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Research -- StepUp to Learn

Preschoolers Can’t See the Mountains for the Cat

Preschoolers Can’t See the Mountains for the Cat

Even when told to pay attention to the mountain in this photo, preschool children focus so much on the cat that they won’t later recognize the same mountain. Why?
Posted in Attention, Language, Learning & Memory, Memory, Neuroscience

Why Writing By Hand Makes Kids Smarter

Why Writing By Hand Makes Kids Smarter

New brain research shows that writing by hand helps children learn more and remember better. At the same time, schools are becoming more and more digital.
Posted in Attention, Education, Handwriting, Learning & Memory, Memory

Young Children Would Rather Explore Than Get Rewards

Young Children Would Rather Explore Than Get Rewards

Young children will pass up rewards they know they can collect to explore other options, a new study suggests. Researchers found that when adults and 4- to 5-year-old children played a game where certain choices earned them rewards, both adults and children quickly learned what choices would give them the biggest returns. But while adults then used that knowledge to maximize their prizes, children continued exploring the other options.
Posted in Attention, Engagement, Motivation, Social Skills

Academic Achievement Is Influenced by How Pupils 'Do' Gender at School

Academic Achievement Is Influenced by How Pupils 'Do' Gender at School

Pupils' achievements at school are often shaped by the way that they 'act out' specific gender roles, according to a new study which warns against over-generalizing the gender gap in education.
Posted in Attention, Education, Engagement, Motivation, Social Development

Playtime with Dad May Improve Children's Self-Control

Playtime with Dad May Improve Children's Self-Control

Children whose fathers make time to play with them from a very young age may find it easier to control their behavior and emotions as they grow up.
Posted in Attention, Education, Movement & Exercise, School Readiness, Social Development, Social Skills

Young Children Can Learn Math Skills from Intelligent Virtual Characters

Young Children Can Learn Math Skills from Intelligent Virtual Characters

A new study examined whether young children’s verbal engagement with an onscreen interactive media character could boost their math skills. 
Posted in Attention, Education, Engagement, Mathematics

Achievement Gaps May Explain Racial Overrepresentation in Special Education

Achievement Gaps May Explain Racial Overrepresentation in Special Education

School districts may be flagged as over-identifying students of color as having disabilities when other factors, such as achievement gaps, may explain these disparities.
Posted in Attention, Education, Engagement, Mathematics, Motivation, Reading Skills, School Readiness

Moderate Exercise Can Benefit Memory Performance

Moderate Exercise Can Benefit Memory Performance

Moderate intensity exercise such as brisk walking, water aerobics or cycling can have the most beneficial effect on memory performance.
Posted in Attention, Education, Engagement, Learning & Memory, Movement & Exercise

Testing During Studying Improves Memory and Inference

Testing During Studying Improves Memory and Inference

Learning something new? Take a test! Research shows that taking a test is more effective than other ways of studying when learning and making inferences.
Posted in Attention, Education, Engagement, Learning & Memory, Memory, Neuroscience

Mother Nature: Reshaping Modern Play Spaces for Children’s Health

Mother Nature: Reshaping Modern Play Spaces for Children’s Health

A world first review of the importance of nature play could transform children’s play spaces, supporting investment in city and urban parks, while also delivering important opportunities for children’s physical, social and emotional development.
Posted in Attention, Engagement, Health & Wellness, Neuroscience, School Readiness, Social Development

A Smart Jump­suit Provides In­for­ma­tion on In­fants’ Move­ment and De­vel­op­ment

A Smart Jump­suit Provides In­for­ma­tion on In­fants’ Move­ment and De­vel­op­ment

A new innovation makes it possible, for the first time, to quantitatively assess children’s spontaneous movement in the natural environment.
Posted in Attention, Language, Movement & Exercise, Neuroscience, Speech, Technology

When It's Story Time, Animated Books Are Better for Learning

When It's Story Time, Animated Books Are Better for Learning

Digital storybooks that animate upon a child's vocalization offer beneficial learning opportunities, especially for children with less developed attention regulation.
Posted in Attention, Engagement, Reading Skills