Understanding how children learn to connect spoken and written language

Behavioral and neural measures of phonological-to-orthographic transfer in young children

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-10984620

This study is looking at how young kids, especially those who haven't learned to read yet, connect the sounds they hear in speech with the letters they see in writing, to help us understand how they learn to read better.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-10984620 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how young children, particularly those who are pre-literate, learn to connect sounds in spoken language with their written forms. By examining the statistical patterns in language exposure, the study aims to uncover how these patterns influence literacy development. The research employs behavioral and neural measures, including EEG, to assess how children process auditory and visual language information. This could provide insights into the cognitive mechanisms that support reading skills in early childhood.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years, particularly those who are pre-literate or have recently begun learning to read.

Not a fit: Children who are already proficient readers or those outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance literacy development strategies for young children, leading to improved reading skills.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the links between auditory and visual language processing, but this specific focus on pre-literate children is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

New Haven, 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.