Executive function effects and numerical development in children: Behavioural and ERP evidence from a numerical Stroop paradigm

►Grades 1-3 children access numerical representations from symbols almost as fast as adults, as measured by event-related brain potentials. ►Despite the very fast activation of numerical representations, children lag behind adults in numerical behaviour because they have more difficulties with inhibiting irrelevant information and with organizing their responses. ►This raises the intriguing possibility that developmental deficits in numerical behaviour could arise from difficulties in the inhibition of irrelevant information and in response organization rather than from difficulties in forming and gaining rapid access to numerical representations.