scholarly journals Disentangling the Effects of SFON (Spontaneous Focusing on Numerosity) and Symbolic Number Skills on the Mathematical Achievement of First Graders. A Longitudinal Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noemi Gloor ◽  
Delia Leuenberger ◽  
Elisabeth Moser Opitz
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
First Graders ◽  
First Language ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Mathematical Achievement ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
End Of Grade ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Symbolic Number ◽  
Number Skills

Research has established that Spontaneous Focusing on Numerosity (SFON) and symbolic number skills (e.g., counting out loud, counting objects, linking small magnitudes and numbers) are predictors of mathematical achievement in primary school. However, little is known about the relationship between SFON and symbolic number skills, or whether one of these factors is more influential on a child’s subsequent mathematical achievement. This study investigated the effect of SFON and symbolic number skills on mathematical achievement at the end of Grade 1 by controlling for first language, gender, working memory and nonverbal IQ. Participants were N = 1,279 first graders. SFON, symbolic number skills and control variables (first language, gender, working memory, and nonverbal IQ) were measured at the beginning of Grade 1. SFON was assessed with a verbally-based task. Data on mathematical achievement was collected at the end of Grade 1. Descriptive statistics demonstrated that the children’s SFON was relatively low at the beginning of Grade 1. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationship between SFON, symbolic number skills and mathematical achievement at the end of Grade 1. The results revealed a weakly significant correlation between SFON and symbolic number skills. SFON and symbolic number skills were significant predictors of mathematical achievement at the end of Grade 1. However, the effect of symbolic number skills on mathematical achievement was greater than the effect of SFON. It is therefore concluded that numerical skills are more important than SFON for predicting mathematical achievement over the course of first grade.

Understanding the Relationship Between Rationality and Intelligence: A Latent-Variable Approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander P. Burgoyne ◽  
Cody Mashburn ◽  
Jason S. Tsukahara ◽  
Zach Hambrick ◽  
Randall W Engle
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Latent Variable ◽  
Fluid Intelligence ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
Memory Capacity ◽  
Attention Control ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
General Intelligence ◽  
Variable Approach ◽  
The Relationship

A hallmark of intelligent behavior is rationality—the disposition and ability to think analytically to make decisions that maximize expected utility or follow the laws of probability, and therefore align with normative principles of decision making. However, the question remains as to whether rationality and intelligence are empirically distinct, as does the question of what cognitive mechanisms underlie individual differences in rationality. In a large sample of participants (N = 331), we used latent variable analyses to assess the relationship between rationality and intelligence. The results indicated that there was a common ability underpinning performance on some, but not all, rationality tests. Latent factors representing rationality and general intelligence were strongly correlated (r = .54), but their correlation fell well short of unity. Indeed, after accounting for variance in performance attributable to general intelligence, rationality measures still cohered on a latent factor. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that rationality correlated significantly with fluid intelligence (r = .56), working memory capacity (r = .44), and attention control (r = .49). Structural equation modeling revealed that attention control fully accounted for the relationship between working memory capacity and rationality, and partially accounted for the relationship between fluid intelligence and rationality. Results are interpreted in light of the executive attention framework, which holds that attention control supports information maintenance and disengagement in service of complex cognition. We conclude by speculating about factors rationality tests may tap that other cognitive ability tests miss, and outline directions for further research.

The contributions of working memory domains and processes to early mathematical knowledge between preschool and first grade

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara De Vita ◽  
Hiwet Mariam Costa ◽  
Carlo Tomasetto ◽  
Maria Chiara Passolunghi
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Mathematical Knowledge ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
First Graders ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Before And After ◽  
High Control

AbstractWorking Memory (WM) plays a crucial role in supporting children’s mathematical learning. However, there is no consensus on the relative contributions of different WM domains (i.e., verbal, visuo-spatial, and numerical–verbal) and processes (i.e., low-control and high-control) to mathematical performance, specifically before and after the onset of formal education. This cross-sectional study examined the relations between WM domains and processes and early mathematical knowledge, comparing a group of children in the second year of preschool (N = 66) to a group of first graders (N = 110). Results of multigroup path analysis showed that whereas visuo-spatial low-control WM significantly predicted early mathematical knowledge only among preschoolers, verbal low-control WM was a significant predictor only among first graders. Instead, the contribution of visuo-spatial high-control WM emerged as significant for both age groups, as well as that of numerical–verbal WM, although the latter to a greater extent among preschoolers. These findings provide new insights into the WM domains and processes most involved in early mathematical knowledge at different developmental stages, with potential implications for the implementation of age-appropriate training interventions targeting specific WM skills before and after the onset of formal education.

