Development
What mental skills help nine-year-olds do math?
Open access · cc by · source: Europe PMC
General skills like visual memory, spatial ability, and executive processing predict mathematical ability in children, whereas a specialized 'number sense' does not.
Key findings
They found that mathematical skill was strongly predicted by visual memory, spatial orientation, language decoding, verbal intelligence, and a task-switching test. Surprisingly, 'number sense' measures (like comparing dot quantities or symbols) did not reliably predict math performance once general cognitive skills were taken into account. Additionally, the cognitive model that successfully predicted math performance did not predict reading ability, showing that these mathematical predictors are highly specific.
Methodology
The researchers evaluated 98 children using a comprehensive suite of cognitive tests to determine what factors predict mathematical performance. They measured verbal and visual memory, language skills, spatial ability, general attention, and 'number sense' (such as comparing dot patterns). They then used advanced regression analysis to compare the predictive power of these different skills directly.
Limitations
The study only looked at a single age group of children, meaning these findings might not apply to younger children who are still learning basic number associations. Because the design is cross-sectional and correlational, it cannot prove that training visual memory or spatial skills will directly cause a child's math scores to improve. Furthermore, the researchers noted that their spatial orientation test was not standardized, meaning its reliability was not officially established. Finally, the study grouped overall mathematical ability together rather than examining different mathematical domains, such as geometry or algebra, which might rely on different cognitive skills.
How this study connects
Role on claims
Each row is a claim on a concept or method page where this paper supports, challenges, or qualifies the statement. Roles are hand-checked — not a model guess.
Core components of executive functioning, particularly working memory and cognitive flexibility, reliably predict early reading and mathematical achievements in childhood.
Evidence for the claim as stated.
Working memory capacity is a significant predictor of academic outcomes, specifically in mathematics and reading.
Evidence for the claim as stated.
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