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Editorial
. 2022 Mar;40(1):151-169.
doi: 10.1111/bjdp.12396. Epub 2021 Sep 28.

The roles of different executive functioning skills in young children's mental computation and applied mathematical problem-solving

Sum Kwing Cheung  1 , Winnie Wai Lan Chan  2
Affiliations
Editorial

The roles of different executive functioning skills in young children's mental computation and applied mathematical problem-solving

Sum Kwing Cheung et al. Br J Dev Psychol. 2022 Mar.

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships of four executive functioning skills (including verbal working memory, spatial working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility) with young children's mental computation and applied mathematical problem-solving. Two hundred and twenty-five Chinese kindergarteners were tested with a battery of general cognitive, executive functioning and mathematics skills. Results showed that when children's age, gender, non-verbal intelligence, and listening comprehension skills were controlled, verbal working memory and cognitive flexibility were significant correlates of mental computation, whereas verbal working memory, spatial working memory, and cognitive flexibility were significant correlates of applied mathematical problem-solving. Inhibitory control was not significantly associated with the two domains of mathematics under investigation. The findings highlight the differential roles of different executive functioning skills in early mathematical skills and offer practical implication for helping young children in learning complex mathematical skills.

Keywords: cognitive flexibility; executive functioning; inhibitory control; mathematical problem-solving; mental computation; working memory; young children.

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References

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