Regional Disparities in Numerical Cognition: A Comparative Study of Chinese First-Graders from East and West.

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Title: Regional Disparities in Numerical Cognition: A Comparative Study of Chinese First-Graders from East and West.
Authors: Yan, Ruoyuan (AUTHOR), Yan, Linlin (AUTHOR), Gu, Xinhan (AUTHOR), Qian, Ping (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Cognition & Development. 2026, Vol. 27 Issue 4, p522-543. 22p.
Subjects: Regional disparities, Mathematical ability, Socioeconomic factors, Visual discrimination, Chinese people, Education policy, Magnitude estimation, Cognitive development
Geographic Terms: Hangzhou (China)
Abstract: This study explored regional disparities in numerical cognition among Chinese first-graders (aged 6–8 years, mean age 7 years old), comparing non-symbolic quantity and area perception abilities between children from Hangzhou (East) and Wuwei (West) provinces. Using identical dot-array stimuli for both number and area comparison tasks, we assessed baseline performance and tracked developmental changes among western students over one semester. Key findings include: (1) While both groups showed comparable accuracy in dot-number comparisons, eastern children responded significantly faster, suggesting superior numerical efficiency in numerical task; (2) In dot-area comparisons, western children exhibited greater susceptibility to numerical interference; (3) Longitudinal data showed western students' area perception aligned with eastern peers' initial performance after one semester, yet persistent reaction time differences remained, revealing approximately a half-year developmental gap. These findings highlight regional differences in early mathematical cognition, with eastern children demonstrating advantages in processing efficiency. The results underscore the importance of quality preschool education and suggest socioeconomic factors may contribute to these observed disparities. This research provides empirical evidence to inform educational policies aimed at reducing regional inequalities in cognitive development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Cognition & Development is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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PubTypeId: academicJournal
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  Data: Regional Disparities in Numerical Cognition: A Comparative Study of Chinese First-Graders from East and West.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Cognition+%26+Development%22">Journal of Cognition & Development</searchLink>. 2026, Vol. 27 Issue 4, p522-543. 22p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Regional+disparities%22">Regional disparities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mathematical+ability%22">Mathematical ability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Socioeconomic+factors%22">Socioeconomic factors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Visual+discrimination%22">Visual discrimination</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Chinese+people%22">Chinese people</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Education+policy%22">Education policy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Magnitude+estimation%22">Magnitude estimation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+development%22">Cognitive development</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hangzhou+%28China%29%22">Hangzhou (China)</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study explored regional disparities in numerical cognition among Chinese first-graders (aged 6–8 years, mean age 7 years old), comparing non-symbolic quantity and area perception abilities between children from Hangzhou (East) and Wuwei (West) provinces. Using identical dot-array stimuli for both number and area comparison tasks, we assessed baseline performance and tracked developmental changes among western students over one semester. Key findings include: (1) While both groups showed comparable accuracy in dot-number comparisons, eastern children responded significantly faster, suggesting superior numerical efficiency in numerical task; (2) In dot-area comparisons, western children exhibited greater susceptibility to numerical interference; (3) Longitudinal data showed western students' area perception aligned with eastern peers' initial performance after one semester, yet persistent reaction time differences remained, revealing approximately a half-year developmental gap. These findings highlight regional differences in early mathematical cognition, with eastern children demonstrating advantages in processing efficiency. The results underscore the importance of quality preschool education and suggest socioeconomic factors may contribute to these observed disparities. This research provides empirical evidence to inform educational policies aimed at reducing regional inequalities in cognitive development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Cognition & Development is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/15248372.2025.2566087
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 22
        StartPage: 522
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      – SubjectFull: Regional disparities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mathematical ability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Socioeconomic factors
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Visual discrimination
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      – SubjectFull: Chinese people
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Education policy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Magnitude estimation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cognitive development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Hangzhou (China)
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Regional Disparities in Numerical Cognition: A Comparative Study of Chinese First-Graders from East and West.
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            NameFull: Yan, Ruoyuan
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            NameFull: Yan, Linlin
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            NameFull: Gu, Xinhan
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            NameFull: Qian, Ping
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            – D: 01
              M: 08
              Text: 2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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