Mind/Shift highlights the importance of working memory in efficient learning. While not all students need working memory training, one program has shown positive impacts on reading scores. Read the article
This Psychology Today author explains a new study showing why the placebo effect is the most effective aspect of brain training. Read the article
This NY Times article explores the research on whether or not brain training can make you smarter. The punchline: there's nothing out there that will make you innately smarter, but there are clear things you can do to help children reach their innate potential. Read the article
The Stanford Center on Longevity and the Berlin Max Planck Institute for Human Development offers this nuanced evaluation of brain-training games advertised to the public, and specifically to older adults, as means to improve memory and cognitive functions. The article states, “The consensus of the group is that claims promoting brain games are frequently exaggerated and at times misleading.” However, the article notes, “These conclusions do not mean that the brain does not remain malleable, even in old age.” Read the article
This article explains the latest research evaluating the effectiveness of brain training programs for children with ADHD or other attention issues. According to the researcher, "We found that these treatments are not effective for treating children with ADHD. They don't improve ADHD symptoms or behavior, they don't improve academic achievement, and in many cases do not improve the cognitive functions they claim to target." Read the article
This scholarly article from the Journal, Brain and Cognition cautions parents to be wary of some of the marketing around brain training and explains which cognitive areas are likely to have the greatest positive impact from the exercises. Read the article
This is an in-depth article from The New York Times that looks at popular brain training programs such as Learning Rx and Lumosity. The article examines the commercial, scientific, and anectodal aspects of the growing industry, as well as how parents have turned to it, sometimes at great expense. Read the article
This is a good critical review of the research on brain training from Scientific American. The author says that the broad claims of success from such training are probably exaggerated, but there is evidence that brain training could help some people improve working memory, an important cognitive skill. Read the article
This is a good article on the effectiveness of brain training from a leading non-profit, National Center for Learning Disabilities. We link directly to page two because it provides a good summary table of seven potential benefits of these programs as well as concerns or downsides.
Read the articleThis article from Science-Based Medicine does a comprehensive analysis of brain training. The evidence of effectiveness is decidedly mixed and improvements will depend on the type and severity of your child's weaknesses. In addition, the research indicates that paper-and-pencil games are equally effective. Read the article
This is an important article from The New Yorker, debunking many of the claims of brain trainers. The article is informative, as are the comments on the article at the end. Read the article
This piece from the NY Times questions the validity of the claims made by brain training companies. As a Duke neuroscience professor explains at the end of the article, “I’m not convinced there is a huge difference between buying a $300 subscription to a gaming company versus you yourself doing challenging things on your own..." Read the article
A Berkeley professor explains the potential benefits of training teachers in cognitive neuroscience. She explains that although applications have been limited so far, the field has enormous potential for improving learning outcomes. Read the article
This excerpted book chapter provides an excellent explanation of what parents should expect from the psychoeducational assessment process and how to begin to interpret the results. Read the article
Brainpickings explores the history of intelligence testing, including the cultural implications and biases and the role of genetics. This is an overview of what one will find in a book called The Gene. Read the article
A research study investigates the impact of gender and other types of diversity on group performance. Research showed that the individual abilities of group members dominates any diversity effects. Read the article
Why it is important to know how a child learns best if you want to help a student develop a growth mindset. Read the article
Parents see a side of their child that the rest of the world never does. If you are concerned that your child might need additional school support, use this Mindprint observation checklist as a starting to point to understand the root cause of your child's difficulties. It will help you to discuss your concerns with the teacher, child study team, or doctor if you decide you need to take the next step. Read the article
This American Psychological Association cover article explains the value of intelligence tests, also known as IQ or cognitive ability tests. It explains the history of the tests, validity and reliability, and the pre-cautions when using them to evaluate children. Read the article
Mindprint's CEO explains why cognitive tests can be the most efficient way to help teachers personalize learning. Read the article
In this Atlantic article, renowned educational research Daniel Willingham explains the differences between working and episodic memory as well as fluid and crystallized intelligence (though he doesn't call them out by name). He uses these explanations to demonstrate the importance of choosing and structuring the delivery of curriculum so that students not only learn what is important but also are more likely to remember it. Read the article
This journal article from the American Psychological Association was published in response to criticisms about standardized IQ tests. The authors concluded that while cognitive assessments may not measure all the different aspects of intelligence (creativity, emotional, etc.) and they should not be the only factor to consider in evaluating student ability, they remain the most reliable, valid, and objective measure of a student's academic potential. Read the article
This article from Understood.org does a nice job explaining what psychologists mean by the term "learning strengths" and why they matter. The key takeaway is that children learn differently and it is important to understand how a child learns best and present material accordingly. Read the article
This post asks us to explore the concept of intelligence more broadly, especially given the importance that intelligence has on life outcomes. The author emphasizes the importance of creative problem solving, or flexible thinking, and the ability to teach this skill in the classroom. Note that Mindprint does assess flexible thinking, but that the research is inconclusive on to what extent this skill, like all cognitive skills, can be taught. Read the article
This is a fantastic primer that lists the professionals associated with conducting educational assessments and helps parents understand their ability to make a diagnosis. For example, the author reminds parents, “…many of these professionals can suspect LD and/or ADHD but all are not licensed, or have the needed certifications to diagnose the disorders.” Read the article
The 10,000-hour rule, theorizing that it takes that many hours of practice to reach an expert level of performance or mastery is under scrutiny in this article. Cognitive psychologists found large discrepancies in the number of hours of practice it took for chess players to attain, “master status”. One player needed 22 times more deliberate practice than another player, suggesting genes and other factors play large roles than practice. Read the article
This Educated Mom post looks at the Founder and CEO of Mindprint, Nancy Weinstein, who used her experience in business, technology and parenting to bring a new product to the educational technology scene. In this profile, we hear from her about the process of developing Mindprint and what she’s learned along the way that may help other parents. Read the article
This post in The Educated Mom gives the essential information about psycho-educational evaluations. Parents who believe their children may benefit from a more specific understanding of their learning process will find this post extremely helpful, whether seeking the evaluation and assessment at school or through an outside provider. Read the article
This is a valuable post in The Educated Mom that provides a Q&A with child psychologist, Wendy Matthews. Dr. Matthews explains what a Cognitive Assessment is and how parents can utilize the information it provides to help better understand and support their children’s learning. Read the article
This CNN article does a good job explaining the value of IQ tests as well as their limitations. Note there is an error--IQ tests were standardized in the early 1900's not early 1990's Read the article
This article ,written by the authors of the book Nurture Shock, debunks some myths and provides evidence that early childhood screening tools are unreliable predictors of success in late elementary school. The authors are quick to point out that ability tests remain a better predictor than any of the alternatives, but that the nature of child brain development effectively limits the insight into a child's potential. Read the article
This piece from Harvard Business Review claims cognitive skills are a better predictor of job performance than academic achievements or even past job performance. Read the article
Parents who believe their child may be gifted but "misunderstood" can read this quick Q&A from the Davidson Institute on misdiagnosis, "a mismatch between the child’s actual learning and health needs and the perception of those needs by others." Read the article
This is a good article for parents who want to determine if their child has a learning difference. As the author states, "The key to identifying LD is therefore to identify areas of strength and weakness.. hone in on the very specific nature of the struggle, so that timely decisions can be made about carefully targeted intervention and support." Read the article
This blog from Education Week looks at the issue of IQ and examines challenges to the belief that it is inherited and cannot be changed or influenced by environment.What Do You Think? Read the article
This article written by a reading specialist emphasizes the importance of identifying learning differences early. The author also explains the Response to Intervention (RTI) program, which is intended to screen for such differences before children slip behind or become discouraged. Read the article
This article from Science Daily summarizes a large study on math achievement among 5th-10th graders in Germany. While innate intelligence may influence math achievement in early years, study habits and confidence become far more important as students get older. Read the article
This article from Scientific American explains how strong visual-spatial abilities, abilities often used by scientists, are under-emphasized on standardized IQ tests. Students with such strengths may not be selected for gifted and talented programs despite their high potential. Read the article
This article sites a well-respected study first published in Nature demonstrating how IQ scores changed significantly in adolescents in only a four year period, with a correlation between the changes in IQ scores and the changes in grey matter in the brain. According to the researchers, "More generally, our results emphasize the possibility that an individual’s intellectual capacity relative to their peers can decrease or increase in the teenage years." Read the article
A good and lengthy exploration of the neuroscience of "genius and the nature vs. nurture debate along with interesting charts of the age when most geniuses create their great works. Read the article
The Atlantic provides a dismal view of how difficult it is for students with learning differences, and particularly those who might also be gifted, to get the services they need under the educational structure. The author describes a system that has deteriorated and fails to meet the needs of many students because of the unsustainable cost structure, legal requirements, inconsistent parental demands and lack of teacher training. Read the article
This longitudinal study on mathematically gifted youth suggest that if gifted students receive the appropriate nurturing they are far more likely to have significant success and influence than their typically developing peers. The researchers encourage parents and educators to identify and nurture these exceptionally talented students for the overall betterment of society. Note to readers: Mindprint measures spatial ability, the key differentiating factor that is often unidentified by other tests of giftedness. Read the article
This psychologist's post explores the signs, potential causes and potential remediations for gifted children who might have slow processing speed. It is an excellent summary for parents concerned about how quickly their bright children can respond and process information. Read the article
This author explains the difference between creativity and intellect. He explains how creative geniuses demonstrate strengths in [the skills that Mindprint calls] abstract reasoning, spatial perception and flexible thinking. Read the article
This column provides advice from a child psychologist on specific considerations for gifted students deciding on a college to avoid the same social and academic disappointments they might have encountered in high school. Read the article
This article from edutopia provides guidance for general education teachers on how to (and not to) support gifted students in the classroom when they finish their work early. Product reviews in your Mindprint Toolbox will tell you if a product will be best for very strong students to further develop their cognitive strengths. Read the article
This cover story from the American Psychological Association discusses imposter syndrome. Some high achievers struggle with the feeling that they just aren't that smart and that they must work extra hard lest they be "discovered." This article gives examples of the occurrence in PhD students and specific tactics to help higher achievers grow more accepting of themselves. Read the article
This NPR blog addresses the three of the most important, yet difficult to answer, questions about giftedness: 1) How do you define it? 2) How do you identify it? How do you serve gifted students? Read the article
When gifted students aren't properly motivated, they can be among the most difficult learners to reach. Harnessing that potential can be a challenge for a variety of reasons. This blog from NuMinds, a center that focuses on motivating gifted learners, provides practical advice for parents of gifted underachievers on how they can support their children. Read the article
Gifted teenagers often face a different set of challenges than their typically developing peers. Parents and teachers might find this a useful article to help these gifted individuals through difficult periods. Read the article
This mom's powerful story of why she felt the gifted label did more harm than good for her son offers an important caution for parents whose children are identified as gifted early in life. It also is consistent with research that shows that many children who test gifted in elementary school do not continue to perform at gifted levels throughout childhood. Read the article
Simple yet helpful advice from a child psychologist to help parents of gifted children navigate the school system. Read the article
This thorough article on giftedness from the National Center for Gifted and Talented we believe is a must read for all educators. The key take away is: "what the research clearly and unequivocally tells us is that giftedness can be developed in some people if an appropriate interaction takes place between a person, his or her environment, and a particular area of human endeavor." We can help you uncover where those particular areas are most likely to be. A very worthwhile read. Read the article
According to this article, as many as 14% of children who are gifted also may struggle with a learning disability. These students are often misunderstood and underperform in school relative to their potential. Parents and teachers need to follow up if they suspect they have a student who fits in double-label. Read the article
This poignant advice can be helpful for a gifted child who struggles with managing interactions with teachers and students. Read the article
This blog post from Mindprint's CEO explores how cognitive assessments can be an effective way to free bright students from the pervasive anxiety and depression associated with high expectations. Read the article
Our experts tell you the signs of giftedness, potential strategies to support a gifted child, and why it is important to nurture your child's giftedness from the earliest ages. Read the article
This article from Yahoo! Health explores the differences among gifted intelligence, genius, and creative genius. The author discusses the roles of heredity, education and environment. There are no definitive conclusions, but many people may find it a fascinating topic and those with gifted children may find it helpful in understanding their child's potential. Read the article
This article written by two physicians describes signs of dyslexia often overlooked in intellectually gifted children. The authors provide very specific concerns for parents to look for if they suspect an undiagnosed reading struggle. Read the article
This blog written by a mom provides a parent's perspective on what are the most important considerations when deciding if a gifted child should skip a grade in school. Read the article
This is a fantastic read from the National Education Association about the behavior of gifted kids who are not given proper stimulation. Fortunately, the article gives a simple rubric developed at the University of Connecticut called the "5 C's" as a prescription to support gifted students. Read the article
This post in Great Schools looks at the pros and cons of skipping a grade (or two) in school. The post looks at intellectual and social issues, as well as the outcomes of some who have skipped grades themselves. If you are the parent of a gifted child who is considering this option, this post may provide some food for thought. Read the article
This article does a superb job explaining why gifted education is essential for both the individual and society as a whole. Although not addressed in this article and an ongoing point of contention is what qualifies a student for gifted education services. Should gifted services be for the "very bright" or only the "profoundly gifted" (than 2% of the population)? Read the article
