De Relatie tussen Leesvaardigheid, Rekenvaardigheid, Sekse en Taalachtergrond.

Abstract

The research question in this article is ‘Is there a relation between reading and early arithmetic abilities of 5 to 7-year-old children and do sex and language background play a role in this relation?’. Aim: This research examines the relation between reading and arithmetic. Sex and home language are examined in relation to arithmetic abilities. Method: 125 children between 5 and 7 years have been tested on the UGT-3 (early arithmetic test) and the DMT (reading test). The sample was acquired via preceding research of the UGT-3 and networks of students. The research is quantitative and had a random and stratified sample. The sample is representative for all provinces. Procedure: Schools were either recruited from earlier research or from networks of students. Parents were informed via a letter about the research and gave informed consent. The UGT-3 is performed in a separate space, if possible, and is only half an hour. If needed questions were repeated once. When distracted, the attention of the children was brought back to the test. The reward was a sticker. Results: A positive, significant relation between reading and early arithmetic abilities was found using multiple regression. Sex and home language contribute signicantly, along with reading abilities,to early arithmetic abilities. However, sex is not a significant moderator in this relation. Discussion: This research implies that there is evidence for the role of sex and home language in arithemetic abilities. However, future research needs a better sample and can dive deeper into differences between boys and girls.