkungen von Rechenproblemen auf künftige Rechenleistungen sowie den Schulerfolg geprüft. Methodik: Für 2909 Schüler der 2. bis 5. Klasse liegen die Resultate standardisierter Rechen- und Intelligenztests vor. Ein Teil dieser Kinder ist nach 37 und 68 Mona-ten erneut untersucht worden. Ergebnisse: Die Prävalenz von Rechenstörungen betrug 1.4 %, Rechenschwächen traten bei 11.2 % auf. Rechen-probleme zeigten eine mittlere bis hohe Persistenz. Schüler mit Rechenschwäche blieben im Rechnen gut eine Standardabweichung hinter durchschnittlich und ca. eine halbe Standardabweichung hinter unterdurchschnittlich intelligenten Kontrollkindern zurück. Der allgemeine Schulerfolg rechenschwacher Probanden (definiert über Mathematiknote, Deutschnote und Schultyp) ähnelte dem der unterdurchschnittlich intelligenten Kontrollgruppe und blieb hinter dem Schulerfolg durchschnittlich intelligenter Kontrollkinder zurück. Eingangs ältere Probanden mit Rechenproblemen (4. bis 5. Klasse) wiesen eine schlechtere Prognose auf als Kinder, die zu Beginn die 2. oder 3. Klasse besuchten. Schluss-folgerungen: Rechenprobleme stellen ein ernsthaftes Entwicklungsrisiko dar. Längsschnittuntersuchungen, die Kinder mit streng definierter Rechenstörung bis ins Erwachsenenalter begleiten und Prädiktoren für unterschiedlich erfolgreiche Verläufe ermitteln, sind dringend notwendig. N2 - Objective: The present study examines the 5 years course of mathematics learning disabilities (MLD) and poor mathematics achieve-ment in children from primary to secondary schools. The study investigates the persistence and the impact of mathematical difficulties on the later mathematics performance and school-related success. Method: First, 2909 second to fifth graders were examined with standardized tests in mathematical skills and intelligence. A part of these children was re-examined after 37 and after 68 months. Results: A prevalence of 1.4 % for MLD and 11.2 % for poor mathematics achievement was determined. Mathematical difficulties showed medium to high persistence. Later performance of children with poor mathematics achievement was one standard deviation below a control group without mathematical difficul-ties with average intelligence and 0.5 standard deviations below a group of children with intellectual deficits. School-related success was a composite score of the mathematics grade, the language grade and school type. Children with poor mathematics achievement showed similar school-related success to children with intellectual deficits. Furthermore, they scored significant lower than children without mathematical difficulties and average intelligence. Older children with mathematical difficulties (4th to 5th grade) showed a poorer prognosis than children attending grade 2 or 3. Conclusion: Poor mathematics achievement is a considerable developmental risk. Large longitudinal studies into adult-hood with strict MLD definition are needed to evaluate predictors of successful developmental courses. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe - 634 KW - Rechenstörungen KW - Stabilität KW - Verlauf KW - Längsschnittstudie KW - Schulerfolg Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-441388 SN - 1866-8364 IS - 634 SP - 67 EP - 80 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Gallit, Finja A1 - Wyschkon, Anne A1 - Poltz, Nadine A1 - Moraske, Svenja A1 - Kucian, Karin A1 - von Aster, Michael G. A1 - Esser, Günter T1 - Henne oder Ei BT - Reziprozität mathematischer Vorläufer und Vorhersage des Rechnens T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Fragestellung: Ziel war die Untersuchung der Entwicklung und wechselseitigen Beziehung von Zahlen- und Mengenvorwissen (ZMW), Arbeitsgedächtnis (AG) und Intelligenz sowie deren Vorhersagekraft für die Rechenleistung in der ersten Klasse. Methodik: 1897 Kindergartenkinder nahmen an dieser Studie teil. Ein Teil dieser Kinder wurde 9 Monate später und erneut in der ersten Klasse untersucht. Ergebnisse: Während des Kindergartenjahres verbesserten sich die Kinder in allen untersuchten Leistungen. Reziproke Zusammenhänge zwischen den drei erhobenen Vorläuferfähigkeiten konnten nachgewiesen werden. Das ZMW erwies sich als guter Prädiktor für die AG- und Intelligenzleistung. Bei der Überprüfung der Vorhersage des Rechnens erwies sich das ZMW als bester Prädiktor der späteren Rechenleistung. Erwartungsgemäß zeigten die zu t1 erfassten allgemein-kognitiven Leistungen indirekte Effekte über das ZMW auf die Rechenleistung. Die Intelligenz und das AG zu t2 konnten direkt zur Vorhersage des Rechnens in der ersten Klasse beitragen. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen, dass das AG und die Intelligenz zwar an dem Aufbau des ZMW beteiligt sind, aber vor allem selbst durch dieses vorhergesagt werden. Die Daten sprechen dafür das Potenzial des ZMWs in Trainingsprogrammen zu nutzen, durch dessen Förderung auch intellektuelle und Gedächtnisleistungen zunehmen können, die allesamt die schulische Rechenleistung positiv beeinflussen. N2 - Objective: The present study examines the development and reciprocal relation between specific (basic quantity-number competen-cies [QNC]) and general mathematical precursor skills (working memory [WM] and intelligence), and their predictive value for mathematics achievement in the first grade. Methods: 1897 children in kindergarten participated in the present study. These children were retested 9 month later and during the first year of primary school. Cross-lagged panel analysis was used to investigate the longitudinal reciprocal relations be-tween the specific and general mathematical precursor skills in kindergarten. Results: During the last year of kindergarten children showed improvements in all applied measures. Reciprocal relations between the three mathematical precursor skills were found. Basic QNC proved to be a good predictor of WM and intelligence. Results also emphasized basic QNC as the best predictor of mathematics achievement in first grade. As hypothesized, general mathematical precursors at t1 showed indirect effects via QNC on mathematics school achievement. Intelligence and WM at t2 contributed directly to mathematics school achievement. Conclusions: Results reveal that WM and intelligence predict growth in QNC, and furthermore are predicted by QNC themselves. The data emphasize the potential of QNC in training programs, as they might improve intel-lectual and WM performance, which have a positive impact on mathematics school achievement. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe - 632 KW - Zahlen- und Mengenvorwissen KW - Arbeitsgedächtnis KW - Intelligenz KW - Rechenleistung KW - Vorläuferfähigkeiten Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-441356 SN - 1866-8364 IS - 632 SP - 81 EP - 92 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Moraske, Svenja A1 - Wyschkon, Anne A1 - Poltz, Nadine A1 - Kucian, Karin A1 - Aster, Michael A1 - Esser, Günter T1 - LRS-Prävention bei Risikokindern BT - langfristige Effekte bis in die 3. Klasse T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Fragestellung: Ziel der Studie war die Überprüfung der Wirksamkeit einer vorschulischen Förderung der phonologischen Bewusstheit und der Buchstaben-Laut-Verknüpfung bei Kindern mit einem Risiko für die Entwicklung einer Lese-Rechtschreibstörung (LRS) unter Bedingungen, die sich am Alltag der Kindertagesstätten orientierten und somit auch bei einem breiten Einsatz des Programms eine relativ ökonomische Variante darstellen. Methodik: Die Risikokinder der Trainingsgruppe (n = 20) wurden über 11 Wochen mit den Programmen Hören, Lauschen, Lernen 1 und 2 (Küspert & Schneider, 2008; Plume & Schneider, 2004) von Erzieherinnen gefördert. Sie wurden einer nicht-geförderten Risiko-Kontrollgruppe (n = 43) hinsichtlich ihrer Lese- und Rechtschreibleistungen sowie der Häufigkeit von LRS von der 1. bis zur 3. Klasse gegenübergestellt. Dabei wurden neben den Daten regulär eingeschulter Kinder auch jene in die Analyse inkludiert, die vom Schulbesuch zurückgestellt wurden. Ergebnisse: Im 1. und 2. Grundschuljahr zeigten die trainierten Risikokinder im Lesen und Rechtschreiben einen mindestens tendenziellen Leistungsvorsprung gegenüber nicht-geförderten Risikokindern. Trainingseffekte zeigten sich ebenfalls in einer Reduktion der Anzahl von Kindern mit LRS bis Klasse 2, tendenziell auch in Klasse 3. Schlussfolgerung: Insgesamt sprechen die Befunde für die Wirksamkeit des Trainings in der primären Prävention von Lese-Rechtschreibschwierigkeiten bei Risikokindern unter alltagsnahen Bedingungen. N2 - Objective: The present study evaluates the long-term effects of a preschool training stimulating phonological awareness and letter-sound correspondence in children at risk for dyslexia under conditions tending more to the kindergarten routine than in the context of an intervention study with controlled conditions. Method: The children at risk for dyslexia of the experimental group (n = 20) were trained with Hören, Lauschen, Lernen 1 und 2 (Küspert & Schneider, 2008; Plume & Schneider, 