| |
Abstract:
Little is known about the neural development of children's
mathematical understanding. Recently, we (Case & Mueller, in
press) proposed that a major shift in behavioral and neural
organization takes place between the ages of four and six due to
the differentiation of existing systems and their integration into
a higher-order network. This new level of behavioral and neural
organization becomes apparent in the emerging ability of children
to compare and decide the larger of two numbers. We predicted from
our model that this new cognitive ability would be reflected in the
event-related potentials (ERP) by the emergence of a P3 component
in response to a number comparison task. To test our model, we
conducted an intervention study with kindergarten-aged children.
Thirty children participated for four months in a math program
(RIGHTSTART). Behavioral measures and ERP responses to a number
comparison paradigm were collected before and after the math
program. Analysis of the behavioral data shows an
intervention-related overall improvement of approximately 30%,
particularly on the number comparison task. Preliminary analysis of
the ERP data shows the emergence of a P3 component after the
intervention program. We suggest that, in line with our model, some
of the processes underlying number comparison are reflected in the
P3.
Supported by a grant from the McDonnell Foundation
|
