Size and structure of children’s brains can affect the way they learn

Science News : The size of the hippocampus, the brain region associated with learning and memory, can be important in how fast children learn math skills, according to a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. For their study, Vinod Menon of Stanford University and colleagues focused on children in the third grade, because that is considered a critical age for the learning of basic arithmetic skills. They tested IQ and math and reading performance in 24 8- and 9-year-olds and took MRI scans of their brains. All the children then underwent eight weeks of one-on-one math tutoring. The researchers noticed that “the speed and accuracy of arithmetic problem solving increased with tutoring, with some children improving significantly more than others.” Although neither IQ nor measured mathematical ability appeared to predict how a child would perform, those with the largest hippocampuses showed the most improvement. The researchers hope the findings will help educators tailor math tutoring to individual children as opposed to the one-size-fits-all approach currently in use.