Role of home mathematics activities and mothers’ maths talk in predicting children’s maths talk and early maths skills

Children possess different levels of mathematical skills when they begin their formal education. The home environment perhaps holds the key to such disparate maths skills in children’s in early years. The aim of this study is to examine home maths activities and mothers’ maths talk as the predictors of children’s maths talk and early maths skills. The home interactions of 40 preschool children (M = 56.3 months) and their mothers were audio-recorded and their maths talk were analysed. Mothers reported the frequency of their home maths activities while each child’s early maths skills were assessed. Mothers’ maths talk in each maths category correlated with children’s maths talk. Unlike home maths activities, mothers’ maths talk predicted the children’s maths talk. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that home maths activities and mothers’ maths talk were important predictors of children’s early maths skills. Findings confirmed the significance of maternal support, including home activities and maths talk, in children’s maths development.