Khaberni - The math difficulties in children may stem from their trouble learning from mistakes, not just from their understanding of numbers. According to SciTechDaily, researchers at Stanford University, led by Hesang Chang, sought to understand why some children face more difficulty in learning math compared to others.
Numerical tasks and brain response
In a new research paper published in the journal JNeurosci, the research team studied how children deal with numerical tasks and how their brains respond during learning.
Performance tracking model
The participating children completed a series of experiments where they chose the larger number. Quantities were sometimes presented as written numbers, and other times as groups of dots. The researchers then built a model to track how each child's performance changed over time, instead of just looking at the right or wrong answers.
Learning difficulties
The model revealed a significant difference between children with natural mathematical skills and those who face difficulties. Children who struggle with math also struggled with modifying problem-solving strategies after making mistakes, even when facing different types of errors. Instead of updating their methods, their performance fluctuated between experiments.
Behavior modification areas
Brain imaging tests provided insights into why this pattern emerged. Children who faced difficulties in math showed weaker activity in brain areas responsible for performance monitoring and behavior modification. The researchers also found that decreased activity in these areas could predict whether a child was more likely to have typical or atypical mathematical abilities.
The problem isn’t just with the numbers
The findings suggest that math difficulties are not limited to understanding numbers alone. Some children may struggle because of their difficulty in revising their thinking while solving problems. According to Chang, "these difficulties are not necessarily limited to numerical skills but could apply to broader cognitive abilities including task performance monitoring and behavior adaptation as children learn."
Challenges in adapting strategies
Looking forward, the research team aims to test their model on larger groups of children, including those with other types of learning difficulties. The goal is to understand whether the challenges of adapting strategies play a broader role in how children learn in various academic subjects.