The Complex Role of Utterance Length on Grammaticality: Multivariate Multilevel Analysis of English and Spanish Utterances of First-Grade English Learners

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Anny Castilla-Earls ◽  
David J. Francis ◽  
Aquiles Iglesias
Keyword(s):  
English Learners ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
First Graders ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Mixed Linear Models ◽  
Error Type ◽  
Child Effects ◽  
Utterance Length ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose: This study examined the relationship between utterance length, syntactic complexity, and the probability of making an error at the utterance level. Method: The participants in this study included 830 Spanish-speaking first graders who were learning English at school. Story retells in both Spanish and English were collected from all children. Generalized mixed linear models were used to examine within-child and between-children effects of utterance length and subordination on the probability of making an error at the utterance level. Results: The relationship between utterance length and grammaticality was found to differ by error type (omission vs. commission), language (Spanish vs. English), and level of analysis (within-child vs. between-children). For errors of commission, the probability of making an error increased as a child produced utterances that were longer relative to their average utterance length (within-child effect). Contrastively, for errors of omission, the probability of making an error decreased when a child produced utterances that were longer relative to their average utterance length (within-child effect). In English, a child who produced utterances that were, on average, longer than the average utterance length for all children produced more errors of commission and fewer errors of omission (between-children effect). This between-children effect was similar in Spanish for errors of commission but nonsignificant for errors of omission. For both error types, the within-child effects of utterance length were moderated by the use of subordination. Conclusion: The relationship between utterance length and grammaticality is complex and varies by error type, language, and whether the frame of reference is the child's own language (within-child effect) or the language of other children (between-children effect). Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.17035916

scholarly journals WORKING MEMORY CAPACITY AND L2 READING

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Yo In’nami ◽  
Yuko Hijikata ◽  
Rie Koizumi
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
First Language ◽  
L2 Reading ◽  
Reading Measures ◽  
L1 And L2 ◽  
Analysis Models ◽  
Measurement Practices ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The relationship between working memory (WM) and second-language (L2) reading has been extensively examined, with mixed results. Our meta-analysis models the potential impact of underresearched variables considered to moderate this relationship. Results from 74 studies (228 correlations) showed a significant, small relationship between WM and L2 reading (r = .300). Of the eight moderators examined, the WM–L2 reading relationship differed between studies using first-language (L1) and L2 WM tasks and between studies reporting and not reporting WM task reliability. Methodological features of reading comprehension measures or learners’ proficiency did not moderate the relationship. These results suggest that measurement practices of WM—rather than L2 reading measures or learner characteristics—matter in understanding the WM–L2 reading relationship. Implications and future directions are discussed.

scholarly journals La Escala Observacional de Memoria Operativa (EOMO) como instrumento eficaz en la prevención y detección de dificultades de aprendizaje

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-69
Author(s):  
Marta Gutiérrez Sánchez ◽  
Sergio Vidal Valenzuela
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Primary Education ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Mathematical Achievement ◽  
Educación Primaria ◽  
The Relationship

El presente trabajo pretende proponer una optimización de los procesos de prevención y detección de dificultades de aprendizaje en el contexto educativo, mediante el estudio de la relación que la Escala Observacional de Memoria Operativa (EOMO) muestra con medidas de la eficacia lectora, comprensión lectora, rendimiento matemático y rendimiento académico. Para ello se estudió una muestra incidental de 636 alumnos de educación primaria, pertenecientes a centros educativos de la comarca de Cartagena. Los datos mostraron relaciones significativas de la EOMO con las diferentes variables medidas, y en el sentido esperado. Los datos permitieron concluir que el EOMO puede ser una herramienta de filtrado o screening que delimite claramente la muestra de alumnos que ha de ser valorada con mayor detalle, a fin de prevenir o detectar dificultades de aprendizaje. The present study aims to improve the effectiveness of the process of preventing and detecting learning disabilities by studying the relationship between the Observational Scale of Working Memory (EOMO) and effective reading, reading comprehension, mathematical achievement, and academic achievement. The incidental sample consisted of 636 students from Primary Education, belonging to different schools in Cartagena. As expected, the results showed signi-ficant relationships between EOMO and all the variables measured. These findings showed that EOMO can be used as a screening tool to limit the sample of students that should be assessed in detail so as to prevent and detect learning disabilities.

