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Early language skills are considered important precursors of early mathematical development. Prior research extensively explored the association between vocabulary and early numeracy. However, few studies have delved into the specific impact of mathematical language on this association. This study investigated the extent to which mathematical language mediates the relation between general vocabulary knowledge and early numeracy competence. A total of 180 Hong Kong kindergarteners (mean age = 4.66 years, SD = 0.63) were individually tested on their Chinese general vocabulary knowledge, mathematical language, and early numeracy competence online. Path analysis showed that when children's age and family income were statistically controlled, general vocabulary knowledge had a direct positive association with early numeracy competence as well as an indirect link through mathematical language. The findings highlighted the pivotal role of mathematical vocabulary in the learning of mathematics in early childhood. Future directions for examining the role of mathematical language in early numeracy development across different languages are further discussed., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Parents' high academic expectations are positively associated with young children's mathematical abilities. However, minimal attention has been devoted to whether, and how, different ways of conveying the performance targets would result in different outcomes., Aims: The current study investigated whether and how parents' perfectionistic strivings and concerns were associated with young children's mathematical abilities through home mathematical activities, children's approach motivation to learn mathematics, and children's avoidance motivation to learn mathematics., Sample: Participants included 211 kindergarteners in Hong Kong and their parents., Methods: Data were collected through individual child tests and parent questionnaires., Results: Structural equation modelling revealed that parents' perfectionistic strivings had a direct positive link with children's mathematical abilities, an indirect link via approach motivation to learn mathematics, and an indirect link via home mathematical activities, and then approach motivation. Parents' perfectionistic concerns had a direct negative link with children's mathematical abilities, an indirect link via approach motivation to learn mathematics, and an indirect link via avoidance motivation to learn mathematics., Conclusions: Early childhood practitioners are recommended to raise parents' awareness of how to communicate high-performance targets to children in a constructive manner., (© 2024 British Psychological Society.)

Background: The present study investigated the role of early language abilities in the development of math skills among Chinese K-3 students. About 2000 children in China, who were on average aged 6 years, were assessed for both informal math (e.g., basic number concepts such as counting objects) and formal math (calculations including addition and subtraction) skills, language abilities and nonverbal intelligence., Methodology: Correlation analysis showed that language abilities were more strongly associated with informal than formal math skills, and regression analyses revealed that children's language abilities could uniquely predict both informal and formal math skills with age, gender, and nonverbal intelligence controlled. Mediation analyses demonstrated that the relationship between children's language abilities and formal math skills was partially mediated by informal math skills., Results: The current findings indicate 1) Children's language abilities are of strong predictive values for both informal and formal math skills; 2) Language abilities impacts formal math skills partially through the mediation of informal math skills.