Investigating how children learn letters and numbers

CRCNS: Dense longitudinal neuroimaging to evaluate learning in childhood

NIH-funded research Vanderbilt University · NIH-11177310

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVanderbilt University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11177310 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include children aged 0-11 years, particularly those in the first grade.

Not a fit: 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.

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 performed: 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

Nashville, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.