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A Sense of Entitlement Boosts Creativity

A Sense of Entitlement Boosts Creativity

A sense of entitlement is usually viewed as having a negative effect on the attitudes of children and adults, as well as, how they may treat others. However, a new study finds that small doses of entitlement may have a positive effect on boosting children’s creativity.

 

Posted in Education, Social Skills

Write-To-Read: Improve Reading Skills With Purposeful Writing

Write-To-Read: Improve Reading Skills With Purposeful Writing

Early childhood is a crucial time for children’s reading and writing development. Children who lag behind in the early years usually encounter considerable difficulties throughout their academic careers. A recent study tested an exploratory write-to-read method in first grade classrooms as an alternative reading program.
Posted in Education, Handwriting, Neuroscience, Reading Skills, School Readiness, Technology

Indoor Fitness for Preschoolers: Is Your Classroom Fit?

Indoor Fitness for Preschoolers: Is Your Classroom Fit?

Experts recommend that children, by the time they’re 5 years of age, should engage in moderate to vigorous physical fitness for at least 60 minutes of activity per day. Researchers found that children’s physical activity levels during preschool class sessions are correlated to the overall quality of the preschool and the availability of indoor area equipment.

 

Posted in Education, Movement & Exercise, School Readiness

Are You Better With Numbers or Words?

Are You Better With Numbers or Words?

We usually think of math and reading skills as two distinct abilities; you’re either good with numbers or words. A new study may debunk this notion that our brains are either adept at math or reading.
Posted in Education, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Reading Skills

Learning to Read Today: Emojis, Photos, and More

Learning to Read Today: Emojis, Photos, and More

Technology dominates every aspect of our lives: how we work, how we live and how we communicate. A recent study in the Journal of Early Childhood Research examines our communication and looks at how it is affecting children learning to read.
Posted in Education, Engagement, Reading Skills, Technology

The "Couch-Potato" Generation

The "Couch-Potato" Generation

Kindergartners and first-graders are rapidly becoming mini-couch potatoes as they are spending more time sitting and watching television and less time actively playing and moving around. How much TV is too much?

 

Posted in Movement & Exercise, Technology

8 Foods to Increase Your Child's Creativity

8 Foods to Increase Your Child's Creativity

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, swore by a fruit heavy diet and sometimes dabbled in fruitarianism (a diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds). Jobs often referred to his fruit-heavy diet as laying the foundation for his creativity and success.
Posted in Education, Neuroscience, Nutrition

When Curiosity Peaks...

When Curiosity Peaks...

Curiosity may kill the cat; but when it comes to learning, it stimulates the brain and enhances learning. Researchers reveal what happens in our brains when our curiosity is peaked and why this leads to better learning.
Posted in Attention, Education, Engagement, Neuroscience

Kindergarteners and iPads: Sharing is Key

Kindergarteners and iPads: Sharing is Key

To give children iPads in school, or not – that is the question. The ‘correct’ answer to this question still remains a bit of a mystery. The use of iPads in the classroom has caused a political uproar in some school districts.
Posted in Education, Reading Skills, Technology

How Your Child's Weight Affects School Readiness

How Your Child's Weight Affects School Readiness

A recent study in Early Childhood Research Quarterly ventures into largely unchartered research territory. While previous research has examined how extra weight may inhibit children’s ability to perform optimally, most studies haven't differentiated between weight classes, such as overweight and obese. Further, there are few studies which examine the performance of underweight students in wealthy countries.
Posted in Education, Health & Wellness, Language, School Readiness, Social Development, Social Skills

Early Literacy: How Parent Involvement Has Evolved

Early Literacy: How Parent Involvement Has Evolved

A recent study published in the Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, investigates how families have supported their children’s early literacy and how this support has evolved over the past century.
Posted in Education, Neuroscience, Reading Skills

Moving for Math

Moving for Math

A classroom full of children waving their arms up and down, jumping, and tapping to the beat may sound like a gym class, but these movement exercises are actually designed for the classroom to help children learn math and writing.
Posted in Engagement, Handwriting, Mathematics, Movement & Exercise, Neuroscience, Reading Skills, Technology