This is a scholarly chapter from a University of Connecticut publication that looks at the issues related to underachievement in gifted students, a problem that has been a focus of gifted education research for more than 20 years. Parents of children who are gifted but not meeting their full potentials may find this an informative read. Read the article
This blog from Mind/Shift explores the success of the profoundly gifted. While this group has a disproportionate percentage of high powered careers and advanced degrees, there is a disturbingly large number who never reach their full potential, presumably at an overall societal loss. Research suggests that children do not live up to their full potential unless they are appropriately challenged. There is concern that many schools are not meeting the needs of these exceptionally capable students. Read the article
This site links to a trailer for a documentary on twice exceptional students, gifted or highly gifted individuals with learning disabilities. These students have tremendous abilities but also great obstacles to realizing their potential. Read the article
This is a great post for parents of gifted children, who are often considered by their peers to “have it easy” because their children excel academically. This post acknowledges that these children’s drive for perfectionism, difficulty making friends, and emotional sensitivity, make the role of parenting such children uniquely challenging. Read the article
This post by University of Pennsylvania professor, Scott Barry Kaufman, cites research saying people with ADHD are more likely to “…reach higher levels of creative thought and achievement than people without these characteristics.” Kaufman cautions that those with ADHD are often shut out of Gifted and Talented programs and need to be recognized for their potential. Read the article
Giftedness is a term packed with significance but muddy on meaning, at least when it comes to how to define it. This post in The Educated Mom focuses on some straightforward facts about what it means to be “profoundly gifted” and how the United States manages, or does not manage, its gifted and talented programs in education. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog looks at an article, “Emotional Intensity in Gifted Children,” which may explain the deep feelings of highly sensitive and gifted children who experience the world in a vivid manner. Parents of such children may feel a moment of recognition seldom explained elsewhere when they read this author’s comprehensive yet subtle observations. Read the article
This is a first person success story of an academically gifted high school senior who also has dyslexia, dysgraphia (writing disorder) and dyscalculia (math disorder). Although her path was not always easy, she is an Anne Ford Scholar and wants to pay-it-forward by helping other children in her situation meet their full potential. Read the article
This article summarizes Daniel Goleman's new book. It discusses how the quality of effort is more important than the quantity of effort among those individuals who are exceptional in their fields. Read the article
This is complex, scientific paper that consolidates the current research on giftedness. Although not everyone will want to read the entirety, the introduction can be a start for educators and parents of bright children to understand the current thinking around giftedness and potential ways to help these children maximize their potential. Read the article
This article from the Boston Globe raises the concern that the United States may be sacrificing its national competitiveness by not identifying and motivating some of the most gifted students. The article cites the persistent under-funding of gifted programs. Read the article
This New York Times editorial highlights a somewhat overlooked but disturbing statistic about the performance of America's most gifted students on international standardized tests. It states, "Other tests have shown that America’s younger students fare better in global comparisons than its older students do, which suggests a disturbing failure of educators to nurture good students as they progress to higher grades. Over all, the United States is largely holding still while foreign competitors are improving rapidly." Read the article
This post in The Motherlode blog is a helpful read about the social and emotional considerations that accompany skipping a grade. Read the article
This post questions whether gifted public school students are receiving sufficient resources. The article discusses the lack of federal funding for gifted programs and a 2011 study finding that 30-50% of high ability students decline in achievement over time. Read the article
This article from the Wall Street Journal interviews parents of profoundly gifted children, those in the top one-half of one percent of the population. From sending a thirteen year old off to college, or living apart as a couple to support the child's education, their stories make clear the amount of parental support required to give these children the intellectual stimulation they innately crave. Read the article
Gifted kids who have enormous amounts of physical energy are often misunderstood and misidentified, this article says, in part because, "...abundant physical energy is so opposite from the typical image of a gifted learner, it’s shamefully easy to overlook this child’s intelligence and focus only on his behavior." Read the article
This article states, "...we do not have a systematic way of meeting the needs of the gifted" and continues by explaining the detrimental effects of not properly stimulating profoundly gifted children. One solution, the article presents, however, are online options, not only for intellectual growth, but to find communities of peers with similar abilities. Read the article
This in-depth report from the non-profit Jack Kent Cooke Foundation discusses the lack of sufficient supports for gifted children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Read the article
This blog post from the head of a school for gifted children makes a case for a national imperative to provide more resources for gifted children and highlights some of the risks of not providing appropriate stimulation for gifted students. Read the article
This article distinguishes the attributes of exceptionally gifted children from the more familiar gifted children, and explains some of the added challenges the families of exceptionally gifted children face. Read the article
Perfectionism in children, and the anxiety that comes with it, is the subject of this Q&A with Thomas Greenspon provided by the Davidson Institutes for Talent Development, a school for gifted children. Precise definitions of the types of perfectionism and ways to address it make this a valuable resource for parents. Read the article
This article from Education Week discusses the problems with gifted programs, including lack of funding, outreach and inclusion of minorities, and inconsistent requirements. Parents, and some institutions, have stepped up to try to address the problems. Read the article
This blog post looks at new research suggesting that for some children with high IQs, the brain experiences an extended ability to learn new things. Environment, in such cases, and opportunities to learn a new language or instrument can, benefit such gifted teens. Read the article
This article from Great Schools discusses the risks of not appropriately stimulating gifted children and the complexities of differentiating between giftedness and "privilege". Read the article
If you have a gifted and emotionally sensitive child this article may be what you've been searching for. This extremely valuable piece begins with a section on bibliotherapy but follows with a focus on Emotional Intensity in Gifted Children. Read the article
This blog post from MindShift highlights a new website for gifted students in math and science. As the post quotes one person as saying, the site, "... is designed for talented 11- to 18-year-olds who would probably be “Googling for hard math problems."" Read the article
This is an interesting read about "maker" students who build and create of their own inventions. The most successful students were those whose parents had limited subject knowledge but were encouraging, allowing the child to be the leader. Read the article
The twice exceptional student, increasingly identified as "2e" is a student who displays both giftedness and a learning difference. This article provides advice for teachers, but parents may find it useful as well. Read the article
Creative teens may be overlooked by schools' gifted programs in part because their academic records and strengths may not fit such program's expectations. To fill that gap, researchers identified common characteristics of creative adults such as Woody Allen and Mark Twain, that may indicate creative potential and success. Read the article
Parents who believe their child may be gifted but "misunderstood" can read this quick Q&A from the Davidson Institute on misdiagnosis, "a mismatch between the child’s actual learning and health needs and the perception of those needs by others." Read the article
This presentation from The Davidson Institute looks at five common myths about gifted children. The link to the video component of the program is not available, but the information provided may be of great value to some parents. Read the article
This post from a gifted and talented instructor on an Indian Reservation includes comments from students who were asked to explain how gifted and talented programs have helped them. Read the article
This brief commentary in The New York Times questions if schools are providing sufficient stimulation for gifted children in their attempt to provide differentiated instruction in one classroom Read the article
This commentary from The New York Times highlights different viewpoints on the treatment and resources for gifted children. People on both sides of the issue may benefit from a better understanding of the perspectives. Read the article
This article from Scientific American explains how strong visual-spatial abilities, abilities often used by scientists, are under-emphasized on standardized IQ tests. Students with such strengths may not be selected for gifted and talented programs despite their high potential. Read the article
Although some may find it hard to relate to a parent bemoaning the difficulties of raising a profoundly gifted child, this story does a wonderful job helping to make it clear that every parent struggles trying to raise a child who is different from the mainstream whether it be for academic, social or emotional reasons. Read the article
This article focuses on the prevalence of exceptional working memory among prodigies. Working memory, the part of memory that enables you to remember and apply information, may be one of the areas of ability most improved with practice. Read the article
"Put succinctly, we only think about things we care about," explains Mary Helen Immordino-Yang in this excellent explanation in Mind/Shift about how and why emotions are core to everything we learn. Read the article
This longitudinal study shows that kids who are intrinsically motivated at a young age have higher life success and happiness than their intellectually gifted peers who lack the same level of motivation. The author's recommendation to parents: help your child discover what he loves and then nurture that love. Read the article
This brief article on growth mindset research suggests that growth mindset interventions work well for some, but not all, students. The benefits are promising for lower income/performing students but far less so for others. Read the article
EdWeek tries to explain how teachers are misinterpreting the growth mindset and the importance of not oversimplifying. Read the article
EdWeek provides a detailed of study of growth mindset in the classroom based on its national survey of teachers showing that while almost all teachers know and believe in growth mindset, only one in five is confident in using growth mindset in the classroom. Read the article
The Washington Post explores how women might respond differently from men in the workplace and encourages six behaviors that might help young girls develop into stronger, more self-confident women. Read the article
GRIT author Angela Duckworth addresses several topics including misunderstandings about grit and how she develops grit in her own household. She emphasizes the importance of intrinsic motivation as the prerequisite for true grit. Read the article
Digital Promise provides three essential elements for teachers to increase student motivation: autonomy, relatedness, and competence. It provides the research backing and clear explanations. Read the article
This EdCircuit commentary, written by Mindprint Founder Nancy Weinstein, explains how cognitive data can effectively power personalized learning in ways that cannot be done without accurate, objective data. Read the article
Paul Tough, author of How Children Succeed, explains why he now believes non-cognitive skills like grit should not be explicitly taught. Instead, they should be embedded and reinforced through daily habits and environment. Read the article
Why it is important to know how a child learns best if you want to help a student develop a growth mindset. Read the article
NY Magazine explores goal setting through the eyes of Olympic athletes and explains why small achievable goals might be far more effective than BHAGs (big hairy audacious goals). Read the article
Edutopia explains why social-emotional learning is such an important part of the learning process. It provides examples of how teachers can develop emotional skills even if their school does not have a formal curriculum or training. Read the article
Learn about the benefits of testing, when administered in the right spirit. They can increase self-awareness, improve retention, deepen learning, and improve students' ability to handle performance pressure. Read the article
The Washington Post's On Parenting explains that while we can't motivate children to succeed, parents can create an environment where kids are more willing to try. Read the article
Stanford researcher Carol Dweck, clarifies the research on growth mindset. As Dweck explains, "[growth mindset] is not something you declare, it's a really difficult journey taken over a long period of time." Read the article
Survey data from Gallup research is used to understand the large slide in student engagement after elementary school. The four key ways that seem to be the most crucial to re-engage students might feel surprising to adults. They are (1) better preparation in elementary school; (2) strong teacher relationships; (3) adult praise and recognition; and (4) build on each child's strengths. Read the article
A new study co-authored by Growth Mindset pioneer Carol Dweck shows that parents' views on failure are the driving influence on whether a student has a growth mindset. The article identifies the nuances that parents should consider as they react to their child's failures and the words they choose to offer encouragement. Read the article
This Mind/Shift article explores the potential downsides of giving parents access to student data, including negative impacts on motivation, helicopter parenting, and privacy. Read the article
This article explores the inherent nature of the scientific journey which might lead students to believe they lack the talent to be scientists. And how educators can change that mindset. Read the article
This NY Times review of Professor Angela Duckworth's book on grit highlights the perhaps surprising advice that it is sometimes okay to quit. It includes guidelines by age of when it might be appropriate to give up on something that you don't enjoy. Read the article
This brief edutopia blog explains why intrinsic motivation is more important than external motivators and a simple guideline of how to reinforce intrinsic motivation in the classroom. Read the article
This lengthy Harvard Education article discusses the ongoing importance, and challenges, of educating students in the skills that aren't measured on standardized tests: empathy, motivation, self-regulation, executive functions, and social skills. Challenges include the lack of universal definitions, relative inadequacies of measurement instruments, and lack of an immediate and direct correlation to achievement. Yet educators know that these are the same skills that often are the most important determinants of life success. The article highlights schools that are making some progress in developing these skills. Read the article
This blog post from the non-profit ASCD enumerates the key ingredients for successful student engagement and learning. When parents are evaluating schools they might want to evaluate whether or not the school embraces these instructional approaches. Educators can use this post as quick reminder of what strategies they want to incorporate into their classrooms. Read the article
This Ed Mom blog addresses some of the misunderstandings around Carol Dweck's research on growth mindset and explains what parents and teachers need to do for the core foundation of building a growth mindset. Read the article
This week's Educated Mom explores how many successful people, including Steven Spielberg and Richard Branson, attribute their success to having had to overcome weaknesses. Read the article
This Harvard Education article goes into detail on the research behind why children need to make mistakes to learn and some of the obstacles to letting them. It covers the work of notable researchers like Carol Dweck (growth mindset) and Robert Bjork (desirable difficulties). Read the article
The long-term importance of students being intrinsically motivated rather than having external rewards or punishments is increasingly well understood. This edutopia blog provides some background on why intrinsic motivation is so important and provides specific strategies to help teachers and parents develop intrinsic motivation. Read the article
In this post, Carol Dweck clarifies what she means by growth mindset after watching misinterpretations. In sum, "it is about telling the truth about a student’s current achievement and then, together, doing something about it, helping him or her become smarter." Read the article
Child Mind Institute explains why it is important for children to get comfortable with mistakes or "failure" and then provides some very strategic approaches to help parents help their children. Read the article
This teacher provides pragmatic advice to teachers working to balance student motivation, recognizing that it may not be practical to depend on intrinsic motivation every day for every student. Read the article
In this article, renowned educator Alfie Kohn takes aim at the oversimplification and application of Carol Dweck's growth mindset. While he acknowledges her work is grounded in good science, he explains how it ignores the even more important intrinsic motivating factors as the more important variables in driving student learning. Read the article
