Supporting preschoolers’ cognitive development: Short- and mid-term effects of fluid reasoning, visuospatial, and motor training
Valentina Gizzonio, Maria Chiara Bazzini, Cosima Marsella, Pamela Papangelo, Giacomo Rizzolatti, Maddalena Fabbri‐Destro
Abstract
Abstract Cognitive abilities are essential to children's overall growth; thus, the implementation of early and effective training interventions is a major challenge for developmental psychologists and teachers. This study explores whether an intervention simultaneously operating on fluid reasoning (FR), visuospatial, narrative, and motor abilities could boost these competencies in a group of Italian preschoolers (N = 108, 54 males 54 females, Agemean = 4.04). FR and visuospatial abilities showed training-related increases at the end of the training and 1-year follow-up (moderate effect size). Interestingly, positive correlations with working memory and mathematical abilities were found. Beyond their scientific relevance, the short- and long-term effects provide fundamental indications for designing and implementing educational programs dedicated to preschoolers.