Teacher delivered block construction training improves children’s mathematics performance

Farran, E.K. and Gilligan-Lee, K. and Mareschal, Denis and Zivkovic, M. and Bartusevica, S. and Jay, T. and Gilmore, C. (2025) Teacher delivered block construction training improves children’s mathematics performance. Mind, Brain, and Education , ISSN 1751-228X. (In Press)

Abstract

There is robust evidence for a causal association between spatial thinking and mathematics achievement. However, most research has been lab-based with spatial training delivered by researchers. We present a teacher delivered, whole-class 6-week spatial training study that involved professional development for practitioners coupled with teacher-led LEGO® block construction training for 6- to 7-year-olds. Using a quasi-experimental design, N=409 children completed the training and N=103 children formed a business-as-usual control group. For spatial ability and mathematics, but not spatial language, children in the training condition showed improved performance relative to controls. This finding extends evidence of the positive effects of spatial training to an ecologically valid, classroom-based, practitioner-delivered context. The findings suggest that classroom opportunities to engage in block building using pictorial instruction are an effective activity for mathematics improvement. Our findings have implications for school curricula where spatial thinking is largely absent; a spatialised mathematics curriculum could raise children’s mathematics attainment.

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