scholarly journals S75. PERFORMANCE IN WORKING MEMORY AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS AS IT RELATES TO THEORY OF MIND ABILITIES IN A NONCLINICAL SAMPLE OF INDIVIDUALS WITH SCHIZOTYPAL TRAITS

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S62-S63
Author(s):  
Kyrsten Grimes ◽  
Konstantine Zakzanis
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Cognitive Models ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Nonclinical Sample ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background In recent decades, research in the treatment of schizophrenia has shifted to early detection and intervention. Unfortunately, the development of psychosis is still poorly understood, making such an endeavour more challenging. Cognitive models of psychosis suggest that neurocognitive deficits place an individual at greater risk of developing metacognitive deficits. Such deficits in metacognition have been shown to contribute to the development of positive symptomatology. A large body of literature supports that patients with schizophrenia exhibit impairments across nearly all domains of neurocognition, as well as metacognition. Theory of mind (ToM) is one of the most widely studied components of metacognition, which includes both cognitive (i.e., understanding what another person is thinking) and affective (i.e., understanding what another person is feeling) processes. Research indicates patients with schizophrenia demonstrate deficits in cognitive and affective ToM, and these deficits are associated with delusional symptomatology. If ToM is involved in the development of positive symptoms, it is expected that this deficit would be present prior to the onset of a first episode psychosis. It is unclear from current research findings if this is the case, however. Additionally, research examining the role of neurocognition as it relates to ToM is lacking. While some research has examined these variables in clinically-high-risk (CHR) groups, little research has examined nonclinical samples at risk for psychosis. Thus, this study sought to examine the relationship between ToM and neurocognition in a nonclinical sample with schizotypal traits, as research suggests these individuals may be at risk of developing a psychotic illness. It was hypothesized that lower performance in working memory and executive functioning would be related to poorer performance in cognitive and affective ToM, which would subsequently be associated with subsyndromal delusions. It was further predicted that schizotypal traits would moderate the relationship between neurocognitive performance and ToM abilities. Methods Undergraduate students (N = 99) completed self-report measures of personality and psychosocial functioning, including the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Launay-Slade Hallucination Scale-Revised, and 21-Item Peters Delusions Inventory. Participants also completed the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery Screening Module, which is a screening measure for neurocognitive dysfunction. Finally, they completed the Recognition of Faux Pas Test, a task-based measure that evaluates cognitive and affective ToM. Results Data collection is complete, and the data will be analysed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. This is a regression-based path analysis designed for exploratory models. This statistical method is better able to handle non-normally distributed data and smaller sample sizes when compared to covariance-based structural equation modeling. Discussion Study findings will be discussed in the context of cognitive models for the development of psychosis. The ways in which these findings, and cognitive models more broadly, can facilitate early detection of schizophrenia will be discussed, along with how such models can be used to inform psychosocial interventions for the illness.

A preliminary study of the relationship between working memory, language experience, and grammatical skill in dual language learners

2021 ◽  
pp. 136700692110349
Author(s):  
Kimberly C Jenkins ◽  
Raquel T Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Dual Language ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Dual Language Learners ◽  
Language Experience ◽  
Short Term ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose: This study examined the relationship between verbal short-term and working memory, language experience, and English tense-marking skill in Spanish L1-English L2 dual language learners (DLLs). Methodology: Ten Spanish-English DLLs, in kindergarten and first grade, participated in the study. Children completed the Test of Early Grammatical Impairment, a narrative retell task in English, and verbal memory tasks. Parents provided information regarding language input and output in the home and school environment. Data and analysis: Correlational analyses were conducted to examine relationships between English and Spanish input/output, forward and backward digit span, assessed in English and Spanish, and the accurate and productive use of English tense morphemes in various linguistic contexts. Conclusions: Study outcomes indicated varied use of English tense morphemes among DLLs. Additionally, a strong, positive association was found between the use of a variety of distinct tense forms and verbal working memory performance. Originality: This study is the first investigation to examine verbal short-term and working memory and home language experience to advance our understanding of the specific child internal and external factors that may account for the variability in tense marking during English second language acquisition. Significance: This research provides further insight to the effects of individual differences on the acquisition of second language grammatical skill during childhood.

