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.
Learning
How to support language development in babies
Babies possess amazing learning abilities. But to master language, they need our help. Studies suggest we can support language development by engaging babies in conversation, and by providing them with a variety of special cues and communicative experiences.
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.
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.
When do babies speak their first words? It varies!
Babies make lots of communicative noises, but coos, gurgles, and cries aren’t true speech. When do babies say their first words? Most babies can say at least one or two words by the end of their first year, but the timing may vary considerably from individual to individual.
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.
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
Baby talk 101: How infant-directed speech helps babies learn language
Many parents use infant-directed speech, a register that is exaggerated, emotional, melodic, and higher-pitched. Are their babies better off? Does it help babies learn language at an earlier age?
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.