Space for Mathematics: Spatial cognition as a contributor to the development of mathematics skills in children

26th February 2019 : 17:00 - 18:30

Category: Seminar

Speaker: Dr Katie Gilligan (School of Psychology, University of Surrey)

Location: Seminar Room K/L, Bruner Building C, Department of Education

A part of the Child Development and Learning (CDL) seminar series

There is evidence of associations between spatial skills and mathematics in pre-school and adult populations. However, relatively few studies explore these associations in primary school aged children. In this talk I will present both cross-sectional and longitudinal findings on the developmental relations between spatial and mathematical skills in children aged 5 to 10 years, exploring the specificity of these relations to certain spatial and mathematical sub-domains, and the sensitivity of the relations to developmental age. I will also outline evidence for the transfer of spatial training gains to mathematics, findings that suggest a causal role for spatial skills on mathematics outcomes in childhood. Taken together, the findings presented support the “spatialisation” of the primary school mathematics curriculum as a novel way of improving children’s mathematics outcomes.

About the Department of Education

In 2019, the University of Oxford’s Department of Education celebrates the 100th year since the passing of a statute creating what was known in 1919 as the University Department for the Training of Teachers. To celebrate our centenary a year-long series of activities will be delivered to address some of the department’s top initiatives for 2019, answer some of the big questions facing education today and to reveal the advancements the department has made to the study of and research in the field of education. Join us as we mark our 100th year and discover more about our anniversary here.

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