2004) by their kindergarten teachers. They were compared with an untrained control group of children at risk (n = 43) with regard to their reading and spelling achievement and the percentage of dyslexia in 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades. For statistical analyses data of children with a regular and a postponed enrolment at primary school were used. Results: The preschool intervention indicated long-term effects in the 1st and 2nd grade: The trained children at risk tended to outperform the untrained children at risk in their average reading and spelling competences. Furthermore the percentage of children suffering from dyslexia was significantly lower in the training group compared to the control group. Conclusion: In summary, results indicate long-term efficacy of the preschool training and point to the potential of preventing children at risk to develop severe reading and writing problems. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe - 672 KW - Lese-Rechtschreibstörung KW - honologische Bewusstheit KW - Prävention KW - Risiko KW - Umschriebene Entwicklungsstörung KW - dyslexia KW - phonological awareness KW - prevention KW - children at risk KW - school-related developmental disorder Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-441426 SN - 1866-8364 IS - 672 SP - 171 EP - 183 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ehlert, Antje A1 - Poltz, Nadine A1 - Quandte, Sabine A1 - Kohn-Henkel, Juliane A1 - Kucian, Karin A1 - Aster, Michael von A1 - Esser, Günter T1 - Taking a closer look: The relationship between pre-school domain general cognition and school mathematics achievement when controlling for intelligence JF - Journal of Intelligence N2 - Intelligence, as well as working memory and attention, affect the acquisition of mathematical competencies. This paper aimed to examine the influence of working memory and attention when taking different mathematical skills into account as a function of children’s intellectual ability. Overall, intelligence, working memory, attention and numerical skills were assessed twice in 1868 German pre-school children (t1, t2) and again at 2nd grade (t3). We defined three intellectual ability groups based on the results of intellectual assessment at t1 and t2. Group comparisons revealed significant differences between the three intellectual ability groups. Over time, children with low intellectual ability showed the lowest achievement in domain-general and numerical and mathematical skills compared to children of average intellectual ability. The highest achievement on the aforementioned variables was found for children of high intellectual ability. Additionally, path modelling revealed that, depending on the intellectual ability, different models of varying complexity could be generated. These models differed with regard to the relevance of the predictors (t2) and the future mathematical skills (t3). Causes and conclusions of these findings are discussed. KW - intellectual ability KW - intelligence KW - pre-school KW - mathematical development KW - school mathematics KW - longitudinal KW - numerical skills KW - working memory KW - attention Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence10030070 SN - 2079-3200 VL - 10 SP - 1 EP - 23 PB - MDPI CY - Basel, Schweiz ET - 3 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kucian, Karin A1 - Kohn, Juliane A1 - Hannula-Sormunen, Minna M. A1 - Richtmann, Verena A1 - Grond, Ursin A1 - Käser, Tanja A1 - Esser, Günter A1 - von Aster, Michael G. T1 - Kinder mit Dyskalkulie fokussieren spontan weniger auf Anzahligkeit Y1 - 2012 ER - TY - INPR A1 - Kaufmann, Liane A1 - Mazzocco, Michele M. A1 - Dowker, Ann A1 - von Aster, Michael G. A1 - Goebel, Silke M. A1 - Grabner, Roland H. A1 - Henik, Avishai A1 - Jordan, Nancy C. A1 - Karmiloff-Smith, Annette D. A1 - Kucian, Karin A1 - Rubinsten, Orly A1 - Szucs, Denes A1 - Shalev, Ruth A1 - Nuerk, Hans-Christoph T1 - Dyscalculia from a developmental and differential perspective T2 - Frontiers in psychology Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00516 SN - 1664-1078 VL - 4 IS - 2 PB - Frontiers Research Foundation CY - Lausanne ER - TY - INPR A1 - Kucian, Karin A1 - Plangger, Fabienne A1 - O'Gorman, Ruth A1 - von Aster, Michael G. T1 - Operational momentum effect in children with and without developmental dyscalculia T2 - Frontiers in psychology KW - developmental dyscalculia KW - operational momentum KW - children KW - learning disability KW - numerical cognition KW - mental number line