The relationship between visuo-spatial sketchpad capacity and children’s mathematical skills

Holmes, J.; Adams, J.W.; Hamilton, C.

Abstract

This study examined the association between visuo-spatial sketchpad (VSSP) capacity and children’s mathematics attainment. The aim of the study was to explore age-related differences in the relationship between the visual and spatial memory subcomponents of the VSSP (Logie, 1995) and a range of mathematical skills. Fifty-one 7/8 year-old and 56 9/10 year-old primary school children participated in the study. The Visual Patterns Test and the Block Recall task were employed as VSSP tasks. The pattern of results revealed a differential pattern of associations between children’s visual and spatial working memory abilities and their mathematical skills. In younger children, the Block Recall task predicted mathematics performance whereas in the older children, the Visual Patterns Test was a significant predictor of mathematics performance.

Citation

Holmes, J., Adams, J., & Hamilton, C. (2008). The relationship between visuo-spatial sketchpad capacity and children’s mathematical skills. European journal of cognitive psychology, 20(2), 272-289. https://doi.org/10.1080/09541440701612702

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2008
• Deposit Date: Sep 25, 2012
• Journal: European Journal of Cognitive Psychology
• Print ISSN: 0954-1446
• Electronic ISSN: 1464-0635
• Publisher: Psychology Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 272-289
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09541440701612702
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1554271