Child-centered and teacher-directed practices in relation to calculation and word problem solving skills

This study examined transactional associations between classroom-level math skills and teaching practices. Participants were 523 children from 31 classrooms. Math skills were assessed three times. Teaching practices were observed in Grades 1 and 3. Child-centered practices promoted subsequent calculation skills whereas teacher-directed practices were associated with a lower level of calculation skills. Higher problem-solving skills at Grade 2 predicted more child-centered practices and less teacher-directed practices in third grade. Moreover, calculation skills mediated the effect of child-centered practices on problem-solving skills. The results suggest that teaching practices and math skills are mutually related across the first years of primary school.
Source: Learning and Individual Differences - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research