Educational games and toys for kids: Are they effective?
Parenting Science reviews the research. Which toys support the development of spatial intelligence? Can educational games teach math skills?
Education
Why toy blocks rock: The science of construction play
Toy blocks can help kids develop better motor skills, spatial skills, and math skills. But to unleash all of these skills, kids need to do more than move blocks around.
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.
Can preschool board games boost mathematics skills?
Studies suggest that children can learn math lessons from a preschool board game — if the game has these features.
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.
Paleontology and dinosaurs for kids: Tips for getting children hooked on science
Young dinosaur enthusiasts can learn surprisingly sophisticated concepts about biology and natural selection. Use your child’s interest in dinosaurs to teach lasting lessons about science.
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.
DIY Preschool math games that help kids develop “number sense”
These preschool math games have helped young children develop an intuitive understanding of numbers. Here’s how to make them, and how to play.
Preschool and kindergarten science activities about tracking animals
© 2009 – 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved These preschool and kindergarten science activities build on what most young children are already interested in — animals! And in addition to teaching lessons about biology, they also offer kids opportunities to practice analytical, spatial, and symbolic reasoning skills. Where to begin: Free exploration with … Continue reading
Preschool science experiment: Using ice to teach kids about scientific concepts (with crucial safety tips)
© 2008 – 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved A preschool science experiment is an opportunity to introduce children to the concepts of observation, prediction, and testing (Gelman and Brenneman 2004). Exciting? Yes. But it’s also tricky. On the one hand, research suggests that young children don’t think as creatively or as critically when … Continue reading
Choosing books for beginning readers: Sometimes less is more
© 2020 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved The most helpful books for beginning readers keep fancy details to a minimum, and this applies to imagery as well as to text. “Busy” illustrations can be distracting, and interfere with a young child’s reading comprehension. Books designed for new and emerging readers are sometimes very exciting … Continue reading
Stereotype threat: How exposure to stereotypes can hinder your chlid’s performance
© 2020 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Children notice stereotypes about race, gender, and wealth. And their awareness of these stereotypes is distracting — so much so that it can actually interfere with learning and academic performance. But we can help kids overcome the threat. Here’s what every parent needs to know. The everyday … Continue reading