This Brainpickings article explores the work of Stanford research psychologist Carol Dweck. Dweck's research is being applied throughout the educational community. Her work shows that if students perceive themselves as capable they will be able to improve and grow. However, if they view their abilities as fixed or static, they are far more capable of improvement, regardless of innate ability. While these mindsets manifest at an early age, Dweck's research provides prescriptions for how to talk to children to cultivate an all-important growth mindset. Read the article
Parents interested in understanding more about the role that passion, resilience and effort can have on their child's ultimate success will enjoy this interview with Penn professor Angela Duckworth, a leader in the research on grit and performance. Read the article
This article from Scientific American cites the mounting evidence of the important role genuine interest plays in deeper learning. While the research does not minimize the importance of grit and persistence, the conclusion is that, "...choosing a goal that is both emotionally interesting and which you find personally meaningful goes a long way to alleviating some of the mental burden required to realize your dreams." Read the article
In this newsletter, Mindprint editors discuss how to inspire self-directed learning with interest-led projects. Read the article
Our experts explain why parents should quickly understand why a child consistently resists doing homework. Often, the reason is not the homework itself but other problems such as understanding, attention or anxiety. Read the article
This blog from edutopia directs teachers on how to cultivate students' ability to explore and find answers independently rather than seek help for the "right answer." This skill is truly essential and classified in others articles as a key 21st century skill. Although the strategies are written for teachers, they are quite relevant to parents too. Read the article
This excellent article explores the importance of resilience in overcoming and adversity and how to help children build resilience, including the need for supportive relationships with an adult. Read the article
This brief article from Harvard's Graduate School of Education explains the key elements of environment and disposition which enables some children to succeed despite trauma or failure while others struggle. Fortunately, the prescriptions work and can be used to support all children. Read the article
This is an out outstanding overview of techniques to employ when things get scary for children, from unsettling natural disasters to horrific events in the news. The detailed post has three major categories for parents: model good coping skills, reassure, and support. Read the article
It may come as no surprise that people are better able to learn information when they are curious about a topic, but this article describes a study that shows that the benefit of curiosity may extend to learning about other, less interesting topics, once curiosity is aroused. “Curiosity may put the brain in a state that allows it to learn and retain any kind of information, like a vortex that sucks in what you are motivated to learn, and also everything around it.” Read the article
This Educated Mom blog is a reminder to parents to let their children see the hard work required to make the family’s life run smoothly. From planning a Thanksgiving meal to getting the dishes done, the more children see their parents’ efforts, the more they may believe that despite the conveniences of technology, most success requires hard work and prolonged commitment. Read the article
This blog post from The Educated Mom looks at the subject of grades and questions whether an intrinsic love of learning can still be cultivated when there is pressure to attain a particular score. While some students can keep their own inner drive, others become focused on grades at the expense of growth. Read the article
This article summarizes Daniel Goleman's new book. It discusses how the quality of effort is more important than the quantity of effort among those individuals who are exceptional in their fields. Read the article
This article highlights advice from Daniel Goleman's new book, Focus. He identifies seven cultural reasons that students may not exhibit the right level of effort, and then he provides very specific ideas of how to counter societal influences to help students develop the motivation they need to be successful. Read the article
Angela Duckworth, a University of Pennsylvania professor, MacArthur Fellow, and researcher on the importance of "grit" in the achievement is interviewed in this post on the Scholastic site. Read the article
This 14 point list from Teach Thought is prefaced by explaining that although every child learns differently, most have the same basic needs to be successful. Read the article
This interview with Dr. Tim Elmore looks at 7 mistakes parents often make in an effort to avoid being like their own parents or to protect their children from failure. The interview looks at ways to curb these tendencies and to guide children in a more grounded process. Read the article
This brief post provides key information every parent and every student should know about brain development. The article also gives easy-to-implement tips (drink lots of water) that will build self-confidence and self-awareness. Read the article
This article offers helpful advice for both teachers and parents to help students understand the importance of persistence and strengthen their skills. Read the article
This article from The Atlantic delves into the workplace differences between men and women. While the focus is primarily on attitudes and careers of adults, the authors do look into the mindset and nurture of girls versus boys and the long-term consequences on self-confidence. Read the article
This story looks how to help children find their "aspirational state", credited with bringing motivation and academic success. Developing self-worth, engagement, and purpose, help students link their academic efforts to a larger, longed-for goal. Read the article
This opinion piece in The New York Times calls on parents to end the "non-stop" recognition of our children with participation trophies and rewards for nearly every effort. Citing research, the author makes a compelling argument to help increase our children's eagerness to seek challenges by allowing them to experience losing. Read the article
Although this blog is written for teachers, parents may find these motivation techniques extremely helpful when working with their children on school work at home. Read the article
This column from the Washington Post provides a summary of the book Nurture Shock. The book's author maintains that parents who heap praise upon their children and protect them from failure will see their efforts backfire by creating kids who are unable to cope in the real world. Read the article
This TED Talk, previewed by Mind/Shift, may inspire teens. The key takeaway is that most great people have ordinary fears and worries just like anyone, but become exceptional by persevering anyway. Read the article
This scientific article, written by key researchers of grit, may be helpful for those interested in delving more deeply into that concept, as well as ideas about delayed gratification and the growth mindset, (that intelligence is malleable rather than fixed) and their potential links to long-term success. Read the article
In this Edutopia article, a former neurologist gives a clear explanation of Executive Function in the context of brain development and the skills required by an ever-changing world. Read the article
This blog post expounds on how natural, sincere interest in a subject is the best predictor of future pursuit, even more important than innate ability. The author elaborates on how to help sustain that interest rather than inadvertently squashing it. Read the article
Here is more research looking at how to keep children, girls in particular, confident in math. Instead of looking at math ability as "fixed", children should be encouraged to view their ability as improvable with effort and to accept little failures along the way. Read the article
This blog from Education Week looks at a study that says grit, sometimes called "stick-to-it-ness" was, "nearly as predictive as ACT scores to the college success of young black men who attend mostly white universities." Read the article
This blog looks at a recent interview with the co-authors of Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing. It's a must read for parents interested in how to instill a healthy sense of risk-taking in their children. Read the article
This blog post looks at examples from the book Top Dog in which competition hurt performance. It's an excellent summary for parents who may want to better understand the situations and factors that can bring out the best in their children. Read the article
This is an excellent summary of the Department of Education's new report on important non-cognitive skills that will drive long-term success. Although written for teachers, there are practical explanations and recommendations suited for parents, and a link to the full report. Read the article
This article looks pediatrician Kenneth Ginsburg's book Building Resilience in Children and Teens. The post includes Ginsburg's "7 C's of Resilience" and his definition of a successful child: one who finds something he loves to do, is generous, empathetic and compassionate, committed to repairing the world, shows grit and the ability to collaborate, creativity and can take constructive criticism. Read the article
Parents whose children feel pressure to learn things quickly may find this article helpful. The author looks at the benefits of being in "problem-solving situations" and gives readers tips for introducing such situations into their own lives, to gain comfort with states of "confusion" and the process of arriving at answers. Read the article
Well-respected EdWeek blogger Walt Garder shares his perspective on why student engagement starts strong but drops off significantly by high school. High school classrooms, he says, are obsolete and teachers are stymied in their efforts to implement change in most public schools. Read the article
This article from Science Daily summarizes a large study on math achievement among 5th-10th graders in Germany. While innate intelligence may influence math achievement in early years, study habits and confidence become far more important as students get older. Read the article
In this blog post, a mother explains how she used some of the principles of Paul Tough's book, How Children Succeed, to help her son learn to handle situations in which he felt bullied or picked on. Read the article
This blog post on The Huffington Post is an excerpt from Dr. Jim Taylor's book, Your Children are Listening: Nine Messages They Need to Hear from You. Taylor emphasizes, "The only way for children to build a true sense of competence is through first-hand experience that includes travails, triumphs, struggles, setbacks, and successes." Read the article
This New York Times post highlights a common challenge of parenting children with different strengths and needs. The author turns to experts who provide insightful advice for a long-range method of cultivating the passions and confidence of each child. Read the article
This post provides an analytical review of Paul Tough's book, How Children Succeed. Readers who have read or wish to read Tough's book might appreciate the reviewer's specific expertise, which leads him to agree with Tough's appreciation of "Grit" but see other factors, including early acquisition of vocabulary, in a different light. Read the article
This is a wonderful post that delves into the student psyche, particularly the insecure feelings common among young girls. New evidence shows how referencing role models may discourage more than it inspires. Read the article
Parents may find this post extremely valuable in helping to teach children how to re-direct fear of failure into a positive attitude for advancement. The researcher classifies children into four categories, starting points to start the process of change. Read the article
This blog post will have particular resonance with parents of bright children who struggle with education and finding their way in life. Written by a senior in high school, the post originally appeared in Forbes. Read the article
This blog is written by a professor of physics who instructs elementary education majors. To quote the author, "confusion is the sweat of learning." Read the article
In this excerpt, noted educator Alfie Kohn takes aim at the importance of grit in educating children. He provides counter-arguments to the research of MacArthur Fellow Angela Duckworth that shows the relationship between grit and success. Read the article
This excellent Washington Post article by Phyllis Fagell helps parents understand what they need to do when they notice a change in their child's academic or school behavior. The author does an excellent job providing solutions for the most common situations parents might face. Read the article
A former school administrator provides targeted advice for educators to run an effective IEP meeting. It highlights the need for parents and educators to be equally well-informed to best meet the needs of all constituencies and keep the experience positive. Read the article
This personal narrative relives a parents' decision to switch schools for their youngest child when the school could not meet their son's needs for accommodations. This is a common emotional dilemma for many parents of children with learning differences. Read the article
The Atlantic provides a dismal view of how difficult it is for students with learning differences, and particularly those who might also be gifted, to get the services they need under the educational structure. The author describes a system that has deteriorated and fails to meet the needs of many students because of the unsustainable cost structure, legal requirements, inconsistent parental demands and lack of teacher training. Read the article
The Atlantic discusses the possibilities and challenges for students with learning differences who want to attend college. It addresses some of the misconceptions about the services offered at most colleges and gives suggestions of colleges and resources that are best-known for serving students with learning differences and ADHD. Read the article
Understand the pros and cons of giving kids' learning struggles a "label". It's a complicated consideration of perceptions, self-esteem, and making sure they receive the appropriate services. Read the article
This list from College Choice ranks the best schools for students with ADHD, Autism, or other learning disabilities. Read the article
This chart from Understood.org highlights the specific differences of having an IEP versus a 504 Plan. Know that every parent has the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) not just students with an IEP as the chart suggests. Read the article
In January 2016 the Justice Department released new guidelines around testing and accommodations for students with learning disabilities. This page from the non-profit Dyslexic Advantage highlights many of the most important considerations for school-aged children. Read the article
Going to college presents specific new challenges for students with a learning disability. This blog from a special education advocate and child psychologist provides concrete steps on how to prepare for the transition. Read the article
This important new ruling from the Justice Department should make it easier for students to receive the same accommodations on standardized tests as they have in their IEPs or 504 Plans. Read the article
For struggling readers or those with a reading disability, structured instruction is crucial in developing reading fluency. This article from the International Dyslexia Association explains the key elements of structured literacy. Parents will want to insist that their struggling readers are given proper instruction in all of these areas. Read the article
This post from Great Schools helps parents understand how behavior problems should be handled for kids with IEPs or pending IEPs. In short, the law protects students from being punished for behaviors that are related to their disability, but that doesn’t mean that special education students are not responsible for their behaviors. The article gives relevant examples so parents better understand their rights. Read the article
This important post from Child Mind Institute reminds parents that it is just as important that your child be able to discuss his or her learning disability as it is for your child to get the appropriate services. Read the article
This Motherlode blog in the New York Times falls in the category of things "I wish someone had told me." So we pass it on to parents of a child with a learning disability as anecdotal advice from one parent to another. Read the article
This Education Week blog provides a former principal's concern with the amount of resources spent on the administrative special education process rather than effectively helping students if and when they need support. The blog provides a history of how and why special education services have evolved. Read the article
Mindprint’s Educated Mom blog took a closer look at the IEP meeting and how parents can best prepare. Mindprint’s team of learning specialists gives inside advice on the nuances of the meetings, the importance of “doing your homework,” and how to do what you can to have the best emotional and tactical support before heading into meeting. Read the article
This article, written by an attorney, gives parents information about the legal protections provided to children with disabilities and provides examples of how such children can be given opportunities to participate in extracurricular clubs or sports. Read the article
This is a comprehensive article on Understood.org that explains the particular details of IEPs, including how students may qualify for them and how to navigate the educational system once one is in place for a child. The nonprofit, Understood.org, is a useful resource for parents of children with learning disabilities, and this article, like many others on the site, is a sound reference. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog features the story of a mother who spent many months seeking a solution for her bright son’s troubles. Only through the complicated process of seeking specific help and advice did she find a psychologist who confirmed her son was dyslexic. If the process of psycho-educational testing and cognitive assessments confuses you, this post may be of particular interest. Read the article
This article from the National Center for Learning Disabilities tells parents how best to interpret an IEP report, as well as information on their legal rights and what action can be taken if necessary. Read the article
This article in Education Week is a must-read for parents of children with special needs who will be taking the Common Core tests. While the article discusses the recently announced accommodations guidelines, it is important for parents to stay up-to-date. Read the article
This article from Smart Kids with LD is a good guide for parents who want to understand their legal rights and properly advocate for their child's best interests. Read the article
This article explains how states are slowly moving beyond measuring compliance to measuring improvement in outcomes for students who qualify for special services. Read the article
The legislation around whether or not children with ADHD qualify for special education services is indisputably confusing. This blog post provides some helpful advice on how to advocate for your child. Read the article
This is an inspiring story of parents of dyslexic children in New Jersey who formed Decoding New Jersey, which now has groups in other states and advocates for awareness and change in both policy and education. Read the article
If you are considering having your child evaluated for a learning difference this is a must-read article about why and how to include your child in the process from the Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities website. Read the article
This is an informative article for parents whose children may seek accommodations on the ACT or SAT. While the tests may be years away for some, it is worth knowing about particular options and requirements. Read the article
This article written by a reading specialist emphasizes the importance of identifying learning differences early. The author also explains the Response to Intervention (RTI) program, which is intended to screen for such differences before children slip behind or become discouraged. Read the article
With a focus on budgets, this article from the Huffington Post looks at what happens when traditional public schools lose students to charter schools or other factors, but retain those with special needs. The result is a relative increase in that population. Read the article
This post from Great Schools gives one parent's account of a frustrating journey that started with the suspicion a child may have a learning difference and finally lead to a proper diagnosis and appropriate support. Research shows that early diagnosis is beneficial to the academic, emotional and social well-being of the child. Read the article
A good and lengthy exploration of the neuroscience of "genius and the nature vs. nurture debate along with interesting charts of the age when most geniuses create their great works. Read the article
"Put succinctly, we only think about things we care about," explains Mary Helen Immordino-Yang in this excellent explanation in Mind/Shift about how and why emotions are core to everything we learn. Read the article
Noted educational leader provides his perspective on the problems with the existing educational model. His basic conclusion, "if collectively those involved in the education system changed what it means to achieve in a way that honors the natural diversity of human life, many more people would see themselves as achievers and would push themselves beyond expectations set for them." Read the article
For those struggling with what they want to do with their lives, this article provides practical advice on identifying what is important to you. It also offers encouragement on how to stick with it. Read the article
This EdMom blog offers parents long-term perspective on the importance of college admissions goals versus long-term career choices. Given the nature of college admissions process, reading this might alleviate some of the pressure both parents and students feel to have the perfect application. Read the article
This blog discusses a new program aimed at helping high school and college students to discover their passions and life goals. We know that people are most successful in careers for which they have true passion. Read the article
This New Year's blog from the Educated Mom explores the importance of parents in helping children become their "best selves." Resolutions provide a convenient opportunity to work with a child to grow, improve, and find new interests. Read the article
Identifying a child as intense is entirely subjective, but parents and educators often say that you "know it when you see it." They can be among the most rewarding and frustrating children to handle. This brief article provides some advice on how to harness and embrace some of that intensity. Read the article
This article documents "what our intuition tells us to be true: that more engagement results in higher achievement." It also explains why and provides achievable examples to boost student engagement. Read the article
This article from Scientific American cites the mounting evidence of the important role genuine interest plays in deeper learning. While the research does not minimize the importance of grit and persistence, the conclusion is that, "...choosing a goal that is both emotionally interesting and which you find personally meaningful goes a long way to alleviating some of the mental burden required to realize your dreams." Read the article
In this newsletter, Mindprint editors discuss how to inspire self-directed learning with interest-led projects. Read the article
This post from the Harvard Graduate School of Education looks at a study of high school students and teachers and the benefit of forming connections, such as by discovering similar interest or hobbies or charities. The positive connection has an overall positive effect on student performance, particularly for the neediest students. Read the article
It may come as no surprise that people are better able to learn information when they are curious about a topic, but this article describes a study that shows that the benefit of curiosity may extend to learning about other, less interesting topics, once curiosity is aroused. “Curiosity may put the brain in a state that allows it to learn and retain any kind of information, like a vortex that sucks in what you are motivated to learn, and also everything around it.” Read the article
Every parent is a teacher and here are 12 tips providing great advice on how to inspire your children. The list is a highlight of some of the philosophies included in the book American Teacher: Heroes in the Classroom. Read the article
This article summarizes Daniel Goleman's new book. It discusses how the quality of effort is more important than the quantity of effort among those individuals who are exceptional in their fields. Read the article
This blog post expounds on how natural, sincere interest in a subject is the best predictor of future pursuit, even more important than innate ability. The author elaborates on how to help sustain that interest rather than inadvertently squashing it. Read the article
How do teachers keep students engaged in school? This teacher, co-author of "The Passion Driven Classroom," has some ideas parents may find valuable. Read the article
By 2020, there will be 1 million unfilled computer programming jobs, according to this article, which looks at a new series of short films designed to get kids excited about the potential career choice. A link to the film is included.What Do You Think? Read the article
This article looks pediatrician Kenneth Ginsburg's book Building Resilience in Children and Teens. The post includes Ginsburg's "7 C's of Resilience" and his definition of a successful child: one who finds something he loves to do, is generous, empathetic and compassionate, committed to repairing the world, shows grit and the ability to collaborate, creativity and can take constructive criticism. Read the article
This blog bemoans the decline of "tinkering" among today's students. The freedom to experiment without a fear of failure or pressure to perform should be reclaimed, this author says, if we want to inspire a generation of STEM innovators. Read the article
A new study from Harvard debunks the conventional wisdom that studying music in the early years improves students' math performance. The authors still encourage students to study music for its intrinsic value. Read the article
This Huffington Post blog from a former teacher provides five useful strategies parents might integrate to keep reading an enjoyable and important part of their children's lives. Read the article
If there was any doubt about the value in teaching to students' interests, this blog describes a study showing how algebra performance improved when problems were customized to students' extra-curricular likes. Read the article
This excellent Washington Post article by Phyllis Fagell helps parents understand what they need to do when they notice a change in their child's academic or school behavior. The author does an excellent job providing solutions for the most common situations parents might face. Read the article
Mind/Shift explains how powerful podcasts and audio books can be for struggling readers. The article includes recommendations by age group. Read the article
ADDitude Magazine identifies learning disabilities that might overlap with ADHD and the potential confusing characteristics. Read the article
This excerpted book chapter provides an excellent explanation of what parents should expect from the psychoeducational assessment process and how to begin to interpret the results. Read the article
NPR features artists with dyslexia who share their work inspired by their dyslexia. A very worthwhile share for anyone with dyslexia or who supports someone with dyslexia. Read the article
The Atlantic discusses the possibilities and challenges for students with learning differences who want to attend college. It addresses some of the misconceptions about the services offered at most colleges and gives suggestions of colleges and resources that are best-known for serving students with learning differences and ADHD. Read the article
The Atlantic explains that girls with autism are often under-diagnosed or diagnosed later because the disorder might manifest in less obvious ways. It also addresses the need for interventions that are specific to helping girls with autism address social and emotional issues that are gender-specific. Read the article
This helpful post explains some of the similarities and differences of ADHD vs. specific learning disabilities (SLD). Treatment and intervention options will differ based on the diagnosis. Read the article
Understand the pros and cons of giving kids' learning struggles a "label". It's a complicated consideration of perceptions, self-esteem, and making sure they receive the appropriate services. Read the article
Parents see a side of their child that the rest of the world never does. If you are concerned that your child might need additional school support, use this Mindprint observation checklist as a starting to point to understand the root cause of your child's difficulties. It will help you to discuss your concerns with the teacher, child study team, or doctor if you decide you need to take the next step. Read the article
This list from College Choice ranks the best schools for students with ADHD, Autism, or other learning disabilities. Read the article
This one page summary from the International Dyslexia Association provides an excellent overview of dyslexia including prevalence, signs, and supports. Read the article
This open letter from the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) clarifies the organization's interpretation of the research on the importance of specific methods for teaching reading to all children, especially those with dyslexia. Parents concerned about their children's reading fluency should understand how their child is being taught reading and if this method is endorsed by IDA. Read the article
This very straight-forward advice from the professionals at Child Mind Institute provides direction on when a child should be evaluated for a learning difference. Read the article
This lengthy 2009 paper from the American Academy of Pediatrics goes into detail about the diagnosis, prevalence and potential treatments for children with dyslexia. The emphasis is on early identification and intervention and highlighting therapies that have no proven efficacy (e.g. vision therapy). Read the article
In January 2016 the Justice Department released new guidelines around testing and accommodations for students with learning disabilities. This page from the non-profit Dyslexic Advantage highlights many of the most important considerations for school-aged children. Read the article
This article explores the strengths and struggles of children who have a dyslexia diagnosis. It offers encouragement that children with dyslexia might be pre-disposed to other, innate talents which parents will want to nurture and cultivate. However, it also cautions about the importance of early identification and intervention for students who might have a reading disorder. Read the article
Sensory processing issues relate to a child's senses feeling over-stimulated by their surroundings. Sensory processing issues can often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed because they can co-exist with or have behaviors that can be confused with ADHD, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, and behavior problems. However, sensory processing issues are distinct and a struggling child will be best supported when the symptoms are properly identified and adults provide the appropriate supports. This article from Child Mind Institute presents the most common behaviors associated with sensory processing and the best approaches parents can take to help their children cope. Read the article
Despite the prevalence of dyslexia among students, estimated as high as one in five students, school districts vary greatly on their criteria for giving students an IEP that will meet their very specific learning needs. This Mind/Shift articles explores the challenges families face to get the right services and accommodations for their children. Read the article
If your child has a diagnosed learning or attention issue, this article provides a great starting point to decide on a clinician and treatment plan. Read the article
These wonderful stories from siblings of special needs children guides parents to understand and support their unique needs as well. Read the article
This important post from Child Mind Institute reminds parents that it is just as important that your child be able to discuss his or her learning disability as it is for your child to get the appropriate services. Read the article
This Motherlode blog in the New York Times falls in the category of things "I wish someone had told me." So we pass it on to parents of a child with a learning disability as anecdotal advice from one parent to another. Read the article
According to this article, as many as 14% of children who are gifted also may struggle with a learning disability. These students are often misunderstood and underperform in school relative to their potential. Parents and teachers need to follow up if they suspect they have a student who fits in double-label. Read the article
This heartfelt blog post is from a mom who has experienced the benefits of early intervention. Delays can become evident at any age, so whether you have an infant, toddler, or school-aged child this mom's experience is consistent with the research that says early intervention can make an enormous difference. Read the article
This article written by two physicians describes signs of dyslexia often overlooked in intellectually gifted children. The authors provide very specific concerns for parents to look for if they suspect an undiagnosed reading struggle. Read the article
This article explores how children with autism, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities use long-term memory to compensate for some of their weaknesses. For those who have strong memory, the article provides insight into how to use this strength in treatment. Read the article
This helpful article includes interviews with three child psychologists about their observations on anxiety in children with learning disabilities. The psychologists provide insight into how children perceive their "differences" and common age-dependent responses that parents should look out for. Read the article
This article looks at one autism expert’s warning that doctors are failing to diagnosis a significant number of high-functioning girls, given that some of the traits of autism manifest differently by gender. As with all medical conditions, delayed identification can have serious long-term consequences on social and emotional well being. Read the article
This is a great read if you are the parent of a special needs child, or a friend to a parent of one. This well-written and heartfelt blog speaks to the larger issues families deal with in the process of raising their children. Read the article
Although most children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by the time they enter pre-school, some children with the disorder are still not diagnosed at this age. This article describes some of the behaviors in a child that has not yet been identified. If a parent or educator suspects a child might have autism they should immediately ask for an evaluation given the known importance of early intervention on long-term outcomes. Read the article
This progress checker from a UK non-profit can be a helpful way to see if your child's communication development is following a typical progression. If you have lingering concerns after reading this information, we recommend you consult your pediatrician or school. Read the article
This personal account from one mother whose son has been diagnosed as on the Autism spectrum is a testament to parental determination. The post, which appeared in The Educated Mom blog, gives a detailed account of the efforts the parent made for an accurate diagnosis, support, and educational opportunities. Read the article
This New Yorker article describes very interesting research on the correlation of brain development and reading among children in grades K-3. The research suggests there might be early intervention opportunities for students that might be predisposed to dyslexia and the importance of addressing problems with struggling readers as early as possible. Read the article
This article was written to address the specific concerns of students with ADHD or learning disabilities as they prepare for standardized college admissions test. It addresses how to plan in advance and which test may be preferable and why. Read the article
It’s hard to decide on the right term to use when talking about uniqueness in a child’s learning: disorder, disability or difference. This blog is a simple, but specific, rundown on the terms and their definitions and is written by someone who is both a parent and a lawyer. Read the article
