title: Acquisition of Motor and Cognitive Skills through Repetition in Typically Developing Children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Procedural memory allows acquisition, consolidation and use of motor skills and cognitive routines. Automation of procedures is achieved through repeated practice. In children, improvement in procedural skills is a consequence of natural neurobiological development and experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of the present research was to make a preliminary evaluation and description of repetition-based improvement of procedures in typically developing children (TDC). Ninety TDC children aged 6-12 years were asked to perform two procedural learning tasks. In an assembly learning task, which requires predominantly motor skills, we measured the number of assembled pieces in 60 seconds. In a mirror drawing learning task, which requires more cognitive functions, we measured time spent and efficiency. Participants were tested four times for each task: three trials were consecutive and the fourth trial was performed after a 10-minute nonverbal interference task. The influence of repeated practice on performance was evaluated by means of the analysis of variance with repeated measures and the paired-sample test. Correlation coefficients and simple linear regression test were used to examine the relationship between age and performance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TDC achieved higher scores in both tasks through repetition. Older children fitted more pieces than younger ones in assembling learning and they were faster and more efficient at the mirror drawing learning task.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicate that three consecutive trials at a procedural task increased speed and efficiency, and that age affected basal performance in motor-cognitive procedures.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Lifton Place, LS2 9JZ, Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom.|Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, Campus Universitario, 31080, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Magallón
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, Campus Universitario, 31080, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.|Unit of Paediatrics Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Navarra, Av. de Pío XII, 36, 31008 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Narbona
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, Campus Universitario, 31080, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.|Unit of Paediatrics Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Navarra, Av. de Pío XII, 36, 31008 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.
authors.forename: Nerea
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Crespo-Eguílaz
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D002666:Psychology, Child / Q000379:methods; D066233:Psychology, Developmental / Q000379:methods; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology