The effect of mathematical learning  difficulties on mathematical  creativity in primary school children

The current study researched whether mathematical learning difficulties (MLD) affects mathematical creativity (MC) in children from grade 3 to grade 5 aged 7 to 12 years old. Earlier research has shown that important predictors of mathematical ability (MA) were found to be number sense, creativity and working memory. Other studies found that students with creative talent turned out to have more cognitive resources than academically gifted mathematics students. In the current study it was hypothesized that the mean composite score of MC is lower in the MLD group compared to the TD group. MC was measured by three components: originality, flexibility and fluency. Also, it was hypothesized that the scores for fluency, flexibility and originality are lower in the MLD group compared to the typically developing (TD) group. A distinction was made between children with MLD, which included 35 participants, and typically developing (TD) children, including 318 participants. An ANOVA was...Show moreThe current study researched whether mathematical learning difficulties (MLD) affects mathematical creativity (MC) in children from grade 3 to grade 5 aged 7 to 12 years old. Earlier research has shown that important predictors of mathematical ability (MA) were found to be number sense, creativity and working memory. Other studies found that students with creative talent turned out to have more cognitive resources than academically gifted mathematics students. In the current study it was hypothesized that the mean composite score of MC is lower in the MLD group compared to the TD group. MC was measured by three components: originality, flexibility and fluency. Also, it was hypothesized that the scores for fluency, flexibility and originality are lower in the MLD group compared to the typically developing (TD) group. A distinction was made between children with MLD, which included 35 participants, and typically developing (TD) children, including 318 participants. An ANOVA was performed. The results showed that the mean composite score of MC was lower for the MLD group compared to the TD group. For the three components, the MLD group scored lower on all components indicating that having MLD has a negative relation with MC. The study is of importance to support children with MLD by providing more multiple solution tasks in the classroom. This teaches them how to be mathematically creative and in turn supports their MA. More research is still necessary to research the specific direction of the relation and other possible factors influencing the relation.Show less

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The effect of mathematical learning difficulties on mathematical creativity in primary school children