This is a fantastic primer that lists the professionals associated with conducting educational assessments and helps parents understand their ability to make a diagnosis. For example, the author reminds parents, “…many of these professionals can suspect LD and/or ADHD but all are not licensed, or have the needed certifications to diagnose the disorders.” Read the article
This post on Edudemic is a great resource with links to help better understand dyslexia. Given the prevalence of learning disabilities, all of us might benefit from a better understanding. Read the article
This site links to a trailer for a documentary on twice exceptional students, gifted or highly gifted individuals with learning disabilities. These students have tremendous abilities but also great obstacles to realizing their potential. Read the article
This is a useful post on information processing disorders, typically categorized as either visual or auditory in nature. The article notes that information processing disorders may not in and of themselves be categorized as learning disabilities but are often at the root of learning difficulties. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog features the story of a mother who spent many months seeking a solution for her bright son’s troubles. Only through the complicated process of seeking specific help and advice did she find a psychologist who confirmed her son was dyslexic. If the process of psycho-educational testing and cognitive assessments confuses you, this post may be of particular interest. Read the article
Children with learning differences may welcome summer as a break from the pressures of the school year, as all kids do, but they, even more than others, may benefit from keeping up with their studies. In this Educated Mom post, we get summer advice from a teacher who works primarily with children who have learning differences. Read the article
The National Center for Learning Disabilities provides these common signs of a potential math disability in early elementary-aged children. Read the article
This is a first person success story of an academically gifted high school senior who also has dyslexia, dysgraphia (writing disorder) and dyscalculia (math disorder). Although her path was not always easy, she is an Anne Ford Scholar and wants to pay-it-forward by helping other children in her situation meet their full potential. Read the article
This article from the International Dyslexia Association provides specific signs that a child may have a reading problem and explains the importance of parents taking early action. Read the article
This article from the Scientific Learning blog presents four common misconceptions about learning disabilities and puts the correct answers in understandable terms. Read the article
Dysgraphia is the lesser known learning disability often found in children with dyslexia. It involving difficulties in forming written letters and sometimes spelling. This blog post from Reading Rockets was written by the International Dyslexia Association to provide an introductory understanding of the disorder. Read the article
A parent shares the personal experience of hearing from a teacher that her child may have a learning difference. The author provides some helpful suggestions about how to process the information and begin to navigate evaluations and special education. Read the article
This post, from a lawyer with a learning disability, gives sound advice those for those who may feel misunderstood or criticized because of their learning differences. His personal account is followed by a short list of tips to put into practice. Read the article
This blog from The New York Times provides hope for dyslexic students, explaining how more frequent reading at early ages can lead to improved success, debunking the idea that the brain is "hard-writed" and can't be changed through expereince. Read the article
This post from the non-profit, Great Schools, provides advice for parents of children with learning differences in regards to the new Common Core State Standards. Read the article
This article provides a potentially great option for parents of children with dyslexia. A new study shows that customizing e-readers so they display very few words per line can show a measurable improvement in reading comprehension and speed for those with dyslexia. Read the article
This article from Smart Kids with LD is a good guide for parents who want to understand their legal rights and properly advocate for their child's best interests. Read the article
This article explains how states are slowly moving beyond measuring compliance to measuring improvement in outcomes for students who qualify for special services. Read the article
This article discusses the option of tinted lenses for some students with dyslexia. The lenses are expensive and are not covered by insurance. Read the article
This blog provides an excellent explanation of the increased demands for reading in 3rd and 4th grade. The author uses this data to advocate for early intervention for students who show weaknesses. Read the article
This press release from MIT explains cutting edge research on early diagnosis of Dyslexia. It provides a concise explanation of the early skills that could signal later difficulties. Read the article
This is an intriguing article that looks at the studied differences in male and female brains. Using the basis that symptoms for ADHD present differently because of these differences, the author looked into if the same might be true for children with dyslexia. Read the article
The following is one in a series of articles about controversial therapies from the non-profit National Center for Learning Disabilities. This review of food and nutrition therapies to treat ADHD and other learning differences suggests there is no scientific evidence proving nutritional therapies will remedy those issues. Read the article
This personal post from a mother of a child with learning differences gives a window into the impact it can have on the relationship between husband and wife. She provides her personal tips on how to keep the family intact through what can be a difficult period. Read the article
Parents who know or suspect their child has a reading problem will appreciate this first person account written by Ben Foss, an entrepreneur and founder of Headstrong Nation, a not-for-profit organization serving the dyslexic community. Foss, who is dyslexic, invented the Intel Reader, a mobile device that takes photos of text and recites it out loud. Read the article
This NY Times Op-Ed is written by a dyslexic author who did not read fluently until age 13. Still, the writer went onto Yale, medical school and much success. The piece highlights research linking specific cognitive strengths with dyslexia. Read the article
This article explains how significant struggles in learning a foreign language may be symptomatic of an otherwise undiagnosed learning difference in Reading, Writing or Listening. The article also highlights techniques to help cope with some of the issues that arise. Read the article
This article is a good primer on the key misconceptions about dyslexia. The explanations are quite good and succinct and include information about how the symptoms present in older children who have not yet been diagnosed. Read the article
Parents concerned with a child's writing difficulties may find this Q&A from the National Center for Learning Disabilities helpful. Read the article
The twice exceptional student, increasingly identified as "2e" is a student who displays both giftedness and a learning difference. This article provides advice for teachers, but parents may find it useful as well. Read the article
This post is written by a researcher and mother whose daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia in fourth grade. The self-esteem boosting conversation tips she shares come from a unique understanding: the mother is dyslexic, too. The post is also an important reminder that an abrupt change in a child's behavior could be an indicator of problems in school. Read the article
This article looks at a new study published in Science Magazine indicating that children with one learning disability are more likely to have a second disability that may be undiagnosed. Read the article
This article from the National Center for Learning Disabilities tackles the question of whether movement therapy can improve attention in kids with ADHD, Autism and other learning differences. After doing their own research, they believe the answer is no. Read the article
The Washington Post looks at the ongoing debate over eliminating the teaching of cursive handwriting in schools. Parents may be interested to hear the argument praising cursive's benefits for some dyslexic students. Read the article
This is a good article for parents who want to determine if their child has a learning difference. As the author states, "The key to identifying LD is therefore to identify areas of strength and weakness.. hone in on the very specific nature of the struggle, so that timely decisions can be made about carefully targeted intervention and support." Read the article
This is an inspiring story of parents of dyslexic children in New Jersey who formed Decoding New Jersey, which now has groups in other states and advocates for awareness and change in both policy and education. Read the article
If you are considering having your child evaluated for a learning difference this is a must-read article about why and how to include your child in the process from the Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities website. Read the article
This brief note from Education Week discusses the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) updated set of guidelines or "best practices" in identifying students with learning disabilities. Read the article
This article looks at how children can benefit from understanding more about their learning disabilities. Demystification, the author says, can improve the child's confidence and ability to help get what they need to succeed. Read the article
This is an important article for all families, although it was written to specifically address the problems students with learning disabilities experience in college. Many of the strategies might be best implemented before any child heads off to college, including the ability to advocate for oneself. Read the article
This is an inspiring article from the National Center for Learning Disabilities on celebrities who channeled their learning difference into long-term success. Read the article
This article outlines the differences between the SAT and ACT and helps readers determine which test may be the best fit for particular students. Read the article
This is a good article on the effectiveness of brain training from a leading non-profit, National Center for Learning Disabilities. We link directly to page two because it provides a good summary table of seven potential benefits of these programs as well as concerns or downsides.
Read the articleThis article written by a reading specialist emphasizes the importance of identifying learning differences early. The author also explains the Response to Intervention (RTI) program, which is intended to screen for such differences before children slip behind or become discouraged. Read the article
New research points to the genetic components of dyslexia. Of note to some parents may be the high percent of students who are not diagnosed with dyslexia until high school. Read the article
This post, from the National Center for Learning Disabilities, explains in understandable terms the math learning disability of dyscalculia and how it manifests in early elementary school students. Parents who believe their first, second, or third grader shows signs of these specific struggles may need to be proactive with educators since dyscalculia is generally far less understood (and thus less identified) than reading disabilities like dyslexia. Read the article
University of Virginia professor Daniel Willingham, explains the misconceptions surrounding Harvard professor Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences, why they are misunderstood, and why they offer limited practical application for educators. Read the article
Edutopia makes a case for social-emotional education in schools. It provides five reasons against it and the counter-argument in favor. Read the article
Understand the Semmelweis Reflex, or the “the reflex-like tendency to reject new evidence or new knowledge because it contradicts established norms, beliefs or paradigms.” Why does it matter? Myths like left- and right-brain thinking, learning styles, and that we only use 10% of our brains are not only wrong but potentially very dangerous. Read the article
Learn how the myth of right- vs left-brained developed and why that simplified view of brain functioning is misleading. Read the article
This interview with author Susan Cain who has become the voice for dispelling myths about introverts and how to support introverted students in learning environments. If you are a teacher or have an introverted child, you will find her insight quite helpful. Read the article
Mindprint's CEO explains why cognitive tests can be the most efficient way to help teachers personalize learning. Read the article
This Fortune article explores the flaws of the most popular personality test, most specifically that it lacks the scientific reliability so that it does not give a true picture of preferences. Read the article
The Myers-Briggs personality assessment is prevalent in the business and career evaluation community. This article disputes the entire validity of the test, discrediting any scientific rationale for using it. Mindprint considers the Myers-Briggs similar to the the theory of learning styles: interesting perhaps but not at all reliable or useful. Read the article
This article from neurologist and teacher Dr. Judy Willis debunks three common neuromyths. Neuromyths are beliefs purportedly based on neuroscience that, while sounding plausible, are incorrect. Neuromyths include false beliefs that students are left or right brained, that students can be classified by learning style, or that we only use 10% of our brains. They lead to time and money invested in the wrong teaching approaches. Read the article
This blog points to scientific research to debunk the myth that students have "learning styles". The author encourages the use of multiple modes of teaching to keep all learners interested and engaged. Read the article
While there is no scientific backing for the idea of "learning styles", this graphic outlines strategies that may be of use. Read the article
Instead of looking at "learning styles" this post looks at what is described as a more scientifically proven distinction among learners: working memory. Strategies to reduce distractions and intrusive thoughts on the memory, can free it for cognitive processes and the acquisition of new material. Read the article
This blog from the Washington Post includes a post from well-known professor and author Daniel Willingham. He says, "Researchers have been conducting experiments on learning styles for 50 years. They've been tested with the sorts of materials that kids encounter in schools. They've been tested with kids diagnosed with a learning disability. There just doesn't seem to be much evidence that kids learn in fundamentally different ways." Read the article
The stress of living in poverty can have long-term impact on children’s brain development, most particularly executive functions, without intervention. Please contact Mindprint if you'd like to learn more about how we can help you identify which students are struggling the most and how best to support them. Read the article
Mindprint explores whether or not the conventional wisdom about the need for a "united front" in parenting is still true in the 21st century. Read the article
Psychologist Dr. Susan Newman provides the research behind the stereotypes of only and first children. She provides 8 suggestions for what parents can proactively do to avoid the negative stereotype traps and nurture the advantages of being first or only. Read the article
Brainpickings explores the history of intelligence testing, including the cultural implications and biases and the role of genetics. This is an overview of what one will find in a book called The Gene. Read the article
The conventional wisdom of simply letting siblings work out their differences on their own might not always be the best course of action, especially when kids have different personality types. Read the article
Child Mind Institute explains the social reasons why girls apologize more than boys and the impact it can have on others' perceptions of them, and, over time, their own self-esteem. The article provides some potential remedies as well. Read the article
Child Mind Institute provides straight-forward guidance for how to maintain a healthy relationship with your teenager. Read the article
Parenting styles in Denmark are believed to contribute to Danish students consistently ranking as the "happiest students in the world." The article attributes their happiness, at least in part, to empathy being taught in schools and significantly reinforced in homes. Read the article
This letter from a mom, who also happens to be a licensed social worker and former principal, offers perspective on how to develop our children's understanding of race, social equity and empathy. Read the article
This heartfelt Ed Mom blog is about a thirteen year old's rite of passage and why sometimes the most challenging kids turn into the most interesting adults. Read the article
This Harvard Business School article highlights the impacts a working mother has on the future career choices and attitudes of daughters and sons. The outcomes are primarily positive but differ by gender. Read the article
This article explores the potential danger of being an authentic perfection, including the real potential for self-harm. The article warns that perfectionism can be passed on to children and gives specific advice to help parents avoid instilling perfectionism tendencies in their children. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog explores the stereotype of first-borns having higher academic achievement and offers strategies to counter-act any effects of birth order. Read the article
This Psychology Today article explores the long-held beliefs about the effects of birth order on personality type and academic achievement. New research shows that those effects might not persist into adulthood, with the exception of slight effects on verbal reasoning. Most importantly, the author warns against using stereotypes and labels for any reason. Read the article
Home should always be a child's safe place, but unfortunately sibling differences can sometimes make one child stand out in a bad way more than others. This blog from Psychology Today provides advice for parents to temper the negative feedback to bring out the goodness in every child. Read the article
This Ed Mom blog offers a brief, personal experience that was lifechanging for this mom's parenting. It's worth the quick read. Read the article
This article can be an important reminder to parents about modeling behavior for their children. If parents want children to have happy and successful careers, parents should aim to do the same for themselves. Read the article
These wonderful stories from siblings of special needs children guides parents to understand and support their unique needs as well. Read the article
This brief post from the Washington Post explains why parents should confront sibling rivalries early and suggests ways to foster healthy sibling relationships. Read the article
This article from Science Daily cites new research that parents' beliefs in their children's academic ability, regardless of whether or not accurate, influences eventual outcomes. The researcher advises parents to 'focus on recognizing the strengths of each of their children and be careful about vocally making comparisons in front of them.' Read the article
Our experts give an overview of heredity and intelligence and advice on how to approach differences and similarities in your children's learning. Read the article
This article from Yahoo! Health explores the differences among gifted intelligence, genius, and creative genius. The author discusses the roles of heredity, education and environment. There are no definitive conclusions, but many people may find it a fascinating topic and those with gifted children may find it helpful in understanding their child's potential. Read the article
This blog interview explores the stereotypes of birth order, the reasons why there may be some truth to them, and provides some suggestions on how parents might try to help children avoid falling into the negative stereotypes. Fortunately, the author is quick to note that these are generalities and a lot depends on specific family dynamics and personalities. Read the article
This is a great read if you are the parent of a special needs child, or a friend to a parent of one. This well-written and heartfelt blog speaks to the larger issues families deal with in the process of raising their children. Read the article
This post looks at the relationship between siblings in terms of teasing, and in the most extreme cases, bullying. Parents may dismiss the sibling relationship as harmless, but research shows aggressive sibling behavior can chip away at self-esteem and should not be ignored. Read the article
While we all know we should eat dinner as a family, this post by a professor at Harvard Medical School explains the scientific rationale. Not only does it boost vocabulary and lead to better nutrition, but it eating dinner together also lowers the rate of high-risk behaviors among teens. Read the article
Parenting experts generally agree there are four basic parenting styles. The research supports a correlation between parenting style and children's long-term academic and emotional well-being. This article from non-profit GreatSchools defines these styles and gives parents some guidance on how to adjust their parenting style to address difficult situations. Read the article
This post looks at a new study in Journal of Cognition and Development that examined how siblings teach one another in their home environments. The opportunity for both spontaneous and deliberate teaching moments can have a big influence on development. Read the article
This post from the nonprofit organization Understood.org gives several simple but specific strategies parents can implement to help build strong relationships among siblings. Knowing when to facilitate interaction and when to step aside is a fine art, and parents may find some of these suggestions useful. Read the article
This post, written by two British doctoral students, looks at the role genes play in children’s academic success. They focus on gene-environment correlation, and posit, “Genes are important, not just in educational achievement or intelligence, but in a whole raft of other traits which contribute to how easy and enjoyable children find learning.” Read the article
Ever wish your children told you more about their days at school? This Educated Mom blog looks at ways to allow children more time for reflection and naturally share their experiences and thoughts about their lives. If you don’t ask, they may just tell you, as long as they think you are listening. Read the article
Baby Boomers are the new Grandparents, and are doing it in their their typically large numbers and noteworthy attitudes. What does it mean when Grandma wants to listen to the Beatles instead of reading Goodnight Moon? This Educated Mom blog looks at the generational shift in grandparenting and how the Baby Boomers rock. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog is a humorous take on the road tip, something all families may endure from time to time. While the journey may increase a child’s sense of geography, history, and culture, a mother can never pack enough snacks. Read the article
This is an intriguing article that looks at the studied differences in male and female brains. Using the basis that symptoms for ADHD present differently because of these differences, the author looked into if the same might be true for children with dyslexia. Read the article
Parents may be surprised to learn that bullying among siblings can have equal if not greater mental health impacts than bullying among peers. Read the article
This personal post from a mother of a child with learning differences gives a window into the impact it can have on the relationship between husband and wife. She provides her personal tips on how to keep the family intact through what can be a difficult period. Read the article
This intriguing article in The Atlantic looks at evidence that asserts first children are smarter than their siblings. To find out why, the author looks at seven theories. Read the article
New research points to the genetic components of dyslexia. Of note to some parents may be the high percent of students who are not diagnosed with dyslexia until high school. Read the article
This New York Times post highlights a common challenge of parenting children with different strengths and needs. The author turns to experts who provide insightful advice for a long-range method of cultivating the passions and confidence of each child. Read the article
“Schools reward students who consistently do what they are told— and life rewards people who shake things up.” This article explores why schools should be focused on flexible thinking if they want to be ensure college and career readiness. Read the article
This Business Insider article provides data on career success of high school valedictorians. While they are often successful, they tend not to be the most successful. The author provides some reasons why this might be the case. Read the article
This data provides context on why we some of our most talented students might not be the best students. Read the article
Interviews with two specialists in college admissions and teen stress are at the core of this blog. It empathizes with parents who push for the Ivies. Then in provides a healthier approach to re-frame the college admissions process. Read the article
Great Schools gives statistics on the record number of students dropping out of college. The top reasons include not being academically or emotionally prepared, cost, and not picking a good fit college. Read the article
The Washington Post reports on Making Caring Common, a project of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The project aims to change the college admissions process at elite schools to alleviate stress and put more emphasis on social and emotional skills. Read the article
For those struggling with what they want to do with their lives, this article provides practical advice on identifying what is important to you. It also offers encouragement on how to stick with it. Read the article
US News provides data on the increasing prevalence of anxiety and depression in college students. It offers cautionary advice for parents and their teens to assure they receive the services they need when the go to college. Read the article
This article provides great advice to really get to know your needs and desires before embarking on the college search process, whether or not you choose their recommended product. Read the article
This Atlantic article addresses how foreign language instruction is falling to the wayside in schools, similar to music and arts education. And similar music to arts education, there may be learning and career benefits of dual-language fluency as explained by the language advocates in this article. Read the article
This EdMom blog offers parents long-term perspective on the importance of college admissions goals versus long-term career choices. Given the nature of college admissions process, reading this might alleviate some of the pressure both parents and students feel to have the perfect application. Read the article
This CNBC article addresses the pros and cons of choosing a college outside of the United States and takes into consider financial, social and emotional considerations. Read the article
This Washington Post opinion page explores the rising grade inflation at colleges and the ambiguity it creates around what students know. It also implies there is no reason to believe it will recede. Read the article
This 32 page report from the Harvard Graduate School of Education addresses the current pressures for academic achievement, the high levels of stress, corresponding concerns about behaviors, and recommendations for colleges to take a proactive role in changing the current culture. Read the article
This blog provides a summary of the traditional guidance of when students should tackle specific college planning tasks (college visits, standardized test prep, etc.) and practical reasons to consider alternative timeframes. We emphasize that this is a personal blog that provides one mother's contradictory opinion. However, it prompts considerations other than the single-minded goal of getting into the best possible college. Read the article
This "advice column" offers some healthy perspective for parents on how to identify what type of college might be best-suited for their children and how to coach children through the stressful admissions process. Read the article
This blog discusses a new program aimed at helping high school and college students to discover their passions and life goals. We know that people are most successful in careers for which they have true passion. Read the article
This interview with author of the book ,The ADHD Guide to Career Success, explores the benefits of ADHD in the workplace. However, it emphasizes the importance of choosing an environment that will be most suitable for the strengths and weaknesses associated with ADHD. Read the article
This blog post provides a simple starting point to help students begin thinking and learning about career possibilities. While we never encourage students to over-plan their futures, having a sense of what you might ultimately want to do in life can be extraordinarily helpful when deciding on a college, summer job or whether or not to take specific classes. Read the article
This US News article, targeted at international students interested in US Ivy League schools, provides universally good advice for all students. The overriding message is to pick a school that is best aligned with your interests, career goals, and personal needs because it is more likely to help you reach your ultimate career goals. While prestige-conscious students (and parents) might not fully believe it, this advice is very sound. Read the article
While it's not uncommon for high performers to say "I work too hard" as their biggest weakness during a job interview, this article explains why it might be a far bigger weakness than they realize. And while working too hard might lead to great performance reviews in an entry level job, it could be harmful for long-term career success. Read the article
This article can be an important reminder to parents about modeling behavior for their children. If parents want children to have happy and successful careers, parents should aim to do the same for themselves. Read the article
Regardless of how much parents might want their children to go to college, for some students it might not be the best next step after high school. This post from the New York Times' Motherlode might be helpful for parents struggling with this situation. Read the article
This article has good, straight-forward and concise advice on how high school students should approach the college application process. It was written by the former CEO of the ACT. Read the article
This edutopia article provides advice from an experienced college counselor identifying key skills that lead to career success. Adults can easily begin to cultivate these skills as early as kindergarten. Read the article
This blog from mom-teacher-writer Jessica Lahey provides valuable advice to parents about the importance of students owning the college admissions process themselves. She suggests that the best role for parents is in the background. Read the article
This article is an excerpt of a book from a former Dean of Students at Stanford who notes the negative effects of overparenting in her worldclass students and in her own Palo Alto community. The book is intended to give parents the courage to break the destructive cycle. Read the article
This blog on KIPP schools' website identifies ten colleges that provide special programs to help ease the transition for low income students to college. Many colleges have similar programs for students with specific needs, and students may want to seriously factor such a program into their college selection process. Read the article
The advice in this article in Harvard Business Review is implicitly targeted at affluent parents and their high potential offspring. For this specific demographic, the advice is quite straight-forward and helpful. Read the article
Students anxious about which college they choose may feel better reading this NPR article and learning that the prestige of the institution seems to have little correlation to feeling engaged and thriving in all aspects of their lives down the road. Read the article
Simple advice on how to help (or not) your children select the best college for them, espcially after the letters have arrived. Read the article
This edutopia article provides useful financial planning and career guidance links for high school graduates preparing for college. Read the article
This article in US NEWS looks at a study that shows what happened in college matters more than the prestige of the school when it comes to the happiness of graduates. While many focus on the selectivity of a school when considering its value, this sheds new light on the satisfaction young people experience later on. Read the article
Wondering what to expect from the new SAT? Great Schools looks at college admissions tests, how they have changed over time, and how it could impact your student. Read the article
This article in EdSurge looks at the relationship between those who study a foreign language and the skills required for coding, a profession, that is predicted to be in ever growing demand. The thinking is that not only will foreign languages prepare students for a global marketplace, but that learning a second language also prepares students to more easily learn programming languages. Read the article
This article cites a 2012 State of College Admission Report that says extracurricular activities rank 11th on the lists of items admissions counselors consider important. Instead of spreading our children too thin with a heavy load of activities for the sake of resume building, the article suggests letting children concentrate on a few. Read the article
This is an excellent article for parents, giving one mother’s advice on how to shepherd a child through the famously difficult junior year of high school. Although the focus is on 11th grade, the strategies might be best implemented if parents consider the points far earlier, even before their children enter high school. Read the article
This post in Scientific America is written by Scott Barry Kaufman, Director of The Imagination Institute in the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Kaufman suggests that the new SAT is still only a measure of, “Convergent thinking: the ability to arrive at the single best answer deemed correct by a select committee.” And we’d do better assessing “Divergent thinking: the ability to generate multiple possibilities, ideas, and solutions to a problem.” Read the article
This post gives straight facts about when to take the SAT and the ACT and how often. While every family should make choices based on their individual situations, parents seeking one strategy for the daunting schedule of test taking might find this month-by-month breakdown a useful reference. Read the article
Brenda Bernstein is known as the essay expert, and in this Educated Mom blog, we hear a few pointers. From college essays to LinkedIn profiles, Bernstein hones in on how writers can tap into their abilities to reflect on and relate their best selves. Read the article
This is a must-read post in The Educated Mom for any student considering an internship. Featured is a woman who landed a competitive placement after working hard at an internship and distinguishing herself among her peers. Read the article
This brief article explains why parents should consider job shadowing for a strong math and science student who may not otherwise have exposure to the types of careers utilizing those skills. Read the article
This NPR story explains the results of a new study showing that high school grades are a better predictor of college success than standardized test scores. The College Board announced in March 2014 that the test format would change in 2016 to address this issue. Read the article
This post offers some pragmatic advice for how to properly approach the situation, emphasizing the commitment that is made when one opts for early decision. Read the article
This article, originally published in The Mash, was written by and intended for teens. It includes some straightforward advice for students beginning their college visits. Read the article
This OpEd from the New York Times highlights the line some applicants cross in an attempt to distinguish themselves from others, mistaking TMI for good essay-writing. Read the article
This short blog advises students to discover what they love and find success doing it. Instead of focusing on getting A's, the author says, students should take risks. Read the article
This article in the NY Times profiles Enstitue, a two year program created to be an alternative to college for a select group of talented students interested in learning, "information technology, computer programming and app building via on-the-job experience." Read the article
This blog from Education Week looks at a study that says grit, sometimes called "stick-to-it-ness" was, "nearly as predictive as ACT scores to the college success of young black men who attend mostly white universities." Read the article
