Preschool math lessons: A developmental guide for the science-minded parent
A developmental guide to preschool math lessons for the science-minded parent.
Education
Evidence-based education: School topics for the science-minded
The need for evidence-based education When should kids start school? What should we teach them? How should we teach them? Where should we teach them? Research can help us answer these questions. And we should pay attention. When schools adopt the wrong programs and practices, money gets wasted. Students may get steered in directions that … Continue reading
Intelligence in children: Can we make our kids smarter?
© 2008-2013 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Intelligence-boosting products are big business: Books, toys, DVDs, software, games, and educational programs designed to make your child into an intellectual prodigy. Many of these products come with claims–explicit or implicit–that their usefulness is supported by scientific evidence. Are they really? Sometimes. For instance, as I’ve noted … Continue reading
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.
Teaching critical thinking: An evidence-based guide
© 2009-2012 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Teaching critical thinking? You might wonder if kids will work it out for themselves. After all, lots of smart people have managed to think logically without formal instruction in logic. Moreover, studies show that kids become better learners when they are forced to explain how they solve … Continue reading
Preschool science activities: How to nurture your child’s interest in the natural world
© 2008 – 2012 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Can we design better preschool science activities? Activities that stimulate curiosity, teach science concepts, and avoid overwhelming or boring children with lessons that are developmentally inappropriate? In the article below, I review the advice of educational and cognitive psychologists about preschool science education. But if … Continue reading
Board games for kids: Do they have educational benefits?
© 2009-2012 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved The benefits of board games for kids? Some are obvious. Kids enjoy playing them, and board games are opportunities for families to play together. In addition, social scientists have argued that games teach lessons about getting along with others (Kamii and DeVries 1980; Zan and Hildebrandt 2005). … Continue reading
Educational video games
Someday, educational video games may revolutionize the way we teach our kids. Are there any good games available now?
Homeschooling outcomes: How do they compare?
Homeschooling has received high marks…when parents provided structured lessons Are homeschooled students good students? When the topic comes up in conversation, people often cite studies showing that homeschoolers score higher on standardized tests. For instance, Eric Rudner analyzed the test scores of over 20,000 American homeschooled students and found them to be “exceptionally high—the median … Continue reading
Debate lessons improve critical thinking skills
© 2011 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Kids benefit when we teach them critical thinking skills. What’s the best way to do it? Studies suggest that explicit lessons in logic and reasoning are effective, so much so that they may actually improve a child’s IQ. But few kids encounter such lessons, even in high … Continue reading
Preschool science project: Floating and boating
© 2009 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved These activities allow kids to explore the concept of buoyancy. The first preschool project is that old standby — “floaters and sinkers.” The two that follow introduce children to the more complex activity of boat-building. To help kids develop a deeper understanding on the subject, tackle these activities in … Continue reading
Dirt Lab: Preschool science projects exploring soil and mud
These preschool science projects permit kids to explore the properties of different kinds of dirt and mud. Kids will make observations using their senses and some science tools, like a magnifying glass and some tweezers. Kids will also explore the concept of change as they turn dirt into mud—-and vice versa. Ideally, these preschool science … Continue reading