I have a question about a child’s ability to subitize quantities. If a baby learns how to subitize early on and then keeps practicing it, will they eventually lose that ability? For example, if a toddler can subitize the quantity 88, so their parents use dot cards (or something similar) to teach addition. 88 dots + 92 dots = 180. If they continue practicing it until the child gets to school will the child still be able to subitize?
Has anyone been doing this long enough to see their 10 year old still subitize? Would someone lose the ability only if they quit practicing it? I am new to this method of teaching math, and was just curious.
In general, according to the Doman Institutes children lose the ability around age 3, which incidentally is when their right brain dominance begins to decrease. I have heard of one adult who is able to do this, I am sure there are more savants out there that can do it as well. If I had to take a guess, I would say a small percentage of children retain the ability but most do not. Rather, it is a springboard to begin further math study and a way to concretely convey that numerals are symbolic of quantity and they get to keep that very early, core understanding along after the skill fades. Some folks view very early math education in a way that is similar to learning math as a native language versus a secondary language.
These previous discussions may help shed some light for you. Best of luck!
http://forum.brillkids.com/teaching-your-child-math/doman-math-success-mail-from-iahp/
http://forum.brillkids.com/teaching-your-child-math/phone-conversation-with-the-iahp/
http://forum.brillkids.com/teaching-your-child-math/2-year-old-lose-ability/
Thank you for taking the time to respond! The other posts were very helpful. I am glad I started when I did with my daughter! The abacus will probably be what we do next!
Thanks again!