Early spatial thinking and how children learn math in early childhood
Official title: Early Spatial Cognition and the Neural Basis of Mathematics in Children
Funded at Carnegie-Mellon University · NIH-11393016 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Fun brain science with kids aged 4–8 to see how early brain patterns related to space and numbers relate to later math skills.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Carnegie-Mellon University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $161,573 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD107715-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393016 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 4 to 8 years who are participating in the study and whose families consent to a longitudinal brain-imaging protocol.
✕Less likely to help
Children who are not able to undergo MRI or who opt out of participation may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project follows children between ages 4 and 8 over time to see how their brains respond to spatial and numerical ideas using fMRI. Researchers will track changes in neural activity as kids develop math abilities and connect these brain patterns to classroom performance and everyday learning. The study also looks at whether boys and girls show similar or different neural development in math-related areas, using careful statistical methods. The work aims to link brain development with real-world math learning and behavior, social factors, and teaching activities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding brain development could lead to better instructions and early interventions to support children's math learning.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in this area are limited and methods have faced challenges, but this project builds on preliminary data and aims to advance understanding with rigorous new analyses.
Where this research is happening
-
Carnegie-Mellon University
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cantlon, Jessica F — Carnegie-Mellon University
- Study coordinator: Cantlon, Jessica F
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.