title: Beat synchronization predicts neural speech encoding and reading readiness in preschoolers.
abstract: Temporal cues are important for discerning word boundaries and syllable segments in speech; their perception facilitates language acquisition and development. Beat synchronization and neural encoding of speech reflect precision in processing temporal cues and have been linked to reading skills. In poor readers, diminished neural precision may contribute to rhythmic and phonological deficits. Here we establish links between beat synchronization and speech processing in children who have not yet begun to read: preschoolers who can entrain to an external beat have more faithful neural encoding of temporal modulations in speech and score higher on tests of early language skills. In summary, we propose precise neural encoding of temporal modulations as a key mechanism underlying reading acquisition. Because beat synchronization abilities emerge at an early age, these findings may inform strategies for early detection of and intervention for language-based learning disabilities.
authors.affiliation: Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory and Departments of Communication Sciences.
authors.forename: Kali
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Woodruff Carr
authors.affiliation: Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory and Departments of Communication Sciences.
authors.forename: Travis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: White-Schwoch
authors.affiliation: Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory and Departments of Communication Sciences.
authors.forename: Adam T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Tierney
authors.affiliation: Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory and.
authors.forename: Dana L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Strait
authors.affiliation: Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory and Departments of Communication Sciences, Neurobiology and Physiology, and Otolaryngology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208 nkraus@northwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kraus
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003463:Cues; D004566:Electrodes; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D010700:Phonetics; D011932:Reading; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology*; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: auditory processing; cABR; rhythm; speech envelope; temporal processing