This useful site offered by the White House is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s College Affordability and Transparency Center and is designed to help parents and students learn more about the affordability and value of specific colleges. Read the article
This is an important article for all families, although it was written to specifically address the problems students with learning disabilities experience in college. Many of the strategies might be best implemented before any child heads off to college, including the ability to advocate for oneself. Read the article
This article looks at figures showing that although applications at most private colleges continue to increase, enrollment is actually in a decline. Read the article
This post on the Huffington Post is written by the head of a tutoring service focused on the New York City region. The author argues that the pSAT is losing its relevance in light of the changing landscape of standardized tests. Read the article
This blog post will have particular resonance with parents of bright children who struggle with education and finding their way in life. Written by a senior in high school, the post originally appeared in Forbes. Read the article
What is the most important innovation in education technology in the past 200 years? According to MIT, it's the delivery of education via the internet, particularly through the use of MOOC's. At the rapid rate of adoption, the world of higher education could be quite different by the time our kids enter college. Read the article
Is it really a more competitive environment in which to get into college? This article from The Atlantic looks at the specifics beyond the assumptions. Read the article
Mindprint staff highlights their favorite educational apps and games, complete with benefits, considerations, and links to detailed reviews. Read the article
This edutopia blog from Dr. Judy Wills highlights the importance of having specific goals when choosing ed tech products and the features to look for to have a product meet those goals. Mindprint's philosophy and evaluation criteria is very consistent with these views. Read the article
In this blog, the Mindprint team offers suggestions on how to make family game nights enjoyable for a broad range of ages, interests and abilities. Read the article
This post from a pediatrician discusses the downside of video games, particularly for children with known attention weaknesses. Read the article
This is a great article looking at how board games, unlike their electronic counterparts, provide unique social, academic and physical benefits. Read the article
This article emphasizes the effectiveness of using specific types of games in the classroom. The recommendations are equally useful to parents. Read the article
This blog in The Atlantic not only indicates that playing games strengthens executive function, but it also includes the recommendations for games from a psychologist who uses them with patients to better understand their needs. Read the article
You may be familiar with the colorful and artfully created eeBoo games and products, but this Educated Mom post looks at the creators of the boutique brand. With a special focus on the game, Never Forget a Face, this post sheds new light on the special niche in children’s toys and products and the inspiration behind the concepts and artwork. Read the article
Mindprint’s Nancy Weinstein provides her top picks for board games in this fun Educated Mom post. As someone who has reviewed and analyzed hundreds of games for their cognitive and emotional merits, Nancy is an expert in the field and offers some off-the-beaten-path suggestions to add to your family’s game shelf. Read the article
You may hear a lot about “gaming”, but do you know what it is or how it relates to the classroom? This Educated Mom blog gives you the rules of the game. Read the article
This article provides some research backing the educational benefit of games for enhancing focus and effort in learning. However, the article cautions, "...it's a little disingenuous to say that games are good for kids...Like all forms of media it depends on the particular games and how they are used." Read the article
How frequently do teachers use games and gaming in the classroom? This article from the nonprofit, Games and Learning, provides detailed results from a survey of 700 teachers on their usage and efficacy, especially in reaching low-performing students. Read the article
This blog post provides a good explanation of what is meant by educators when they speak of game-based learning and gamification. Read the article
If your child is playing online games in the classroom, this article may be of interest. While the story features the pros and cons of online educational games, it does have a potential positive bias, coming from a technology journal. Read the article
This blog discusses the gender gap in spatial reasoning ability which is believed to translate into the gender gap we see in science, engineering and math professions. The author speculates that because boys spend their leisure time playing video games, they increase their spatial reasoning skills. Read the article
This blog post is the "CliffsNotes" version of a lengthy research report on the use of digital technology to inspire artistic creativity. It may help dispel some skepticism about the convergence of art and technology. Read the article
While this article does not provide the counter-argument, this is one teacher's excellent summary of the benefits of online educational games. Read the article
This article from Edutopia provides a good briefing on some gaming terms and the use of "gamification" or incorporating elements of games, such as rewards and competition, into the workplace and classroom. Read the article
Parents of girls may be surprised to learn that 47% of gamers are girls. This blog post suggests that the qualities that draw girls to such games can be used to attract them to science and math, especially the technique of showing how content relates to the real world. Read the article
This blog looks at a recent interview with the co-authors of Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing. It's a must read for parents interested in how to instill a healthy sense of risk-taking in their children. Read the article
This Mind/Shift blog looks at how teachers use technology in the classroom and how iPads and games might be best utilized for deeper learning. Read the article
This well-researched article from The Atlantic is an expansive and interesting look at the wave of touch-screen games for kids, and how parents, children, developers and experts are responding. Read the article
This article looks at Bill Gate's initiative to move classrooms into "game-based" learning environments, including his foundation's work with The Center for Game Science. Read the article
This Business Insider article provides data on career success of high school valedictorians. While they are often successful, they tend not to be the most successful. The author provides some reasons why this might be the case. Read the article
This data provides context on why we some of our most talented students might not be the best students. Read the article
Read this interesting research on 6th graders from affluent families. It shows that parents who emphasize achievement over kindness have children with higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower self-esteem. Importantly, these children did not have higher achievement than peers whose parents emphasized kindness. Read the article
iNACOL addresses the pitfalls of assigning students letter grades, whether or not the students are successful on these measures. They propose a new system of grading with an emphasis on constructive feedback to foster improvement. Read the article
A school counselor addresses the excessive stress of students in affluent communities and how parents can help their motivated students develop perspective and coping mechanisms. Read the article
Mind/Shift explores how receiving grades interferes with students' intrinsic motivation. Some teachers are trying to change their evaluation approaches to keep students wanting to learn rather than just wanting to succeed. Read the article
The Washington Post reports on Making Caring Common, a project of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The project aims to change the college admissions process at elite schools to alleviate stress and put more emphasis on social and emotional skills. Read the article
High school teacher Oskar Cymmerman talks about his new book for teens, How to Crush School. It shows teens how to work smarter in school based on principles of learning science. Read the article
This brief article explains that there is no correlation between chess and academic performance. However, the author still extols the virtues of playing chess for the enjoyment and thinking skills. Read the article
This Washington Post opinion page explores the rising grade inflation at colleges and the ambiguity it creates around what students know. It also implies there is no reason to believe it will recede. Read the article
This 32 page report from the Harvard Graduate School of Education addresses the current pressures for academic achievement, the high levels of stress, corresponding concerns about behaviors, and recommendations for colleges to take a proactive role in changing the current culture. Read the article
In this MindShift interview with author Denise Pope, the writer discusses the stress students at elite schools feel and the detrimental impact on learning and behavior. Read the article
This cover story from the American Psychological Association discusses imposter syndrome. Some high achievers struggle with the feeling that they just aren't that smart and that they must work extra hard lest they be "discovered." This article gives examples of the occurrence in PhD students and specific tactics to help higher achievers grow more accepting of themselves. Read the article
This powerful Washington Post blog crystallizes the problems of too much stress on children in affluent families and the huge negative consequences on society. Read the article
This article documents "what our intuition tells us to be true: that more engagement results in higher achievement." It also explains why and provides achievable examples to boost student engagement. Read the article
Teacher Maureen Devlin provides an effective example of a conversation between a parent and child going over a report card. Devlin introduces thoughtful questions to the conversation that help coach children to think about the process and routine by which they find their own success. Read the article
This fact sheet from the Michigan Department of Education states that the earlier parents get involved in their children’s educations the better. It notes the best kind of involvement is that which engages “parents in working directly with their children on learning activities at home.” Read the article
This post is part of a series on PBS.org that looks at what skills children learn and master during each grade. It can be a helpful framework by which to evaluate your own child’s progress, although, as with most things, the nature of your individual child and school will play a large role in your own experiences. Read the article
This is a Q&A with a woman who brought The Race to Nowhere to her community. Those who are familiar with the themes of the film, or who are concerned about the state of student burnout, may find this of particular interest. Read the article
Do you remember the cheating scandal at Harvard a few years ago? How about the stories about parents hiring tutors to write their student’s essays? This Educated Mom blog looks at cheating in the Internet age, and cites one survey in which students agreed: “It’s not cheating if everybody’s doing it.” Read the article
This blog post from The Educated Mom looks at the subject of grades and questions whether an intrinsic love of learning can still be cultivated when there is pressure to attain a particular score. While some students can keep their own inner drive, others become focused on grades at the expense of growth. Read the article
This post provides good advice to help a student handle a disappointing grade. Parents may want to share this article with students. Read the article
A recent study explains how parental involvement is a greater predictor of a child's achievement scores than the quality of the school the child attends. Read the article
Angela Duckworth, a University of Pennsylvania professor, MacArthur Fellow, and researcher on the importance of "grit" in the achievement is interviewed in this post on the Scholastic site. Read the article
This mom's post offers an interesting perspective on how and when we should motivate and encourage children to strive for better grades. Read the article
This Atlantic post discusses research from Harvard University indicating that children place greater value on achievement than kind behavior, at least in part because they believe that is what the parents and teachers in their lives value most. The implication is that if adults model their commitment to the overriding importance of behavior, children will place more value on empathy and kindness. Read the article
Perfectionism in children, and the anxiety that comes with it, is the subject of this Q&A with Thomas Greenspon provided by the Davidson Institutes for Talent Development, a school for gifted children. Precise definitions of the types of perfectionism and ways to address it make this a valuable resource for parents. Read the article
This is a short article highlighting the pros and cons of making test and assignment grades immediately available to parents. As one expert is quoted as saying, "...the line between being involved and being controlling is different for each child, since different kids pick up organization and other academic skills at different speeds." Read the article
This short blog advises students to discover what they love and find success doing it. Instead of focusing on getting A's, the author says, students should take risks. Read the article
If you're wondering how Harvard students got caught up in a cheating scandal, this is worth a read. First, we find out that the take home final for this government class said students “may not discuss the exam with others.” The exam was also open book, open note, open Internet, etc.” Whatever breakdown ensued between individual work and subsequent accusations of plagiarism and inappropriate collaboration is not only a Harvard issue; it’s one that faces an entire generation of learners. Read the article
This is an interesting piece that looks at empirical evidence showing successful athletic programs correlate with successful academic achievement in schools. The author questions the quickness of some to rely on, " stereotypes about dumb jocks, anecdotes, and painful personal memories as their proof," that the opposite is true. Read the article
This blog post, written by a Canadian teacher, argues for the abolishment of ceremonies and systems that place emphasis on extrinsic rather than intrinsic motivation. He looks at three myths about education to prove his point. Read the article
This interesting Huffington Post blog by a social scientist takes a different approach to the discussion of boys lagging behind girls in achievement, both in college admission and in language arts. The perception that academic and written interest is viewed as not being masculine, he says, is at the heart of the crisis. Read the article
The system of "tracking" students in schools may be controversial, but this article looks at a new study showing that sorting by ability raises achievement in reading and math for both low and high scoring children. Read the article
This post is written by a gifted student who believes he sacrificed learning for schooling. The cultural emphasis on success and rote memorization, he says, should be replaced by one that accepts failure as part of the road to growth. Read the article
This short article on pressure and stress looks at the philosophy and writings of well-respected psychologist Ellen Braaten. One key takeaway she says is that, "...every child should have one hour of unstructured free time for every hour of structured extracurricular activities." Read the article
While getting more sleep is every teen's dream, this article looks at the movement to begin class later in the morning to better suit the biology of adolescents and improve academic achievement. Read the article
Why do boys get lower grades than girls but score as high or higher on achievement tests? The author of this online opinion piece in The New York Times says it's because grades are based in part on behavior and non-cognitive skills. Read the article
The author of this blog points to three primary flaws in our educational system's use of grades: they are inflated, they do not increase intrinsic motivation, and they are poor communicators of progress and learning. Read the article
This NY Times blog provides a good explanation of how handwriting is key to reading development. The author provides advice on how to balance the teaching print, cursive and keyboarding. Read the article
This overview provides an excellent explanation of fine motor skill development, key milestones, skill tests and terminology. Read the article
Speaking and writing are critical academic and life skills that develop over time. Our experts provide rough benchmarks of what to expect and what steps you should consider if your child seems to be lagging behind peers. Read the article
Academic research indicates kids still need to engage in some rote memorization in order to insure long-term success and higher-level thinking. The advent of technology does not negate the need to have basic math facts and word roots at one’s fingertips. Read the article
This blog is part of a series of posts on Mindprint's The Educated Mom that help explain particular cognitive traits and how they relate to children’s experiences in school and home. This post focuses on visual motor speed, the ability to efficiently integrate gross or fine motor skills to complete a visual task. Read the article
Do you know how your child sees the world? Literally? This Educated Mom blog looks at her recent trip to the eye doctor and the discovery that her daughter sees things in a way all her own. As with other issues, parents do well to remember that how a child learns, communicates and even sees, will be unique. Read the article
This article looks at research showing the importance of developing fine motor and executive function skills in young children, particularly as they can lead to math success. Read the article
This article makes the case for the continued teaching of handwriting and spelling. The author calls on scientific evidence to explain how handwriting and spelling skills are foundational skills for reading fluency. Read the article
