Research -- StepUp to Learn

Brain-Imaging Study Reveals Curiosity as it Emerges

Brain-Imaging Study Reveals Curiosity as it Emerges

In a first, researchers link subjective feelings of curiosity to the way the brain physically represents it.

The Key to a Balanced Brain

The Key to a Balanced Brain

Researchers found that high performing groups of children and youths had lower amounts of this than their peers of the same age.

Don't Love to Read? Try Reminiscing with Your Kids

Don't Love to Read? Try Reminiscing with Your Kids

To boost the quality of a preschooler’s language experience and skills, a new study provides an alternative to shared reading.

Teachers’ Growth Mindset Appears More Important Than Warmth

Teachers’ Growth Mindset Appears More Important Than Warmth

Students tend to like friendly teachers, but they like those who believe they can improve even more, new research indicates.

When Kids' Positive Attitude Towards Math Fades (And What To Do About It)

When Kids' Positive Attitude Towards Math Fades (And What To Do About It)

Children’s interest in, and competence perceptions of, mathematics are generally quite positive as they begin school, but turn less positive during the first three years. What can parents and educators do?

How To Get Students To Think (and Transform Your Classroom)

How To Get Students To Think (and Transform Your Classroom)

After a series of failed attempts at improving students’ problem solving in the classroom, one former teacher came up with the idea of building a ‘thinking classroom’ and a research project designed to find ways to help teachers build it.

What an Animated Taco Reveals About Curiosity and Patience

What an Animated Taco Reveals About Curiosity and Patience

New research shows how curiosity can prioritize the journey over the outcome.

High Engagement, High Return: The Secret to Student Success

High Engagement, High Return: The Secret to Student Success

What researchers found when they observed real classroom tasks and coded them for student engagement. 

Research Casts Doubt on This Longtime Academic Practice

Research Casts Doubt on This Longtime Academic Practice

This longtime academic practice has no impact—positive or negative—on reading development for elementary school students.

How Dopamine Hacks Decision Making

How Dopamine Hacks Decision Making

New insight into how dopamine controls learning and decision-making processes.

Whether a Task Feels ‘Easy’ or ‘Hard’ May Be Due to Dopamine

Whether a Task Feels ‘Easy’ or ‘Hard’ May Be Due to Dopamine

Why do physical efforts feel “easy” to some and exhausting to others? It may come down to the brain chemical dopamine (and why that matters).

Want to Increase Resiliency in Kids? Teach Creativity

Want to Increase Resiliency in Kids? Teach Creativity

Kids imagine themselves as different characters it builds creativity which can make them more resilient.