This study aims to investigate to what extent a game that trains spatial skills, can affect mathematical performance of young children. The game was developed as a combination between the classic version of Tetris and Dominos, which spawned the name Trinos. The main goal of the game was to earn points, by positioning falling shapes on the table, in order to match blocks with the same number of spots on it, or to complete a line.
The testing procedure took place at the Esbjerg International School with a 4th grade class of 20 children with the age between eight and nine year old. The children played the game fifteen minutes a day, for a period of four days, and their scores were saved for further analysis. As measurement tools for assessing their mathematics and mental rotation level, tests were given both before and after the entire training period.
The gathered data was analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test, for observing if there was a significant difference between the repeated measurements. Also, the Spearman’s Rank Correlation coefficient was used in order to assess the level of correlation between the game score and the results from math exercises and mental rotation test.
The obtained results showed no significant effect on players’ math abilities, but revealed a positive improvement in the mental rotation tasks. Moreover, the game score appeared to have high level of correlation with children’s spatial skills, and a moderate one with the math results.