scholarly journals Relationship Between Teacher’s and Therapist’s Evaluations on Handwriting Performance in First-grade Children

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-156
Author(s):  
Adel Alhusaini ◽  
◽  
Ganeswararao Melam ◽  
Emad Bakr Takrouni ◽  
Faizan Zaffar Kashoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Significant Relationship ◽  
First Graders ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Standardized Measures ◽  
Riyadh City ◽  
Children’S Wellbeing ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Relationship

Objectives: Handwriting dysfunction may harm children’s wellbeing. Therapists and elementary school teachers help to identify and improve children’s handwriting performance. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between therapists’ assessment and teachers’ perception of handwriting performance in first graders. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved (n=31) first-grade students, aged 6-8 years from an international school in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. Teachers evaluated the handwriting proficiency using the Handwriting Proficiency Screening Questionnaire (HPSQ), and the explored students were rated as proficient and non-proficient hand writers. Furthermore, therapists assessed students’ handwriting proficiency using the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment (MHA) (manuscript & D’Nealian styles) scores. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to assess the differences in MHA scores between proficient and non-proficient hand writers. Moreover, Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between the scores of MHA and HPSQ. Results: There was a significant difference in all component scores of MHA (except the rate) and both writing styles between the proficient and non-proficient writers (P<0.05). There was also a significant relationship between the MHA and the HSPQ scores (P<0.05). However, further analysis of these scales’ components suggested no significant association between teachers’ and therapists’ evaluation of the handwriting speed domain. Discussion: There was a significant relationship between the teacher’s and therapist’s evaluation of handwriting performance using standardized measures. Thus, therapists should work in collaboration with teachers to identify and treat handwriting difficulties in school children.

scholarly journals A Longitudinal Study of the Development of Automatic Recognition Skills in First Graders

1981 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith E. Stanovich ◽  
Anne E. Cunningham ◽  
Richard F. West
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
First Graders ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Testing Period ◽  
School Year ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Speed And Accuracy ◽  
High Frequency Words

Experiment 1 was a study in which three times during the school year (in September, February, and April) first graders performed a discrete-trial Stroop task in which they named the colors of stimuli that were either letters, high-frequency words, or low-frequency words. The amount of interference caused by these stimuli was assessed by comparing the naming times to a control condition where the subject named a series of X's. In each testing period the interference caused by letters exceeded that caused by high-frequency words. There was also a nonsignificant tendency for interference caused by high-frequency words to exceed that caused by low-frequency words. There was a marked increase in interference between September and February, but very little change between February and April, indicating that the automaticity function had already flattened out by the end of first grade. There was a tendency for better readers to display more interference and to show interference earlier in the year. Experiment 2 replicated the developmental trends displayed in Experiment 1 and explored the relationship between interference and the speed and accuracy with which subjects named the stimuli. The overall pattern of results in the two experiments was reasonably consistent with the automaticity model of reading developed by LaBerge and Samuels (1974).

scholarly journals Modeling the Causal Relationships among Test Anxiety, Working Memory, and Academic Achievement of Primary Stage Students in Oman in the Light of the Processing Efficiency Theory

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 238
Author(s):  
Sabry M. Abd-El-Fattah
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Test Anxiety ◽  
Central Executive ◽  
Phonological Loop ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Processing Efficiency ◽  
Efficiency Theory ◽  
Processing Efficiency Theory ◽  
The Relationship

This study aimed at investigating the relationships among test anxiety, working memory, and academic achievement in the light of the processing efficiency theory. The sample of the study included 159 fifth graders (84 females and 75 males) distributed over three public elementary schools in the Sultanate of Oman. Results of the mean testing analysis showed that the participants had high levels of worry and emotionality as well as overall test anxiety (both worry and emotionality). The results of the structural equation modeling analysis showed that (1) worry and emotionality had negative effects on central executive, phonological loop, and visuo-spatial sketch pad; (2) emotionality had a negative effect on the visuo-spatial sketch pad, and (3) central executive, phonological loop, and visuo-spatial sketch pad had positive effects on academic achievement. The results of the mediation analysis showed that the central executive and the phonological loop mediated the relationship between worry and academic achievement, and that the central executive, phonological loop, and visuo-spatial sketch pad mediated the relationship between emotionality and academic achievement. The results of the moderation analysis showed that gender was not a moderator of the relationships among worry, emotionality, central executive, phonological loop, visuo-spatial sketch pad, and academic achievement. 

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document