title: A structural analysis of working memory and related cognitive skills in young children.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the functional organisation of working memory and related cognitive abilities in young children. A sample of 633 children aged between 4 and 6 years were tested on measures of verbal short-term memory, complex memory span, sentence repetition, phonological awareness, and nonverbal ability. The measurement model that provided the best fit of the data incorporates constructs that correspond to the central executive, phonological loop, and episodic buffer subcomponents of working memory, plus distinct but associated constructs associated with phonological awareness and nonverbal ability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK. t.p.alloway@durham.ac.uk
authors.forename: Tracy Packiam
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Alloway
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Gathercole
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Adams
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008960:Models, Psychological