文章基本信息

标题：Training basic numerical skills in children with Down syndrome using the computerized game “The Number Race”
本地全文：下载
作者：Francesco Sella ; Sara Onnivello ; Maristella Lunardon 等
期刊名称：Scientific Reports
电子版ISSN：2045-2322
出版年度：2021
卷号：11
期号：1
页码：2087
DOI：10.1038/s41598-020-78801-5
出版社：Springer Nature
摘要：Abstract Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) present reduced basic numerical skills, which have a negative impact on everyday numeracy and mathematical learning. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of the adaptive (non-commercial) computerized game “The Number Race” in improving basic numerical skills in children with DS. The experimental group (EG; N = 30, M age-in-months 118, range 70–149) completed a training playing with “The Number Race”, whereas children in the control group (CG; N = 31, M age-in-months 138, range 76–207) worked with software aiming at improving their reading skills. The training lasted 10 weeks with two weekly sessions of 20–30 min each. We assessed both groups’ numerical and reading skills before and immediately after the end of the training, as well as at a 3-months follow-up. We found weak evidence for post-training groups differences in terms of overall numeracy score. However, the EG displayed substantial improvements in specific numerical skills and in mental calculation, which were maintained over time, and no improvement in reading. Conversely, the CG showed improvements in their reading skills as well as in number skills but to a lesser extent compared to the EG. Overall, “The Number Race” appears as a suitable tool to improve some aspects of numeracy in DS.