Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 29, 2025

Multimedia Battery for Assessment of Cognitive and Basic Skills in Mathematics BM-PROMA
Published on: August 28, 2021
Working memory predictors of mathematics across the middle primary school years
Katie Allen1, David Giofrè2, Steve Higgins1
1School of Education, University of Durham, UK.
Background:
Work surrounding the relationship between visuospatial working memory (WM) and mathematics performance is gaining significant traction as a result of a focus on improving academic attainment.
Aims:
This study examined the relative contributions of verbal and visuospatial simple and complex WM measures to mathematics in primary school children aged 6-10 years.
Sample:
A sample of 111 children in years 2-5 were assessed (Mage = 100.06 months, SD = 14.47).
Method:
Children were tested individually on all memory measures, followed by a separate mathematics testing session as a class group in the same assessment wave.
Results And Conclusions:
Results revealed an age-dependent relationship, with a move towards visuospatial influence in older children. Further analyses demonstrated that backward word span and backward matrices contributed unique portions of variance of mathematics, regardless of the regression model specified. We discuss possible explanations for our preliminary findings in relation to the existing literature alongside their implications for educators and further research.
More Related Videos
09:05Assessing Working Memory in Children: The Comprehensive Assessment Battery for Children – Working Memory (CABC-WM)
Published on: June 12, 2017
07:01Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment
Published on: September 20, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Information Processing Approach
Working Memory
Piaget's Stage 3 of Cognitive Development
Conservation and Constancy of Quantity
A significant cognitive milestone in the...
Biological Influences on Intelligence
Binet's Contribution to Measures of Intelligence
Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory