Praise and intelligence: The argument for process-based praise
Telling kids they are smart might seem like encouragement, but it can backfire. Learn about person praise, process praise, and intelligence.
Education
Tangrams for kids: Educational tips and a printable template
Tangram puzzles may boost spatial skills and enhance math skills. How to start? See these evidence-based tips about tangrams for kids.
School uniforms: What does the research tell us?
School uniforms may have benefits, but they don’t seem to boost morale or achievement. And for some kids, they may actually cause problems.
The Mozart effect: The truth behind the claims
Depending on how you define it, the Mozart effect either doesn’t exist, or is a weak phenomenon with an extremely misleading name. But studies do hint that music can make us feel more alert and focused, giving us a brief cognitive boost. It may also deliver health perks.
Online parenting studies: Research you can participate in
Want to participate in scientific research? Learn how you can help investigators answer questions related to parenting and child development.
Growth mindset: Does it really matter if kids believe in the power of practice and persistence?
What you believe about cognitive performance — the theory of intelligence that you adopt — can have brain-altering effects, and enhance your ability to learn. Yet programs designed to instill the right, “growth mindset” in students haven’t always worked. Why not?
How to prevent summer learning loss (and still have fun)
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.
Help kids learn math and science: The power of self-explanation
We can help kids learn math and science by harnessing the power of self-explanation. But there are pitfalls. Here’s how to make it work.
The effects of video games on school achievement
What are the effects of video games on school achievement? Certain types of gaming are linked with lower reading scores, but gaming may also have benefits.
Spaced learning: What’s the best schedule for children’s lessons?
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 in children: What parents and teachers need to know
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
Improving spatial skills in children and teens: 12 evidence-based tips
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.