U.Va. researchers receive $1M to study connection between fine motor and math skills
By Daily News Leader
October 28, 2009
The Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia has received a $1 million federal stimulus grant distributed by the National Institutes of Health. Principal research scientist David Grissmer and senior scientist Andrew Mashburn will study the connection between fine motor skills and mathematical skills.
"Recent research studies of kindergarteners show that the most powerful predictor of later school success – in both reading and math – is a child's early understanding of math concepts," Mashburn said.
Three other variables also predict later success on math scores, Grissmer said: attentional skills, accurate observations of the worldly environment and fine motor skills.
"While the other variables were expected, fine motor skills was a surprise," Grissmer said. "Historically, motor and cognitive development have been considered as relatively independently developing skills, but recent evidence suggests that they are inextricably intertwined."
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