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Profiling Number Sense in Preschool Children with Intellectual Disabilities

Cilt: 34 Sayı: 1 31 Ocak 2026
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Profiling Number Sense in Preschool Children with Intellectual Disabilities

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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the basic number skills of children with intellectual disabilities (ID) in the preschool within the framework of number sense and to reveal their profiles according to their level of disability. Number sense is the foundation of mathematical skills and it has an important role in academic achievement and daily life skills. However, the existing literature does not adequately address the relationship between number skills and number sense, particularly in the context of children with ID. This study aims to fill an important gap in terms of shaping early intervention and teaching strategies. Method: The sample of this study, conducted using a descriptive survey model, consists of 43 children with ID aged 36–72 months attending public kindergartens in six different provinces in the Eastern Anatolia Region in the 2023–2024 academic year, determined by the criterion sampling method. The Number Sense Screener (NSS) developed by Jordan et al. (2012) and adapted into Turkish by Uyanık-Aktulun (2019) and İnal-Kızıltepe (2019) were used. The NSS is an individual assessment tool that measures early number sense components such as number recognition, counting, comparison, and basic arithmetic operations. Findings: The findings revealed that the number skill profiles of children with ID in the preschool differed significantly according to the level of disability. Children with mild disabilities exhibited a stronger profile in basic number recognition and single-digit number skills, while those with moderate disabilities struggled significantly in these areas. On the other hand, both groups had low success profiles in complex mathematical tasks, with no significant difference observed between them. These results indicate that basic number skill profiles are affected by disability level, but that common difficulties are experienced in higherlevel tasks. Highlights: Deficits in executive functions such as working memory and attention negatively affect the development of numerical skills. The inadequacy of existing teaching methods highlights the need for early, cognitive-sensitive, individualized interventions. Mathematics education needs to be restructured using approaches that reduce cognitive load and are supported by concrete materials. The development of numerical skills plays a critical role in both academic success and improving the quality of life for children with ID.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Number Sense, Intellectual Disability, Preschool, Early Numeracy Skills

Kaynakça

  1. Aagten-Murphy, D., Cappagli, G., Gori, M., & Burr, D. (2015). A practical guide to studying number sense in children with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 59(7), 601–616. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.12161
  2. Altindag Kumas, O., & Sardohan Yıldırım, A. E. (2024). Development of early numeracy skills in children with moderate intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 28(2), 343-358. https://doi.org/10.1177/17446295241228897
  3. American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). (2010). Intellectual disability: Definition, classification, and systems of supports (11th ed.). American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
  4. Aunio, P., & Räsänen, P. (2016). Core numerical skills for learning mathematics in children aged five to eight years – A working model for educators. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 24(5), 684–704. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2014.996424
  5. Bae, Y. S. (2017). Teaching early numeracy skills to preschool children with developmental delays using digital technology. Journal of Special Education Technology, 32(3), 149–159. https://doi.org/10.1177/0162643417716250
  6. Barbieri, C. A., & Rodrigues, J. (2025). Leveraging cognitive load theory to support students with mathematics difficulty. Educational Psychologist, 60(3), 208–232. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2025.2486138
  7. Barrocas, R., Roesch, S., Gawrilow, C., & Moeller, K. (2020). Putting a finger on numerical development–reviewing the contributions of kindergarten finger gnosis and fine motor skills to numerical abilities. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 509086. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01012
  8. Berch, D. B. (2005). Making sense of number sense: Implications for children with mathematical disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 38(4), 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1177/00222194050380040901
  9. Bender, W. N. (2012). Differentiated mathematics instruction for students with learning disabilities: New best practices for general and special educators (3rd ed.). Sage.
  10. Charitaki, G., Alevriadou, A., & Soulis, S. G. (2024). Early numeracy profiles in young children with intellectual disabilities: The role of cognitive functions. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 28(1), 48-66. https://doi.org/10.1177/17446295221117021

Kaynak Göster

APA
Uras, M. C., Semiz, S., Şata, M., & Soylu, Y. (2026). Profiling Number Sense in Preschool Children with Intellectual Disabilities. Kastamonu Education Journal, 34(1), 18-28. https://doi.org/10.24106/kefdergi.1877878
AMA
1.Uras MC, Semiz S, Şata M, Soylu Y. Profiling Number Sense in Preschool Children with Intellectual Disabilities. Kastamonu Eğitim Dergisi. 2026;34(1):18-28. doi:10.24106/kefdergi.1877878
Chicago
Uras, Muhammed Celal, Selahattin Semiz, Mehmet Şata, ve Yasin Soylu. 2026. “Profiling Number Sense in Preschool Children with Intellectual Disabilities”. Kastamonu Education Journal 34 (1): 18-28. https://doi.org/10.24106/kefdergi.1877878.
EndNote
Uras MC, Semiz S, Şata M, Soylu Y (01 Ocak 2026) Profiling Number Sense in Preschool Children with Intellectual Disabilities. Kastamonu Education Journal 34 1 18–28.
IEEE
[1]M. C. Uras, S. Semiz, M. Şata, ve Y. Soylu, “Profiling Number Sense in Preschool Children with Intellectual Disabilities”, Kastamonu Eğitim Dergisi, c. 34, sy 1, ss. 18–28, Oca. 2026, doi: 10.24106/kefdergi.1877878.
ISNAD
Uras, Muhammed Celal - Semiz, Selahattin - Şata, Mehmet - Soylu, Yasin. “Profiling Number Sense in Preschool Children with Intellectual Disabilities”. Kastamonu Education Journal 34/1 (01 Ocak 2026): 18-28. https://doi.org/10.24106/kefdergi.1877878.
JAMA
1.Uras MC, Semiz S, Şata M, Soylu Y. Profiling Number Sense in Preschool Children with Intellectual Disabilities. Kastamonu Eğitim Dergisi. 2026;34:18–28.
MLA
Uras, Muhammed Celal, vd. “Profiling Number Sense in Preschool Children with Intellectual Disabilities”. Kastamonu Education Journal, c. 34, sy 1, Ocak 2026, ss. 18-28, doi:10.24106/kefdergi.1877878.
Vancouver
1.Muhammed Celal Uras, Selahattin Semiz, Mehmet Şata, Yasin Soylu. Profiling Number Sense in Preschool Children with Intellectual Disabilities. Kastamonu Eğitim Dergisi. 01 Ocak 2026;34(1):18-2. doi:10.24106/kefdergi.1877878