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Research -- StepUp to Learn

Curiosity is key to early childhood success in math and reading

by Jonathan Rowe

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.
Posted in Engagement, Mathematics, Motivation, Reading Skills, School Readiness

Eye exams linked to kids' reading levels

by Jonathan Rowe

Eye exams linked to kids' reading levels

Elementary school children who read below grade level may have challenges with their eyesight even if standard tests show they see 20/20, according to a new study from the University of Waterloo.

 

Posted in Reading Skills, School Readiness

Screen children with reading difficulties more thoroughly for hearing problems, says new report

by Jonathan Rowe

Screen children with reading difficulties more thoroughly for hearing problems, says new report

Children with reading difficulties should be more thoroughly screened for hearing problems, a new report by Coventry University academics has said.
Posted in Attention, Education, Engagement, Memory, Reading Skills, Speech & Language

Intentional teaching makes the biggest impact on early childhood outcomes

by Jonathan Rowe

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.
Posted in Education, Handwriting, Mathematics, Reading Skills, School Readiness, Speech & Language

China’s scholastic success could begin with storybooks, research suggests

by Jonathan Rowe

China’s scholastic success could begin with storybooks, research suggests

There is a widely held perception – and some research to affirm it – that East Asian schools outperform schools in North America. A recent study published by UC Riverside psychologist Cecilia Cheung skirts the link between storybooks and school performance, but asserts that the lessons taught in Chinese schools could start early.
Posted in Education, Engagement, Reading Skills, School Readiness, Social Skills

Study Reads Between the Lines in Children's Vocabulary Differences

by Jonathan Rowe

Study Reads Between the Lines in Children's Vocabulary Differences

A new study from the Callier Center for Communication Disorders at The University of Texas at Dallas found these differences in vocabulary growth among grade school children of different socioeconomic statuses are likely related to differences in the process of word learning.
Posted in Education, Language, Memory, Reading Skills, School Readiness

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

by Jonathan Rowe

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.
Posted in Engagement, Mathematics, Reading Skills, School Readiness, Speech & Language

How Dance Can Help Students in STEM Disciplines

by Jonathan Rowe

How Dance Can Help Students in STEM Disciplines

A proof-of-concept study at North Carolina State University finds that participation in dance programs helps students – including those in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines – develop skills such as creativity and persistence that benefited them in the classroom and beyond.
Posted in Attention, Education, Engagement, Language, Movement & Exercise, Reading Skills, Social Skills

School, health and behavior suffer when children have TV, video games in bedroom

by Jonathan Rowe

School, health and behavior suffer when children have TV, video games in bedroom

A new Iowa State University study is one of the first to demonstrate the consequences of allowing children to have a TV or video game system in their bedroom.
Posted in Health & Wellness, Motivation, Reading Skills, School Readiness, Technology

How should we handle boys who can't read?

by Jonathan Rowe

How should we handle boys who can't read?

"Letter-sound knowledge is what best predicts how well students will be able to read later," says Professor Hermundur Sigmundsson at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology's (NTNU) Department of Psychology. He has based his research on major empirical studies and theory.

 

Posted in Education, Engagement, Neuroscience, Reading Skills, School Readiness, Speech & Language

Toddlers begin learning rules of reading, writing at very early age, study finds

by Jonathan Rowe

Toddlers begin learning rules of reading, writing at very early age, study finds

New research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that children as young as 3 already are beginning to recognize and follow important rules and patterns governing how letters in the English language fit together to make words.
Posted in Education, Handwriting, Language, Reading Skills, School Readiness

Do you read stories to kids? Ensure moral lessons have greater impact with these types of books

by Jonathan Rowe

Do you read stories to kids? Ensure moral lessons have greater impact with these types of books

A study from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto shows kids aged 4-6 learn social lessons, like sharing or telling the truth, most effectively from a certain type of book. The results may surprise you.

Posted in Language, Reading Skills, Social Skills