The influence of a number sense game on intrinsic motivation towards counting

Abstract

The current research investigates whether intrinsic motivation for counting within young children can be improved through playing number sense games on tablets. A total of 54 children, aged 5 and 6 years, have played games during eight sessions. Self-reported motivation and perceived fun while playing the games, as well as arithmetic skills before and after playing the games were obtained. Two versions of the game were tested, containing perceptual and epistemic types of curiosity. No difference of game version on motivation or fun scores was found. After the eight playing sessions, no significant increase in motivation was found. Self-reported fun correlates slightly and significantly with motivation increase, Pearson’s r = .298, p < .05. Arithmetic performance did not seem to correlate with motivation increase. Although no significant increase in motivation was seen in the current study, the total playtime of the children may have been too short to generate an effect. It is recommended that this will be investigated further in future studies.