The effect of working memory training on working memory and arithmetic skills on children with attentional deficits and arithmetic learning difficulties

Abstract

Adequate arithmetic skills are important for academic and daily life functioning. Weak working memory skills cause a burden on how well a child can function in educational situations and therefore learn arithmetic. Working memory can be improved by training. The current study examined the effect of the working memory training Jungle Memory in improving arithmetic skills in children with arithmetic difficulties and attentional deficits. Also the improvement in verbal and visuo-spatial working memory after this training was studied. Against our expectations, we found that children who got the working memory training did not show improvement in verbal or visuo-spatial working memory afterwards. Furthermore, their arithmetic skills had not improved. Attention seems to play an important role in the cognitive domains involved in this research. Future studies should investigate the role of attention and look into a training method that focusses on training attentional skills in children with arithmetic deficits.