In psychology, number sense is the term used for the hypothesis that some animals, particularly humans, have a biologically determined ability that allows them to represent and manipulate large numerical quantities.
[5] All mammals, and most birds, will notice if there is a change in the number of their young nearby.
[6] Researchers consider number sense to be of prime importance for children in early elementary education, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics has made number sense a focus area of pre-K through 2nd grade mathematics education.
[7] An active area of research is to create and test teaching strategies to develop children's number sense.
Number sense also refers to the contest hosted by the University Interscholastic League.