Hanner, Erinn
(2017)
Increasing math talk in adult-child interactions through grocery store signs.
Undergraduate Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
There is a persistent gap in math abilities between children from low socioeconomic (SES) families compared to children from high-SES families. Interventions to reduce this gap are often expensive and not easily implemented. This study examined the efficacy of a cost-effective intervention in grocery stores in order to try and increase the number of math-related adult-child conversations to increase children’s school readiness. We created and placed signs about general language and math in grocery stores in a low-SES neighborhood and a high-SES neighborhood that encouraged conversations between adults and children while shopping. Researchers used observational coding methods to see how these signs naturally influenced conversations. When signs that contained prompts to engage in math conversations were present there was an overall increase in conversations about math compared to the general language signs or when no signs were posted. When signs were present in the low-SES location, there was an increase in conversations about math between adults and children, whereas the signs did not have this effect in the high-SES location. This study demonstrates the benefits of implementing a cost-effective intervention in a natural environment that could increase math conversations and school readiness in children, especially from low-SES families.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
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| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
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| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
13 December 2017 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
15 November 2017 |
| Approval Date: |
13 December 2017 |
| Submission Date: |
8 December 2017 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
44 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
David C. Frederick Honors College
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Psychology |
| Degree: |
BPhil - Bachelor of Philosophy |
| Thesis Type: |
Undergraduate Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Math talk, socioeconomic status, adult-children conversation, grocery stores |
| Date Deposited: |
13 Dec 2017 20:21 |
| Last Modified: |
13 Dec 2017 20:21 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/33598 |
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