Study of mental rotation development in children

Many studies have shown that spatial abilities are associated with academic achievement and that childhood spatial activity predicts this ability in adulthood. But the key question is, what is the performance and speed of mental rotation in boys and girls of different grades?

The purpose of this study was to investigate the evolution of students' mental rotation.

This was a descriptive study. The statistical population consisted of Abik elementary and high school students in the academic year 2016-2017, who were selected by cluster random sampling method (400 male students (203 boys and 197 girls). Research tools include: Gannis & Kuwait Mental Rotation Computer Test (2015). Data analysis was performed using ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests.

The results showed that the ability of children's mental rotation in the first to eleventh grades was significant (p= 0/000). In both tests, male students were better than female students (p= 0/001) performance and(p= 0/008 speed of action). The pattern of mental rotation showed greater differentiation of fourth- to sixth-grade students, but the rate of deceleration from first to sixth graders and then higher speeds were higher in practice.

The model of mental rotation transformation can be an appropriate context for targeted educational programs.