The article presents the results of a literature review that covered various study types and contributions made on cognition and numerical thinking in Colombia. After conducting a search in different sources, 84 relevant documents were selected and analysed in detail. Three categories were created: (i) subjects and lines of research; (ii) teacher training; and (iii) contributions to teaching and learning processes in the classroom. The results of the study indicate that in Colombia there is a prevalence of studies that focus on proposals addressing needs in mathematics classes. There is also a significant amount of studies on cognitive, semiotic and sociocultural perspectives. A gap between these two types of studies is also presented. Some considerations for future research on the topic are outlined at the end of the article.