Neural oscillations during predictive sentence processing in young children

Abstract

The neural correlates of predictive processing in language, critical for efficient sentence comprehension, is well documented in adults. Specifically, adults exhibit alpha power (9–12 Hz) suppression when processing high versus low predictability sentences. This study explores whether young children exhibit similar neural mechanisms. We analyzed EEG data from 29 children aged 3–5 years listening to sentences of varying predictability. Our results revealed significant neural oscillation differences in the 5–12 Hz range between high and low predictability sentences, similar to adult patterns. Crucially, the degree of these differences correlated with children’s language abilities. These findings are the first to demonstrate the neural basis of predictive processing in young children and its association with language development.