The incidence of visual-motor processes in the acquisition of orthographic representations in Spanish-speaking schoolchildren ( La incidencia de los procesos perceptivo-motrices en la adquisición de las representaciones ortográficas en escolares hispanoparlante )

Abstract

This study analyses the relative incidence of visual-motor processes compared to other cognitive processes involved in spelling, to understand its relevance in orthography acquisition in school-aged children when contextual variables are controlled for and there has been explicit instruction. A sample of 96 students between third and sixth grade of primary education was divided into two groups according to their spelling performance (low and high performance). They were all assessed in rapid naming, vocabulary, visual and auditory working memory, visual-motor integration and intelligence. Results show that visual-motor integration and auditory working memory differentiate the low and high performance groups, being the variables that best predict spelling. The relationship between auditory working memory and visual-motor integration appears to establish when the word is being incorporated into the child’s lexicon. These results have important educational implications referred to teaching spelling through handwriting when its use is being debated against the use of digital technologies for writing acquisition.