Effects of grade, academic performance, and sex on spatial working memory and attention in primary school children: a cross-sectional observational study

Abstract Objective: Only a few studies have investigated the development trends in spatial working memory and attention among a large sample of primary school students over a wide range of ages, while the efficiency of learning and memory processes is fundamental to academic performance, particularly for children, who are in a key developmental stage when their life opportunities can be altered. We aimed to explore how the spatial working memory and attention of primary school children are affected by grade, academic performance, and sex. Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, students (144 boys, 139 girls, 6–13 years old) were recruited from Experimental Primary School Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University in Shanghai, China in 2018. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Bio-Ethics Board of the Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Based on a simple Spatial Working Memory and Attention Test on Paired Symbols test, we evaluate 283 participants’ working memory and attention ability. Results: Attention and working memory performance were enhanced as a positive function of grade in primary school children, and students who showed better academic achievement also performed better on the working memory task. However, attention and working memory performance were not affected by sex. Conclusion: Attention and working memory performance of primary school students develop with grade and corresponds to Better academic performance. Attention and working memory ability do not differ significantly between boys and girls.