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Research -- StepUp to Learn

Report examines origins and nature of 'math anxiety'

by StepUp Staff

Report examines origins and nature of 'math anxiety'

Research reveals that teachers and parents may inadvertently play a role in a child's development of 'math anxiety' and that girls tend to be more affected than boys.
Posted in Education, Engagement, Mathematics, Motivation, School Readiness, Social Skills

How the arts can help students who struggle most

by StepUp Staff

How the arts can help students who struggle most

Researchers show that using artistic activities -- such as rhyming, movement, and drawing, -- helps students retain more of what they learn.

Posted in Education, Engagement, Memory, Reading Skills, Speech & Language

Colored filter improves dyslexic children's reading speed

by StepUp Staff

Colored filter improves dyslexic children's reading speed

Reading, one of the most difficult activities for children with dyslexia, can be improved by the use of a colored filter.
Posted in Attention, Engagement, Neuroscience, Reading Skills, Technology

Writing bursts: How important are spelling accuracy and handwriting speed?

by StepUp Staff

Writing bursts: How important are spelling accuracy and handwriting speed?

Researchers from the University of London found that spelling accuracy, handwriting speed, and frequent pausing for misspellings were significant predictors of the length and quality of children's writing bursts.
Posted in Education, Handwriting, Neuroscience, Speech & Language

Do persistent babies make for successful adults?

by StepUp Staff

Do persistent babies make for successful adults?

University of Washington researchers argue that greater study of infant persistence can shed light on the factors that instill persistence, and the outcomes that may emerge from it later in life.
Posted in Attention, Engagement, Motivation, Neuroscience

How much does culture influence young children's math abilities?

by StepUp Staff

How much does culture influence young children's math abilities?

Researchers from Japan's Hokkaido University compare 6 year old children’s ease with oral and written math problems to see if children's accuracy and comfort with math would be determined by their culture.

Posted in Education, Mathematics, School Readiness

Babies who hear two languages at home develop advantages in attention

by StepUp Staff

Babies who hear two languages at home develop advantages in attention

Six-month-old babies who are brought up hearing more than one language show advantages in early development of attention
Posted in Attention, Neuroscience, Speech & Language

Need to remember something? Better draw it, study finds

by StepUp Staff

Need to remember something? Better draw it, study finds

Researchers at the University of Waterloo have found that drawing pictures of information that needs to be remembered is a strong and reliable strategy to enhance memory.

Posted in Handwriting, Memory, Neuroscience, Speech & Language

Difficulties with audiovisual processing contribute to dyslexia in children

by StepUp Staff

Difficulties with audiovisual processing contribute to dyslexia in children

A University at Buffalo psychologist has published a neuroimaging study that could help develop tests for early identification of dyslexia, a disorder that affects 80 percent of those diagnosed with difficulties reading, writing and spelling.
Posted in Language, Neuroscience, Reading Skills, School Readiness

Connection of children to nature brings less distress, hyperactivity and behavioral problems

by StepUp Staff

Connection of children to nature brings less distress, hyperactivity and behavioral problems

University of Hong Kong study found that parents who saw their child had a closer connection with nature had less distress, less hyperactivity, fewer behavioral and emotional difficulties, and improved pro-social behavior. 
Posted in Attention, Health & Wellness, Motivation, Movement & Exercise, Social Skills

Intellectual Curiosity and Confidence Help Children Take on Math and Reading

by StepUp Staff

Intellectual Curiosity and Confidence Help Children Take on Math and Reading

Characteristics related to openness, such as intellectual curiosity and confidence, made children more adept to take on math and reading than characteristics describing conscientiousness, such as diligence and perseverance.
Posted in Attention, Education, Engagement, Mathematics, Memory, Motivation, Neuroscience, Reading Skills, School Readiness

Attention, please! Anticipation of touch takes focus, executive skills

by StepUp Staff

Attention, please! Anticipation of touch takes focus, executive skills

Inside the brain, the act of anticipating is an exercise in focus, a neural preparation that conveys important visual, auditory or tactile information about what’s to come. New brain research on 6 - 8 year olds shows not only this expectation in real time, but also how anticipation relates to executive function skills.

Posted in Attention, Neuroscience