The ability to map number words to their corresponding quantity representations is a gatekeeper for children’s future math success (Spaepen et al., 2018). Without number word knowledge at school entry, children are at greater risk for developing math learning difficulties (Chu et al., 2019). In the present study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the neural basis for processing the meaning of spoken number words and its developmental trajectory in 4- to 10-year-old children, and in adults. In a number word-quantity mapping paradigm, participants listened to number words while simultaneously viewing quantities that were congruent or incongruent to the number word they heard. Whole brain analyses revealed that adults showed a neural congruity effect with greater neural activation for incongruent relative to congruent trials in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and left intraparietal sulcus (LIPS). In contrast, children did not show a significant neural congruity effect. However, a region of interest analysis in the child sample demonstrated age-related increases in the neural congruity effect, specifically in the LIPS. The positive correlation between neural congruity in LIPS and age was stronger in children who were already attending school, suggesting that developmental changes in LIPS function are experience-dependent.

将数字词映射到相应数量表示的能力是孩子未来数学成功的看门人（Spaepen 等人，2018 年）。如果在入学时没有数词知识，儿童出现数学学习困难的风险更大（Chu 等人，2019 年）。在本研究中，我们使用功能磁共振成像 (fMRI) 来检查处理口语数字词含义的神经基础及其在 4 至 10 岁儿童和成人中的发展轨迹。在数字词量映射范例中，参与者在听数字词的同时查看与他们听到的数字词一致或不一致的数量。全脑分析显示，相对于前扣带皮层 (ACC) 和左顶内沟 (LIPS) 的一致性试验，成年人表现出神经一致性效应，且神经激活更大。相比之下，儿童并没有表现出显着的神经一致性效应。然而，对儿童样本的感兴趣区域分析表明神经一致性效应随年龄增长而增加，特别是在 LIPS 中。在已经上学的儿童中，LIPS 的神经一致性与年龄之间的正相关性更强，这表明 LIPS 功能的发育变化依赖于经验。对儿童样本的感兴趣区域分析表明，神经一致性效应随年龄增长而增加，特别是在 LIPS 中。在已经上学的儿童中，LIPS 的神经一致性与年龄之间的正相关性更强，这表明 LIPS 功能的发育变化依赖于经验。对儿童样本的感兴趣区域分析表明，神经一致性效应随年龄增长而增加，特别是在 LIPS 中。在已经上学的儿童中，LIPS 的神经一致性与年龄之间的正相关性更强，这表明 LIPS 功能的发育变化依赖于经验。