KW - symbolic calculation KW - attention Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00847 SN - 1664-1078 VL - 4 IS - 45 PB - Frontiers Research Foundation CY - Lausanne ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Käser, Tanja A1 - Baschera, Gian-Marco A1 - Kohn, Juliane A1 - Kucian, Karin A1 - Richtmann, Verena A1 - Grond, Ursina A1 - Gross, Markus A1 - von Aster, Michael G. T1 - Design and evaluation of the computer-based training program Calcularis for enhancing numerical cognition JF - Frontiers in psychology N2 - This article presents the design and a first pilot evaluation of the computer-based training program Calcularis for children with developmental dyscalculia (DD) or difficulties in learning mathematics. The program has been designed according to insights on the typical and atypical development of mathematical abilities. The learning process is supported through multimodal cues, which encode different properties of numbers. To offer optimal learning conditions, a user model completes the program and allows flexible adaptation to a child's individual learning and knowledge profile. Thirty-two children with difficulties in learning mathematics completed the 6-12-weeks computer training. The children played the game for 20 min per day for 5 days a week. The training effects were evaluated using neuropsychological tests. Generally, children benefited significantly from the training regarding number representation and arithmetic operations. Furthermore, children liked to play with the program and reported that the training improved their mathematical abilities. KW - learning KW - intervention KW - optimization KW - calculation KW - spatial representation KW - interactive learning environment Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00489 SN - 1664-1078 VL - 4 IS - 31 PB - Frontiers Research Foundation CY - Lausanne ER - TY - GEN A1 - Rauscher, Larissa A1 - Kohn, Juliane A1 - Käser, Tanja A1 - Mayer, Verena A1 - Kucian, Karin A1 - McCaskey, Ursina A1 - Esser, Günter A1 - von Aster, Michael G. T1 - Evaluation of a computer-based training program for enhancing arithmetic skills and spatial number representation in primary school children T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Calcularis is a computer-based training program which focuses on basic numerical skills, spatial representation of numbers and arithmetic operations. The program includes a user model allowing flexible adaptation to the child's individual knowledge and learning profile. The study design to evaluate the training comprises three conditions (Calcularis group, waiting control group, spelling training group). One hundred and thirty-eight children from second to fifth grade participated in the study. Training duration comprised a minimum of 24 training sessions of 20 min within a time period of 6-8 weeks. Compared to the group without training (waiting control group) and the group with an alternative training (spelling training group), the children of the Calcularis group demonstrated a higher benefit in subtraction and number line estimation with medium to large effect sizes. Therefore, Calcularis can be used effectively to support children in arithmetic performance and spatial number representation. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe - 430 KW - numerical development KW - evaluative study KW - primary school KW - computer-based training KW - mathematics instruction Y1 - 2018 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-406727 IS - 430 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rauscher, Larissa A1 - Kohn, Juliane A1 - Käser, Tanja A1 - Mayer, Verena A1 - Kucian, Karin A1 - McCaskey, Ursina A1 - Esser, Günter A1 - von Aster, Michael G. T1 - Evaluation of a Computer-Based Training Program for Enhancing Arithmetic Skills and Spatial Number Representation in Primary School Children JF - Frontiers in psychology N2 - Calcularis is a computer-based training program which focuses on basic numerical skills, spatial representation of numbers and arithmetic operations. The program includes a user model allowing flexible adaptation to the child's individual knowledge and learning profile. The study design to evaluate the training comprises three conditions (Calcularis group, waiting control group, spelling training group). One hundred and thirty-eight children from second to fifth grade participated in the study. Training duration comprised a minimum of 24 training sessions of 20 min within a time period of 6–8 weeks. Compared to