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Visuomotor integration and executive functioning are uniquely linked to Chinese word reading and writing in kindergarten children

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Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined the associations of visuomotor integration and executive functioning with Chinese word reading and writing in kindergarten children. A total of 369 Chinese children (mean age = 57.99 months; 55% of them were girls) from Hong Kong, China, completed tasks on visuomotor integration, executive functioning, and Chinese word reading and writing. Children also completed tasks on rapid automatized naming, and their mothers provided child and family background information. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that, controlling for child age, gender, and rapid automatized naming and maternal education, both visuomotor integration and executive functioning were uniquely linked to Chinese word reading and writing. Findings highlighted the importance of visuomotor integration and executive functioning in understanding the development of Chinese word reading and writing in early years, and the utility of targeting visuomotor integration and executive functioning to help kindergarten children to learn to read and write in Chinese.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a grant by Research Grants Council, University Grants Committee, Hong Kong, to Chun Bun Lam (ECS 28401714). We thanked the undergraduate assistants and faculty collaborators for their help in conducting this study, as well as the participating preschools and families for their time and insight about family relationships and child development.

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  1. Department of Early Childhood Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Room 36, 1/F, Block B2, 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong

    Kevin Kien Hoa Chung, Chun Bun Lam & Ka Chun Cheung

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  1. Kevin Kien Hoa Chung
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Correspondence to Kevin Kien Hoa Chung.

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Chung, K.K.H., Lam, C.B. & Cheung, K.C. Visuomotor integration and executive functioning are uniquely linked to Chinese word reading and writing in kindergarten children. Read Writ 31, 155–171 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11145-017-9779-4

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