Nurturing the Mathematical Brain: Home Numeracy Practices Are Associated With Children's Neural Responses to Arabic Numerals

Disparities in home numeracy environments contribute to variations in children's mathematical skills. However, the neural mechanisms underlying the relation between home numeracy experiences and mathematical learning are unknown. Here, parents of 66 eight-year-olds completed a questionnaire assessing the frequency of home numeracy practices. Neural adaptation to the repetition of Arabic numerals and words was measured in children using functional MRI (n = 50) to assess how sensitive the brain is to the presentation of numerical and nonnumerical information. Disparities in home numeracy practices were related to differences in digit (but not word) processing in a region of the left intraparietal sulcus (IPS) that was also related to children's arithmetic fluency. Furthermore, digit-related processing in the IPS influenced the relation between home numeracy practices and arithmetic fluency. Results were consistent with a model hypothesizing that home numeracy practices may affect children's mathematical skills by modulating the IPS response to symbolic numerical information.

Automated summary

Disparities in home numeracy environments contribute to variations in children's mathematical skills, however, the neural mechanisms underlying this relationship are unknown. In this study, the researchers used a questionnaire and functional MRI to investigate the neural processes related to home numeracy practices and mathematical learning in children. The results showed that differences in home numeracy practices were related to differences in digit processing in a specific region of the brain, and this processing also influenced children's arithmetic fluency. These findings suggest that home numeracy practices may affect mathematical skills by modulating the brain's response to numerical information.