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Research -- StepUp to Learn

Reading With Toddlers Reduces Harsh Parenting, Enhances Child Behavior

Reading With Toddlers Reduces Harsh Parenting, Enhances Child Behavior

People who regularly read with their toddlers are less likely to engage in harsh parenting and the children are less likely to be hyperactive or disruptive.
Posted in Attention, Engagement, Reading Skills, Social Skills

Fifteen minutes of exercise creates optimal brain state for mastering new motor skills

When asked to repeat the same task 24-hours later, participants those who had exercised for 15 minutes used far fewer brain resources than those who rested.
Posted in Attention, Engagement, Movement & Exercise, Neuroscience

Separate brain systems cooperate during learning, study finds

Separate brain systems cooperate during learning, study finds

Reinforcement learning and working memory, previously interpreted as working independently or as competing with each other in the learning process, may actually work together as people learn new tasks.
Posted in Attention, Education, Engagement, Memory

Simple Directions From Parents Can Guide Children’s Discovery

Simple Directions From Parents Can Guide Children’s Discovery

Simple cues from parents for their children to either “explain” or “explore” influences learning behavior and abilities, particularly as it relates to scientific reasoning.
Posted in Attention, Engagement, Motivation

Colored filter improves dyslexic children's reading speed

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

Do persistent babies make for successful adults?

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

Babies who hear two languages at home develop advantages in attention

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

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

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

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

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

The powerful impact of real-world learning experiences for kids

The powerful impact of real-world learning experiences for kids

Researchers found that 4- to 9-year-old kids knew more about how animals are classified after a four-day camp at a zoo. It wasn’t that children who attended just knew more facts about animals, the researchers noted. The camp actually improved how they organized what they knew – a key component of learning.

Posted in Attention, Education, Engagement, Memory, Motivation

Attention Deficit Disorders Could Stem from Impaired Brain Coordination

Attention Deficit Disorders Could Stem from Impaired Brain Coordination

Researchers have discovered how two brain regions work together to maintain attention, and how discordance between the regions could lead to attention deficit disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression.

Posted in Attention, Memory