ABSTRACT
Arithmetic performance is the ability to correctly solve arithmetic problems in a fluent way. It depends on the ability to understand the concept of the operation, the ability to develop and select effective resolution strategies, and the ability to increase fluidity in the resolution of calculations. In the first section of this chapter, we will describe the development of the child’s arithmetic skills for each of the four basic arithmetic operations and for both single-digit and multi-digit calculations (Lemaire & Brun, 2018, Hickendorff, Torbeyns & Verschaffel, 2019). In the second section, we will examine the difficulties experienced by children with math learning difficulties (Geary, Hoard & Bailey, 2012). In the third section, we will review the published research on arithmetic training or remediation (Codding, Burns & Lukito, 2011; Caviola, Gerotto & Mammarella, 2016); this will allow us to identify practices that work. The last two sections will focus on clinical practice. First, we will present assessment tools of the child’s arithmetic skills (Karagiannakis & Noël, 2020). Then, we will give a detailed presentation of concrete ways to assist children who struggle with arithmetic for all the four basic arithmetic operations and for single-digit, multi-digit, and written algorithmic calculations.
