Taking Shape (Moss et al., 2016) and Spatial Reasoning in the Early Years (Davis and the Spatial Reasoning Study Group, 2015) are two resources that not only highlight the research in this field but also provide ideas for implementation within the classroom setting, providing a great starting point for those who might want to know more! See below for some highlights!
Spatial instruction will have a two for one effect that yields benefits in mathematics as well as the spatial domain. The relation between spatial ability and mathematics is so well established that it no longer makes sense to ask whether they are related. (Taking Shape, pg. 13)
According to the National Research Council, there is good evidence that spatial reasoning experiences at an early age contribute to children's development of both numerical and spatial/geometric concepts. (Taking Shape, pg. 10)
Studying geometry and spatial reasoning should be a high priority in mathematics classrooms because it builds the foundation for later problem-solving abilities. (Taking Shape, pg. 10)
No matter what the child's starting point was in terms of mathematics knowledge, the best predictor of mathematics performance at age 15 was the extent of the gains these children made in math from Kindergarten to the end of Grade 1. In other words, what children learn in mathematics between the ages of about four and a half and seven years sets the stage for their success at age 15. (Taking Shape, pg. 9)
Just as spatial reasoning can be learned, it can atrophy, and it can be developed at any age. (Davis, pg. 9)
More than two decades of research on spatial training found that a variety of activities improve spatial reasoning across all age groups. (Taking Shape, pg. 14)
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics recommends that at least 50% of mathematics instruction focus on spatial reasoning, yet local and international studies reveal that geometry and spatial sense receive the least amount of attention in early years math. (Taking Shape, pg. 15)
Some some children who may be struggling in the area of number sense may excel in the area of spatial reasoning. For most children, a spatial approach enhances their developing sense of number. When we focus on spatial reasoning, we highlight and invite the diverse strengths that children bring to school. (Taking Shape, p. 16)
