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Working Memory and Mathematical Learning

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International Handbook of Mathematical Learning Difficulties

Abstract

Working memory (WM) is a complex cognitive system responsible for the concurrent storage and processing of information. The WM plays a key role in everyday life as well as at school for typically developing children as much as for individuals with cognitive disabilities. Poor working memory skills are relatively commonplace in childhood and have a substantial advance impact on children’s learning. Recent studies show that complex cognitive tasks, such as mental arithmetic, clearly place demands on working memory: we have to remember partial results while monitoring the progress through a multistep calculation. This chapter describes the growing body of knowledge regarding the relationships between working memory and mathematical learning. In particular, we present the contribution of the three core components of working memory (phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, and central executive) to the development of mathematical skills such as calculation and problem-solving. Finally, the malleability of WM is discussed, with a focus on implication for mathematical development and mathematics curricula.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy

    Maria Chiara Passolunghi

  2. Department of Psychology, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK

    Hiwet Mariam Costa

Authors
  1. Maria Chiara Passolunghi
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  2. Hiwet Mariam Costa
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Correspondence to Maria Chiara Passolunghi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany

    Annemarie Fritz

  2. Faculty of Education, Centre for Education Practice Research, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Annemarie Fritz

  3. Departamento de Psicologia, Faculdade de Filosofia e CiĂŞncias Humanas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Vitor Geraldi Haase

  4. Niilo Mäki Institute, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Pekka Räsänen

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Passolunghi, M.C., Costa, H.M. (2019). Working Memory and Mathematical Learning. In: Fritz, A., Haase, V.G., Räsänen, P. (eds) International Handbook of Mathematical Learning Difficulties. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97148-3_25

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97148-3_25

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