Number board game
= Number board game
A <number board game> associates positions and moves on a board with <numbers>. A linear track can connect spoken counting, written <numerals>, spatial position and the number of moves needed to reach a destination. These are related cues to numerical magnitude, rather than merely decorative labels.
<Geetha B. Ramani> and <Robert S. Siegler> tested such a game with low-income preschool children. Their numbered track had ten consecutive positions; a corresponding comparison board used colors without the numbers. Children played across four sessions, with numerical assessments immediately afterwards and nine weeks later. The numbered-game group improved on the four measured numerical tasks, with retained gains at follow-up.<Promoting broad and stable improvements in low-income children's numerical knowledge through playing number board games by Geetha B. Ramani and others>[2008, abstract; Materials and Procedure, Board games; Discussion, retention]{ref}
The comparison is useful because it controls aspects of game playing and adult interaction while changing the numerical activity. It tests a particular intervention and set of outcomes; it does not imply that every board layout teaches the same skills. The relation between positions on the track and a <number line> also gives a concrete hypothesis about why a linear arrangement might support <number-line estimation>.