Nicola Pitchford|Chiara Papini|Laura A. Outhwaite|Anthea Gulliford
Fine Motor Skills Predict Maths Ability Better than They Predict Reading Ability in the Early Primary School Years
University of Nottingham|University of Nottingham|University of Nottingham|University of Nottingham
fine motor skills long recognized important foundation development domains however precise insights role fine motor skills relationships skills mediating early educational achievements needed support development optimal educational interventions explored concurrent relationships two components fine motor skills fine motor precision fine motor integration early reading maths development two studies primary school children lowtomid socioeconomic status uk two key findings revealed first despite first 2 years primary school education significantly better performance found reading compared maths across studies may reflect protective effects recent nationallevel interventions promote early literacy skills young children uk similarly promoted maths second fine motor skills better predictor early maths ability early reading ability hierarchical multiple regression revealed fine motor skills significantly predict reading ability verbal shortterm memory taken account contrast fine motor integration remained significant predictor maths ability even influence nonverbal iq accounted results suggest fine motor skills pivotal role educational interventions designed support development early mathematical skills