Do Individual Differences Impact How a Child Learns from Gesture?

Gestures are hand movements that accompany speech and express information. Research suggests gestures support learning in various domains, but not all individuals benefit equally. This study examines how individual differences, such as working memory, prior knowledge, and the propensity to see gesture as meaningful, shape learning outcomes from seeing versus doing gestures to learn the concept of linear measurement. We focus on measurement because it is a pillar of early math education that many children in the U.S. struggle to master. Our results will have implications for how gesture can be used most effectively as a teaching tool.