The Relation Between Motor Development and Mental Rotation Ability in 5- to 6-Year-old Children

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Jansen, Petra | Heil, Martin

Note: [] Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Prof. Dr. Petra Jansen, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Email: Petra.Jansen@psk.uni-regensburg.de

Abstract: This study investigated the relation between motor development, intelligence and mental rotation ability in 5 to 6-year-old children. 80 children performed a standardized motor test (MOT 4-6), a paper-pencil mental rotation test (BIRT) and a non-verbal reasoning test (CPM). A multiple regression analysis revealed that intelligence and motor control abilities were significant and independent predictors of mental rotation performance.

Keywords: motor behavior, spatial performance, mental rotation, children

DOI: 10.3233/DEV-2010-4105

Journal: International Journal of Developmental Science, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 67-75, 2010