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What are the most common cognitive and developmental factors that contribute to difficulty in adding numbers among pupils?

Numerosity adaptation effect

Developmental Dyscalculia

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Difficulties in adding numbers among pupils can stem from various cognitive and developmental factors. These include deficits in cognitive representations of different number formats, such as analog magnitudes, number words, and Arabic numbers. Additionally, issues with the neuropsychological underpinnings of developmental dyscalculia (DD), which is a genetically determined disorder of 'number sense', can contribute to struggles in adding numbers. Working memory deficits and under-activation of parietal and frontal brain regions important for number functions, executive functions, and attention can also hinder the ability to add numbers effectively. Furthermore, difficulties in counting, logic, planning, and understanding arithmetic operations can further compound challenges in adding numbers among pupils. Addressing these factors through appropriate instruction and interventions is crucial for supporting pupils with difficulties in adding numbers.

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Open access•Journal Article•DOI Developmental brain dynamics of numerical and arithmetic abilities. Stephan Vogel, Bert De Smedt - Show less +1 more 23 Jul 2021 11 Citations	Common factors contributing to difficulty in adding numbers include domain-specific processes (quantity representation, number symbols) and domain-general processes (working memory, visual-spatial abilities) interacting in dynamic brain networks.
Journal Article•DOI Number development and developmental dyscalculia Michael von Aster, Ruth S. Shalev - Show less +1 more 01 Nov 2007-Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology 430 Citations	Developmental dyscalculia (DD) can stem from deficits in number sense, working memory, and number symbolization. Comorbidities like language delay and attention disorders can exacerbate arithmetic difficulties in affected children.
Book Chapter•DOI Neurocognitive Perspective on Numerical Development Karin Landerl 01 Jan 2019 4 Citations	Deficits in cognitive representations of number formats (analog magnitudes, number words, Arabic numbers) contribute to difficulties in adding numbers among pupils, especially those with mathematical learning disorder.
Book Chapter•DOI Early difficulties in numerical cognition Avishai Henik 01 Jan 2021 1 Citations	Attention and inhibition are key cognitive factors contributing to difficulties in adding numbers among pupils, as highlighted in the challenges of extracting numerosity and focusing on numerical features early in development.

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