Phonological decoding, verbal knowledge, visuo-spatial STM/WM, spatial orientation and trail-making performance are robust simultaneous predictors of math in 9-year-olds¶
Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · associationalr2·q3
Currency · newest study 2014 · checked against its sources 2026-10-17 (automated, 1 of 1 entry) · not reviewed by a person
Subclaims¶
Reading the evidence codes
q is the design tier, i the impact, n the sample, and the kind with its r
the rigour judged within that kind: what each code means.
This claim: no standardized effect is recorded in observations/ for it yet, so no benchmark reading is possible.
q3 i? In a simultaneous regression with 98 children, Dot Matrix, visual WM, Phonological Decoding, Spatial Orientation and Trail-making were significant predictors of math, explaining 65% of variance. → Szűcs Dénes 2014
Evidence¶
Szűcs Dénes 2014¶
Szűcs Dénes, Devine Amy, Soltesz Fruzsina, Nobes Alison, Gabriel Florence. (2014). Cognitive components of a mathematical processing network in 9-year-old children. Developmental Science. https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.12144
q3 · i? · associational · r2
Simultaneous multiple regression (M1) in 98 9-year-olds with normal reading skill, using permutation and bootstrap procedures; the initial nine-variable model "explained 65% of variance" with five significant predictors.
"The regression explained 65% of variance. Dot matrix, visual WM, Phonological Decoding, Spatial Orientation and Trail-making were significant predictors."
Discussion¶
Learner Variables¶
- Decoding — predictor: learners who differ on it differ in outcomes
- Phonological Awareness — predictor: learners who differ on it differ in outcomes
- Spatial Ability — predictor: learners who differ on it differ in outcomes
- Visual Processing — predictor: learners who differ on it differ in outcomes
Related Claims¶
- Visuo-spatial working memory and inhibition jointly predict mathematics performance in 9–10-year-old children — related
- Verbal STM/WM and several executive and sensorimotor measures show no robust relation with math in children with normal reading skill — reports the opposite
- The best math-predicting model is specific to mathematics; reading requires a different model — related
- Number sense measures are non-significant predictors of math once more robust predictors are included — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
- Short-term memory task profiles differ by age: 7–8-year-olds show no verbal–spatial difference, while 9–10-year-olds show a verbal > visuo-spatial > motor gradient. — related
- Working memory, processing speed, and verbal comprehension weaknesses are shared across reading and math deficits — related
- Children with developmental dyscalculia show impaired visuo-spatial short-term and working memory relative to matched controls — related
- Phonological awareness and verbal working memory are the most consistently unique domain general predictors of grade 1 math outcomes — related
Page metadata
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
type |
claim |
id |
executive-memory-predictors-of-math-9yo |
title |
Phonological decoding, verbal knowledge, visuo-spatial STM/WM, spatial orientation and trail-making performance are robust simultaneous predictors of math in 9-year-olds |
description |
Phonological decoding, verbal knowledge, visuo-spatial STM/WM, spatial orientation and trail-making performance are robust simultaneous predictors of math in 9-year-olds |
status |
review |
evidence_strength |
moderate |
newest_evidence |
2014 |
source_checked |
2026-10-17 |
generated |
by process:wiki-ingest on 2026-10-17 |
trust |
unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content |
sources |
1 — szűcs-dénes-2014 |
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