Children whose parents provide them with learning materials like books and toys and engage them in learning activities and meaningful conversations in infancy and toddlerhood are likely to develop early cognitive skills that can cascade into later academic success, finds a new study by NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.
Continue reading “Child’s Home Learning Environment Predicts 5th Grade Academic Skills”
A recent study found that personality is more important than intelligence when it comes to children’s success in the classroom.
Continue reading “Personality Outsmarts Intelligence in the Classroom”
Guided play, or discovery learning, is an inquiry-based teaching method where teachers are coaches who create interest-driven experiences. In this study, guided play improved preschoolers ability to learn geometric shapes — an essential component to school readiness– over other types of instruction.
Continue reading “Guided Play: Learning “Takes Shape” in Preschool”
This is the second post in a new series by our founder, Nancy Rowe. Read the first post here.
Katie was well-behaved in class but struggling when it came to school work. At 7 years old, she was unable to complete assignments accurately and on time and had a hard time learning and remembering concepts. Her first grade teacher was unable to motivate Katie and advised her parents to seek additional support. What was the source of Katie’s struggle? What does it take to motivate and engage a student like Katie? Continue reading “Building Brain Habits: Learning from Mistakes”
Children with learning challenges experience handwriting delays at a younger age, study shows.
Continue reading “Handwriting Delays May Indicate Learning Disorders”
Researchers have found that genetics significantly affect learning abilities. That’s not to say, however, that academic achievement is entirely pre-determined. Learning environment does have an important effect on test scores, and possibly even more so in some cases.
Gifted education is a broad term to describe programs and practices used in the education of students who demonstrate exceptional abilities to learn or reason. Currently, more than 3 million students are enrolled in gifted programs nationwide. But gifted programs may not be the best learning environment for some students, according to a new study.
After years of creating and collecting, second grade teacher Erin Klein experienced a catharsis. In a recent article about her experience she wrote, “Entering my classroom one day, it struck me. The space looked more like a teacher storage facility than an inspiring place for students to work together and learn. I knew this needed to change.”
Continue reading “How Clutter is Distracting Your Students (And How To Fix It)”
There’s a concept first brought to light decades ago, but still very relevant in education today: How do students’ past experiences impact their current understanding? How can educators create experiences to engage students and enhance learning? One teacher found answers in dramatic play.
Continue reading “Dramatic Play: Little Actors, Big Results”
Join us for our first post in a new series from our founder, Nancy Rowe.
A teacher of mine once commented, “language begins with the idea in the mind of the child.” I have never forgotten the truth of that moment.
Continue reading “Building Brain Habits: Sharing Chores”
