Mental rotation of 3D objects is linked to motor skills in preschoolers

Mental rotation (MR), a predictor of later academic success, involves mentally visualising and manipulating objects in space, and emerges early in life. While two-dimensional mental rotation (2D-MR) in preschoolers has been investigated, three-dimensional mental rotation (3D-MR) development and its link to motor skills remain unexplored during this crucial period. This study examined 3D-MR and its relation to fine and gross-motor skills in 39 younger (4.6-5.5 years; 15 males) and 29 older (5.6-6.5 years; 16 males) preschoolers. We developed an MR Block Task consisting of mirrored 3D Shepard-Metzler objects and a box with a corresponding cut-out. Children (i) identified the object that they thought would fit into the box (perception phase) and (ii) fit it into the box (action phase). Concurrently, motor skills were assessed. Results revealed age-related improvements in 3D-MR. While gross-motor skills significantly predict 3D-MR in both age groups, fine-motor skills were associated with 3D-MR in older preschoolers.