Numerical Understanding in Preschool - Essay Example

It is not a far-fetched idea that preschool education effects the learning abilities and acumen of children up to the levels of elementary, middle, and even high school (Siegler, 2009). It is supported by scientific research, as will be stipulated later in the paper. However, it is quite understandable why this notion might be correct. Children develop learning habits quite early in their development and tend to carry those habits throughout life (Siegler, 2009). Their understanding of simple mathematical tasks, as an example, as developed in the early years, effects their understanding of complex calculation later on.

These simple tasks, which should ideally be developed in preschool, include numeral identification, magnitude comparison, counting, and numeral line estimation (Siegler, 2009). Since the case under discussion focuses on preschools where the majority of the students come from low-income families, another angle which should be discussed is the lack of development of mathematical skills of these children as compared to their counterparts from middle-income families, who develop relatively higher levels of mathematical skills (Siegler, 2009).

The reasons for this could be the exposure of children to mathematical tasks, as is often related to the counting of bills, or the hearing of talk related to monetary calculations (Siegler, 2009). The middle-class children, being more exposed to such situations, develop a better numerical sense and understanding as compared to children from low-income families, thereby putting them at an advantage (Siegler, 2009).