title: Sensori-motor spatial training of number magnitude representation.
abstract: An adequately developed spatial representation of number magnitude is associated with children's general arithmetic achievement. Therefore, a new spatial-numerical training program for kindergarten children was developed in which presentation and response were associated with a congruent spatial numerical representation. In particular, children responded by a full-body spatial movement on a digital dance mat in a magnitude comparison task. This spatial-numerical training was more effective than a non-spatial control training in enhancing children's performance on a number line estimation task and a subtest of a standardized mathematical achievement battery (TEDI-MATH). A mediation analysis suggested that these improvements were driven by an improvement of children's mental number line representation and not only by unspecific factors such as attention or motivation. These results suggest a benefit of spatial numerical associations. Rather than being a merely associated covariate, they work as an independently manipulated variable which is functional for numerical development.
authors.affiliation: Knowledge Media Research Center, Konrad-Adenauer-Straße 40, 72072, Tuebingen, Germany. u.fischer@iwm-kmrc.de
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Korbinian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moeller
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bientzle
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Cress
authors.forename: Hans-Christoph
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Nuerk
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D001245:Association Learning; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003210:Concept Formation; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D004215:Distance Perception; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D009043:Motor Activity; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D012858:Size Perception; D013028:Space Perception; D014163:Transfer, Psychology