Abstract

Spatial ability is a form of intelligence where a person demonstrates the capacity to mentally generate, transform, and rotate a visual image and thus understand and recall spatial relationships between real and imagined objects. The aim of this paper is three-fold: (1) to review related empirical studies on spatial abilities for young children from 1999 to 2022; (2) to underscore the significance of spatial abilities and effective strategies that can be used to foster in young children; and (3) to highlight the need for a broader understanding for teaching spatial reasoning abilities to young children. A two-phase literature review was conducted. The first focused on grouping studies according to the common areas they dealt with. The second focused on identifying major themes. Three major themes emerged from the literature: spatial skills innate to young children, children’s perception of space, and their mediation strategies. There are two implications of these themes for early childhood practitioners. The first is for them to recognize the importance of spatial reasoning for fostering quantitative reasoning in young children. The second is to implement age-appropriate strategies to foster spatial abilities and skills in young children. Recommendations for further studies are also provided.

摘要

空间能力是一种智力形式，一个人展示了在精神上产生、转换和旋转视觉图像的能力，从而理解和回忆真实物体和想象物体之间的空间关系。本文的目的有三个：（1）回顾 1999 年至 2022 年幼儿空间能力的相关实证研究；(2) 强调空间能力的重要性以及可用于培养幼儿的有效策略；(3) 强调需要更广泛地了解向幼儿教授空间推理能力。进行了两阶段的文献回顾。第一个侧重于根据他们处理的共同领域对研究进行分组。第二个重点是确定主要主题。文献中出现了三个主要主题：幼儿与生俱来的空间技能、儿童对空间的感知以及他们的调解策略。这些主题对幼儿从业者有两个含义。首先是让他们认识到空间推理对于培养幼儿定量推理的重要性。第二是实施适合年龄的策略，以培养幼儿的空间能力和技能。还提供了进一步研究的建议。第二是实施适合年龄的策略，以培养幼儿的空间能力和技能。还提供了进一步研究的建议。第二是实施适合年龄的策略，以培养幼儿的空间能力和技能。还提供了进一步研究的建议。