Empowering visuo-spatial ability in primary school: results from a follow-up study

Abstract

The current study was primarily aimed at verifying the effect of a combined computer-assisted and pencil-and-paper training that was developed to empower visuo-spatial abilities in primary school pupils. One hundred and twenty third grade (mean average: eight years old) and fourth grade (mean age: nine years old) students attending several Italian primary schools were presented with several tests of the Primary Mental Abilities (PMA) battery by Thurstone and Thurstone. Of these, 64 children underwent the training “Recovery in visuo-spatial abilities” developed by Fastame and Antonini for 15 weekly sessions. The remaining students were assigned to the control group. Post-test scores and a follow-up assessment after six months by the end of the training highlight the positive impact of the intervention in enhancing visuo-spatial abilities.

Keywords:

• visuo-spatial abilities
• psychoeducational intervention
• primary school
• training
• empowerment

Acknowledgements

A preliminary version of this study was presented at the 36th Annual Conference of the International School Psychology Association in Kaunas (Lithuania), 15–18 July 2014.

The first author gratefully acknowledges Sardinia Regional Government for the financial support (P.O.R. Sardegna F.S.E. Operational Programme of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, European Social Fund 2007–2013 – Axis IV Human Resources, Objective l.3, Line of Activity l.3.1 “Avviso di chiamata per il finanziamento di Assegni di Ricerca” [“Call to sponsor research fellowships”].

The authors thank the schools and the children who participated in the study.