Mathematical achievement: the role of spatial and motor skills in 6–8 year-old children

PeerJ

article

Laura M. Fernández-Méndez¹  María José Contreras²  Irene Cristina Mammarella³  Tommaso Feraco⁴  Chiara Meneghetti⁴ 

[1] Department of Psychology, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos;Department of Basic Psychology I, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia;Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova;Department of General Psychology, University of Padova

关键词: Mathematical achievement;    Mental rotation;    Spatial cognition;    Motor ability;    Primary school children;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.10095

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

Several studies have tried to establish the factors that underlie mathematical ability across development. Among them, spatial and motor abilities might play a relevant role, but no studies jointly contemplate both types of abilities to account for mathematical performance. The present study was designed to observe the roles of spatial and motor skills in mathematical performance. A total of 305 children aged between 6 and 8 years took part in this study. A generalized linear regression model with mathematical performance as a dependent variable was performed. Results revealed that Block design (as a visuospatial reasoning measure) accounted for mathematical performance, especially among 6- and 7-year-olds but not in 8-year-olds. After controlling for the effect of the block design, mental rotation and manual dexterity predicted mathematical performance. These findings highlight the role of underlying cognitive (spatial) and motor abilities in supporting mathematical achievement in primary school children.

【 授权许可】

CC BY