Research -- StepUp to Learn

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

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.

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.

Kindergarten difficulties may predict academic achievement across primary grades

Kindergarten difficulties may predict academic achievement across primary grades

New research suggests deficits in executive functions in kindergarten increase the risk for experiencing repeated academic difficulties in mathematics, reading and science from first to third grade.

Case Study: Developmental Coordination Disorder

Case Study: Developmental Coordination Disorder

Emily is an eight year old in the third grade at a private school. She does not receive any special education services through the local school district. Emily was conceived as a result of in vitro fertilization and carried to full term. Developmentally, Emily was a late walker and an early talker. Significant health history includes fracturing the tibia at 12 months of age and again at 4. At birth she was diagnosed with Lordosis (curvature of the spine) and the presence of a sacral dimple. Emily had a few ear infections between the ages of 1 and 2 at which time she was considered for tubes.

Block play could improve your child’s math skills, executive functioning

Block play could improve your child’s math skills, executive functioning

Semi-structured block play among preschool-age children has the potential to improve two skills – mathematics and executive functioning – critical to kindergarten readiness, according a new study by Purdue University  researchers.

NeuroNet Success Stories: KidSense Therapy

NeuroNet Success Stories: KidSense Therapy

Marcia Washington, OTR/L, has been practicing pediatric occupational therapy for more than 10 years. She is the owner of KidSense Therapy, a sensory clinic providing occupational therapy for children birth to age 18 years in Pontotoc, Mississippi. We recently had the chance to catch up with Marcia and ask her about her experience using NeuroNet programs in her therapy practice:

Changing students' attitudes to mathematics improves test scores

Changing students' attitudes to mathematics improves test scores

Study shows for first time that a free, online course can change students' mindsets towards their mathematical abilities, leading to increased academic achievement

Want to help your child succeed in school? Add language to the math, reading mix

Want to help your child succeed in school? Add language to the math, reading mix

Research shows that the more skills children bring with them to kindergarten - in basic math, reading, even friendship and cooperation - the more likely they will succeed in those same areas in school. Hence, "kindergarten readiness" is the goal of many preschool programs, and a motivator for many parents. Now it's time to add language to that mix of skills, says a new University of Washington-led study.

 

Curiosity is key to early childhood success in math and reading

Curiosity is key to early childhood success in math and reading

Curious children are better able to grasp basic math and reading, according to a new study investigating a possible link between curiosity and early academic success among young children.

Early numeracy performance of young kids linked to specific math activities at home

Early numeracy performance of young kids linked to specific math activities at home

Counting, sorting and simple sums: More math activities at home might boost kids' early number processing and calculation skills.

Intentional teaching makes the biggest impact on early childhood outcomes

Intentional teaching makes the biggest impact on early childhood outcomes

A comprehensive review of research on several measures of the quality of early childhood education suggests that the instructional practices of preschool teachers have the largest impact on young children’s academic and social skills. The review helps untangle a complicated knot of factors that affect young children.

Engaging children in math at home equals a boost in more than just math skills

Engaging children in math at home equals a boost in more than just math skills

Preschool children who engage in math at home with their parents not only improve their math skills, but also their general vocabulary, according to research from Purdue University.