the group without training (waiting control group) and the group with an alternative training (spelling training group), the children of the Calcularis group demonstrated a higher benefit in subtraction and number line estimation with medium to large effect sizes. Therefore, Calcularis can be used effectively to support children in arithmetic performance and spatial number representation. KW - numerical development KW - evaluative study KW - primary school KW - computer-based training KW - mathematics instruction Y1 - 2016 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00913 SN - 1664-1078 VL - 7 SP - 14086 EP - 14099 PB - Frontiers Research Foundation CY - Lausanne ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kohn, Juliane A1 - Rauscher, Larissa A1 - Kucian, Karin A1 - Käser, Tanja A1 - Wyschkon, Anne A1 - Esser, Günter A1 - von Aster, Michael G. T1 - Efficacy of a Computer-Based Learning Program in Children With Developmental Dyscalculia BT - What Influences Individual Responsiveness? JF - Frontiers in Psychology N2 - This study presents the evaluation of a computer-based learning program for children with developmental dyscalculia and focuses on factors affecting individual responsiveness. The adaptive training program Calcularis 2.0 has been developed according to current neuro-cognitive theory of numerical cognition. It aims to automatize number representations, supports the formation and access to the mental number line and trains arithmetic operations as well as arithmetic fact knowledge in expanding number ranges. Sixty-seven children with developmental dyscalculia from second to fifth grade (mean age 8.96 years) were randomly assigned to one of two groups (Calcularis group, waiting control group). Training duration comprised a minimum of 42 training sessions à 20 min within a maximum period of 13 weeks. Compared to the waiting control group, children of the Calcularis group demonstrated a higher benefit in arithmetic operations and number line estimation. These improvements were shown to be stable after a 3-months post training interval. In addition, this study examines which predictors accounted for training improvements. Results indicate that this self-directed training was especially beneficial for children with low math anxiety scores and without an additional reading and/or spelling disorder. In conclusion, Calcularis 2.0 supports children with developmental dyscalculia to improve their arithmetical abilities and their mental number line representation. However, it is relevant to further adapt the setting to the individual circumstances. KW - developmental dyscalculia KW - mathematics instruction KW - computer-based training KW - intelligent tutoring system (ITS) KW - numerical development KW - evaluative study KW - primary school Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01115 SN - 1664-1078 VL - 11 PB - Frontiers Research Foundation CY - Lausanne ER - TY - GEN A1 - Ehlert, Antje A1 - Poltz, Nadine A1 - Quandte, Sabine A1 - Kohn-Henkel, Juliane A1 - Kucian, Karin A1 - Aster, Michael von A1 - Esser, Günter T1 - Taking a closer look: The relationship between pre-school domain general cognition and school mathematics achievement when controlling for intelligence T2 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Intelligence, as well as working memory and attention, affect the acquisition of mathematical competencies. This paper aimed to examine the influence of working memory and attention when taking different mathematical skills into account as a function of children’s intellectual ability. Overall, intelligence, working memory, attention and numerical skills were assessed twice in 1868 German pre-school children (t1, t2) and again at 2nd grade (t3). We defined three intellectual ability groups based on the results of intellectual assessment at t1 and t2. Group comparisons revealed significant differences between the three intellectual ability groups. Over time, children with low intellectual ability showed the lowest achievement in domain-general and numerical and mathematical skills compared to children of average intellectual ability. The highest achievement on the aforementioned variables was found for children of high intellectual ability. Additionally, path modelling revealed that, depending on the intellectual ability, different models of varying complexity could be generated. These models differed with regard to the relevance of the predictors (t2) and the future mathematical skills (t3). Causes and conclusions of these findings are discussed. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe - 786 KW - intellectual ability KW - intelligence KW - pre-school KW - mathematical precursor KW - mathematical development KW - school mathematics KW - longitudinal KW - numerical skills KW - working memory KW - attention Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-562337 SN - 1866-8364 SP - 1 EP - 23 PB - Universitätsverlag Potsdam CY - Potsdam ER - TY - GEN A1 - Poltz, Nadine A1 - Quandte, Sabine A1 - Kohn, Juliane A1 - Kucian, Karin A1 - Wyschkon, Anne A1 - von Aster, Michael A1 - Esser, Günter T1 - Does It Count? Pre-School Children’s Spontaneous Focusing on Numerosity and Their Development of Arithmetical Skills at School T2 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Background: Children’s spontaneous focusing on numerosity (SFON) is related to numerical skills. This study aimed to examine (1) the developmental trajectory of SFON and (2) the interrelations between SFON and early numerical skills at pre-school as well as their influence on arithmetical skills at school. Method: Overall, 1868 German pre-school children were repeatedly assessed until second grade. Nonverbal intelligence, visual attention, visuospatial working memory, SFON and numerical skills were assessed at age five (M = 63 months, Time 1) and age six (M = 72 months, Time 2), and arithmetic was assessed at second grade (M = 95 months, Time 3). Results: SFON increased significantly during pre-school. Path analyses revealed interrelations between SFON and several numerical skills, except number knowledge. Magnitude estimation and basic calculation skills (Time 1 and Time 2), and to a small degree number knowledge (Time 2), contributed directly to arithmetic in second grade. The connection between SFON and arithmetic was fully mediated by magnitude estimation and calculation skills at pre-school. Conclusion: Our results indicate that SFON first and foremost influences deeper understanding of numerical concepts at pre-school and—in contrast to previous findings –affects only indirectly children’s arithmetical development at school. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe - 777 KW - SFON KW - school mathematics KW - mathematical precursor KW - counting KW - number knowledge KW - magnitude estimation KW - transformation KW - pre-school KW - longitudinal KW - development Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-560283 SN - 1866-8364 SP - 1 EP - 18 PB - Universitätsverlag Potsdam CY - Potsdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Poltz, Nadine A1 - Quandte, Sabine A1 - Kohn, Juliane A1 - Kucian, Karin A1 - Wyschkon, Anne A1 - von Aster, Michael A1 - Esser, Günter T1 - Does It Count? Pre-School Children’s Spontaneous Focusing on Numerosity and Their Development of Arithmetical Skills at School JF - Brain Sciences N2 - Background: Children’s spontaneous focusing on numerosity (SFON) is related to numerical skills. This study aimed to examine (1) the developmental trajectory of SFON and (2) the interrelations between SFON and early numerical skills at pre-school as well as their influence on arithmetical skills at school. Method: Overall, 1868 German pre-school children were repeatedly assessed until second grade. Nonverbal intelligence, visual attention, visuospatial working memory, SFON and numerical skills were assessed at age five (M = 63 months, Time 1) and age six (M = 72 months, Time 2), and arithmetic was assessed at second grade (M = 95 months, Time 3). Results: SFON increased significantly during pre-school. Path analyses revealed interrelations between SFON and several numerical skills, except number knowledge. Magnitude estimation and basic calculation skills (Time 1 and Time 2), and to a small degree number knowledge (Time 2), contributed directly to arithmetic in second grade. The connection between SFON and arithmetic was fully mediated by magnitude estimation and calculation skills at pre-school. Conclusion: Our results indicate that SFON first and foremost influences deeper understanding of numerical concepts at pre-school and—in contrast to previous findings –affects only indirectly children’s arithmetical development at school. KW - SFON KW - school mathematics KW - mathematical precursor KW - counting KW - number knowledge KW - magnitude estimation KW - transformation KW - pre-school KW - longitudinal KW - development Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12030313 SN - 2076-3425 VL - 12 SP - 1 EP - 18 PB - MDPI CY - Basel, Schweiz ET - 3 ER -