Investigating how children learn letters and numbers
Official title: CRCNS: Dense longitudinal neuroimaging to evaluate learning in childhood
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-11177310 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how first graders learn to recognize letters and numbers by using special brain imaging techniques, and it aims to help improve teaching methods for young kids by understanding how they interact with educational shows like Sesame Street.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | October 1, 2024 |
| Project end | September 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $107,073 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HD114489-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11177310 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation include children aged 0-11 years, particularly those in the first grade.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in the early childhood age range or who are not currently learning letters and digits may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the learning processes in early childhood, particularly how children develop skills in recognizing letters and digits during the first grade. By using advanced neuroimaging techniques, the study aims to capture critical moments of learning that are often overlooked. The project will create a unique collection of images from educational content, such as Sesame Street, to analyze how children interact with visual information. This knowledge could inform better educational strategies and tools for teaching literacy and numeracy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved educational methods that enhance reading and math skills in young children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using neuroimaging to study learning processes, indicating that this approach has potential for valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vinci-Booher, Sophia — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Vinci-Booher, Sophia
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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.