What is the “spaced learning” effect? If your child needs to learn something — and you want that learning to stick — the best approach is to space learning sessions apart in time. A single, long lesson is usually less effective than multiple, shorter lessons. Moreover, the ideal duration of a lesson may be much briefer than we realize — particularly for young children.
Working memory is often likened to RAM in a computer. The more you have, the more information you can juggle at once — allowing for faster processing. But of course we humans can’t improve our memory capacity by installing a new RAM stick. Nor can we expect new humans to perform at the highest level … Continue reading
Spatial skills are crucial for success in STEM and the visual arts. So what can we do help kids develop strong spatial reasoning abilities? Happily, a growing body of research points the way. Improving spatial skils is possible through a combination of physical exploration, spatial, talk, hands-on activities, and explicit instruction.
There are many ways to play with blocks. One approach — structured block play — may be especially helpful for promoting STEM achievement.
STEM books for kids? Math and science games? Resources to get kids thinking, coding, building? Recommendations from Parenting Science.
During summer break, kids can forget what they’ve learned at school, falling months behind. But studies suggest we can prevent summer learning loss. Here’s how.
Want to participate in scientific research? Learn how you can help investigators answer questions related to parenting and child development.
Naps help babies learn and remember. In fact, babies may require timely naps to transfer new information and skills into long-term memory. Does this mean we should be forcing our babies to take lots of naps? No. But we should treat naps with respect…and realize that the last hour (or so) before sleep is prime time for learning.
Teaching kids to count is a good start, but it isn’t enough. Children also need to develop “number sense,” an intuitive feeling for the actual amount associated with a given number. Where does number sense come from, and what can we do to make sure kids really learn the concept of number? Check out these preschool number activities.
What are the cognitive benefits of play? Read what scientific studies reveal about play and the developing brain.
Are kids confused by fairy tales? Is reading fantasy fiction a waste of time? No. Studies suggest fantasy can boost creativity, learning, and self-regulation.
Parenting Science reviews the research. Which toys support the development of spatial intelligence? Can educational games teach math skills?