Not actually angry: Black children and boys more frequently misjudged
Unconscious race biases can make us perceive anger where none exists. How many “behavior problems” in children are caused by adults getting it wrong?
Education
Music and intelligence: Do music lessions improve cognitive skills?
Music lessons may benefit a child’s general academic skills, but so too can art lessons. So does music training deliver any special cognitive benefits? Kids hone auditory skills that can help them decipher speech. And new research hints that certain kinds of music training might boost math and thinking skills. Here are the details. How … Continue reading
Suddenly homeschooling? Need a curriculum? Here’s how to get started.
Making the transition to educating your child at home? Here’s how to get started if you find yourself suddenly homeschooling — even if you haven’t yet worked out your ultimate plan.
Student-teacher relationships: Why emotional support matters
Supportive student-teacher relationships improve motivation, inspire achievement, and protect children from toxic stress. But many kids don’t get the chance to form such bonds.
Homework for young children: Is it justified?
Some schools assign homework to children as young as 5 or 6. But there isn’t any compelling research that homework for young children is helpful.
Critical thinking in children: Are we teaching our kids to be dumb?
© 2008 – 2019 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved In his review of the research, Stephen Norris notes that critical thinking in children is uncommon: “Most students do not score well on tests that measure ability to recognize assumptions, evaluate arguments, and appraise inferences” (Norris 1985). Why is critical thinking so difficult? Some argue … Continue reading
What’s wrong with classroom behavior charts: Why shaming backfires
What’s wrong with classroom behavior charts? Shaming is stressful, and it can make kids behave worse, not better.
How to stop bullying in school: An evidence-based guide to interventions that work
© 2008-2019 Gwen Dewar, all rights reserved Bullying in school is costly to everyone. Victims are traumatized. Bullies may become more anti-social over time. And bystanders are affected too. Living in a community that tolerates bullying is stressful, and it might make it harder for kids to learn. Researchers have found that kids earn higher … Continue reading
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?
Spatial intelligence: What is it, and how can we enhance it?
Spatial intelligence is crucial for success in many fields, ranging from science and engineering to construction and graphic design. Can we improve spatial skills? Experiments say yes.
Outdoor learning and green time: How kids benefit from learning and playing in nature
Outdoor learning benefits kids in many ways – reducing stress, lifting moods, & boosting concentration.
Help kids learn math and science: Ask them to explain and teach!
© 2009 – 2017 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Want to help kids learn math and science? Experiments suggest that kids can develop a deeper understanding of math and science concepts if we ask them to explain their thinking out loud. But for best results, we need to provide kids with crucial information…and ask … Continue reading