Dysgraphia is the lesser known learning disability often found in children with dyslexia. It involving difficulties in forming written letters and sometimes spelling. This blog post from Reading Rockets was written by the International Dyslexia Association to provide an introductory understanding of the disorder. Read the article
This learning specialist tells an intriguing story of how her time in French schools convinced her of the importance handwriting has in the development of higher-order thinking, reading, and writing skills. Read the article
This New York Times article cites the latest research showing the value of handwriting, particularly cursive, in deepening understanding and improving retention. Read the article
Learning to write in cursive is not a requirement of the new Common Core Standards, but this article in The Atlantic still finds a somewhat romanticized view of the values of longhand. Read the article
Parents concerned with a child's writing difficulties may find this Q&A from the National Center for Learning Disabilities helpful. Read the article
The Washington Post looks at the ongoing debate over eliminating the teaching of cursive handwriting in schools. Parents may be interested to hear the argument praising cursive's benefits for some dyslexic students. Read the article
The following blog post is a list of 10 key elements for effective writing. It's a useful reference for parents or students to keep on hand. Read the article
This NPR story includes interviews with researchers who explain how the physical act of writing enhances brain development around skills including comprehension, grammar and spelling. Contrary to many beliefs, there is no proof that cursive is more effective than print, but both are far more effective than typing. Read the article
This Mindprint blog explains why study groups can be very effective for some students, provided students adhere to certain guidelines for participation. Read the article
This Mindprint blog suggests the best flashcard apps along with the strategies to use them so students memorize quicker. Read the article
This Scientific American Q&A explains how background noise can affect focus and retention. The key takeaway is that students really should not be studying with the television on or in a room where others are talking. Note to readers: There are other articles in our collection that explain how soft music might be acceptable, and potentially even beneficial for some. Read the article
Understand the differences between learning and remembering, and why remembering could be the root cause of test anxiety among many capable students. Read the article
High school teacher Oskar Cymmerman talks about his new book for teens, How to Crush School. It shows teens how to work smarter in school based on principles of learning science. Read the article
For many families, nightly homework is undeniably one of the largest stressors for both parents and children. This Motherlode blog provides succinct and valuable insight on how parents should view homework. Read the article
This excellent article from PBS Parents provides advice for parents of elementary school children to develop independent homework habits that will benefit their children throughout their school years. Read the article
Hard work should be valued and praised, but no one wants to see a child always working harder and longer than peers. Our experts discuss the reasons children may take longer and what parents can do to help. Read the article
As the debate on how much homework children should have continues to rage on, this article provides actual specific, research-based evidence that correlates homework to test performance. The answer is that homework should be given regularly and take approximately one hour. Most importantly is that the child should work through the solutions independently to see any meaningful benefit. Read the article
According to the research cited in this article, there is conflicting evidence about positive (or negative) impact of music on learning and memory. The effectiveness might be personality-dependent. The research implies that parents should allow students to have background music assuming they perform well. Read the article
This post explains that while differences in IQ may be subtle, differences in learning strategies are large and profoundly significant on performance. The good news, the authors say, is that we can all incorporate learning strategies “skilled learners” put to use. These post outlines 25 such learning strategies and is a useful reference for parents and students, alike. Read the article
This Washington Post article provides very sage advice for parents of early elementary age students seeking to develop the right long-term independent study habits. Read the article
This insightful post written by a teacher identifies the value of well-designed homework. He mentions how sleep should still be prioritiezed, and cautions that effective study habits are often uninterrupted by social media. Read the article
While parents should allow children to choose and develop the study habits that are most effective, current research shows that most students will process and remember information much better if they take handwritten notes rather than type them. Read the article
This post highlights the importance of metacognition, or awareness of how you learn, in students' performance. A useful list of questions students can ask themselves about how they learn may help some cope more effectively with school work. Read the article
Written by a father who attempts to do his daughter's homework for one week after unsuccessfully lobbying her school to lighten the homework load, this piece in The Atlantic ignited debate about the appropriate balance to promote meaningful learning. No resolution is offered, but perhaps some empathy from like-minded parents. Read the article
While there is no scientific backing for the idea of "learning styles", this graphic outlines strategies that may be of use. Read the article
Setting the intention to manage one's time is a first step for anyone hoping to work effectively. This article is intended for teens with learning differences but is useful for anyone. Read the article
According to this article from Mindshift, parents may be justified if they have concerns that their children are too distracted by technology while doing homework. Although multitasking is an important life skill, the article cautions that doing so while learning new things can mean children, "...understand and remember less, and they have greater difficulty transferring their learning to new contexts." Read the article
Flipped instruction, when students watch a video of a lesson at home and do their "homework" in class in the presence of a teacher, is the subject of this blog post, which is critical of the practice in part because it fails to address differentiated learning. Read the article
This is a concise explanation of what is meant by "flipped classroom" or "flipped lesson." Parents should know that in this approach, students watch a lesson or video at home and school sessions are devoted to practice and clarification. Read the article
The "curse of expertise" is a term used to describe the inability of an expert to actually explain what they know to those who want to learn. This post looks at simple ways to break this curse, which may be particularly helpful to parents helping their children with homework, or even to those who are learning, as they seek better ways to communicate with experts and teachers. Read the article
This article from Science Daily summarizes a large study on math achievement among 5th-10th graders in Germany. While innate intelligence may influence math achievement in early years, study habits and confidence become far more important as students get older. Read the article
This post looks at the scientific explanation for the need for adequate sleep. The final paragraph provides useful tips on how to encourage healthy sleep routines, especially for busy students. Read the article
This article provides sage and specific advice on the right level of parental involvement with homework. Although parents may find it difficult to respect these guidelines, they may contribute to long term success. Read the article
This article from The Atlantic takes yet another stand on how much parental involvement is the right amount. Whatever your parenting style, providing the context to your children as to why it matters to work hard in high school is beneficial in the long run. Read the article
Yes, another article criticizing the amount of homework children are assigned. This one from the NY Times highlights the commonality of homework dread and one family's strategy to keep it from being all-consuming. Read the article
New research from Johns Hopkins and Montgomery County Public Schools shows how creating learning communities for middle school students can have a significant, positive effect on learning outcomes. Having students spend more time with a core teacher and group of peers led students to "perceive their school as positive, equitable place where teachers focused on helping all students learn" [rather than a primary focus on grades and achievement]. Read the article
This personal narrative relives a parents' decision to switch schools for their youngest child when the school could not meet their son's needs for accommodations. This is a common emotional dilemma for many parents of children with learning differences. Read the article
A small research study rates students' satisfaction with being the oldest or youngest in the class when they reached adolescence. This article can help you weigh the pros and cons of a decision. Read the article
This US News article explains why students interested in an academically rigorous curriculum might choose an IB program instead of taking AP Classes. According to the article, there are approximately 800 IB programs, with the opportunity for an IB diploma, in the US. Read the article
This blog post from the non-profit ASCD enumerates the key ingredients for successful student engagement and learning. When parents are evaluating schools they might want to evaluate whether or not the school embraces these instructional approaches. Educators can use this post as quick reminder of what strategies they want to incorporate into their classrooms. Read the article
This Mindshift post details the data-backed decline of creativity both as a population and by individuals. It infers that the existing school culture is the cause of the decline and proposes how schools can reverse the trend. Read the article
This Atlantic article explores the increasing amounts of stress reported among students at elite private high schools. The article confirms parents' suspicions that high school is indeed more stressful than when they were kids. And though it does not provide solutions, it emphasizes the importance of helping kids manage stress to avoid the negative long-term impacts of chronic stress. Read the article
This brief article in The Week magazine provides pragmatic insight into whether or not private school might be worth the expense, with reasons by specific family situation. Read the article
This article in the New Yorker debunks the myth of the advantage of red-shirting children. This popular trend has parents keeping children back so they are the oldest in the class, and presumably will have a leg up on their peers in maturity, academics and sports. While some children may have legitimate reasons for waiting an extra year before starting kindergarten, the takeaway is that red-shirting shouldn't be done for purely competitive reasons. Read the article
This mommy blogger gives the practical truth about the downsides of being at home with your children all day. A must read if you are deciding whether or not to homeschool. Read the article
This is a handy list from Great Schools featuring questions to ask during a look at a prospective school, with specific items to inquire about at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Read the article
This post looks at a survey of “unschoolers”, children who are homeschooled in a way that lets them control their educations, with no formal curriculum. The question of how these children feel about their educations, and their abilities to attend college and be career-ready is looked at in more detail in the survey results provided. Read the article
This blog post looks at a new study in American Sociological Review that seeks to explain the factors that contribute to cliques in high schools. Magnet schools, or those focused with “fewer people and less academic choice” create an environment in which students are forced, “…to mingle more with dissimilar peers.” Read the article
This Educated Mom post looks at the award-winning documentary American Promise and the subject of race and independent schools. Are students of color given opportunities to thrive in these traditionally elite and homogenous environments? As the producer of the film implied in one discussion, with the globalization and changing of the American demographic, perhaps it’s the white students who have the most to lose if we fail in this effort. Also noted is the article in the Princeton Alumni Weekly by Otis Lawrence Graham. Read the article
Are entrance exams a thing of the past? This Educated Mom blog post looks at the announcement made by Independent School Admissions Association of Greater New York to drop the ERB tests commonly used for entrance into elite Kindergarten programs, as well as announcements by some colleges to offer detailed essay assignments in lieu of Standardized test scores. Read the article
We’re not talking about a visit from Mickey; we’re talking about a school district turning to Disney to help improve customer service and experience. With district budgets and test scores under tight scrutiny, this use of time and funds is a controversial management choice. Read the article
The look and experience of college is changing, as many parents may be realizing, with the popularity of Massively Open On-line courses, or MOOC’s. This Educated Mom post is a useful summary of the phenomenon and looks at the powerful reach these courses have when a single university such as Stanford can reach 300,000 students with six courses. Read the article
We’re not talking college; we’re talking preschool. This Educated Mom post profiles a mother in Los Angeles and the competitive environment she and her family face when trying to choose and find placement in a preschool. Those in major cities may relate, while the rest of us read with amazement that the process we associate with college finds its way to these early years. Read the article
This blog post from The Educated Mom looks at the question of “redshirting” young children, a practice of holding them back a year before starting kindergarten. While increasingly popular, the practice is not recommended by neuroscientist Sam Wang, who suggests that children learn best when motivated by peers who are slightly ahead of them and that it is time spent in school that makes children succeed. Read the article
Students will inevitably encounter a teacher with whom, at a minimum, they do not "connect". This Huffington Post blog explains a few ways to turn the experience into a teaching moment. Read the article
This Huffington Post article describes a recent study indicating there is no positive correlation between single-sex classes and achievement. While single-sex schools may be the best choice for some students, this study indicates that parents should not make that choice based primarily on anticipated improved achievement. Read the article
A recent study explains how parental involvement is a greater predictor of a child's achievement scores than the quality of the school the child attends. Read the article
If you are considering homeschooling your child, or just curious about the topic, you may enjoy this blog post from a homeschooling mom who gives her response to five common perceptions about families that homeschool. Read the article
This article is written by a mother, who is also an author, who had to decide if her fourth child would benefit from going to a private high school. It offers the personal account of the reasons she made the trade-offs with public school. Read the article
This CNN post explores the value of "moving around" in school and explains how the writer found a school for her children that fosters movement. Read the article
This article highlights how students need different approaches to learning for two primary reasons. The first is that "one size does not fit all" and children learn better from different approaches. The second is highlighted by a metaphor: just as we best maintain physical health through a variety of foods and exercises, we need a variety of learning opportunities and subjects to optimize learning. Read the article
This Atlantic interview with Glenn Harlan Reynolds, author of The New School, looks at Reynold's opinion of our current school system is antiquated and at, "...his conclusion that the future of American education is rooted in technology, choice, and customization." Read the article
This article states, "...we do not have a systematic way of meeting the needs of the gifted" and continues by explaining the detrimental effects of not properly stimulating profoundly gifted children. One solution, the article presents, however, are online options, not only for intellectual growth, but to find communities of peers with similar abilities. Read the article
This article from the New York Times Motherlode blog gives some thoughtful perspective on if and when it is appropriate to request a specific teacher for your child. Read the article
This article from Great Schools provides advice on how to proceed when they don't "win" the school lottery. Read the article
This is a review of the book, "The Smartest Kids in The World: And How They Got That Way." Parents may find the review (and the book) interesting because the author gets an inside view of the education systems in Finland, South Korea and Poland through the perspectives of Americans studying abroad in those countries. Read the article
When is it advised to hold a child back a year or repeat a grade? This infographic walks parents through three key questions to consider and addresses the advantages and disadvantages of the decision. Read the article
This blog post explores the benefits of self-directed learning, a method used in some private schools. This curriculum relies on children's natural curiosity to guide them and uses natural, every day experiences. The article claims that this type of learning environment can work for almost all children, even those who need structure. Read the article
This article in Education Week discusses the current state of Catholic schools. Enrollment has been dropping but achievement scores outpace peer schools. Some educators credit this to the schools' discipline and values; others say it's due in part to their ability to expel poor performers. Read the article
This Atlantic article written by Chester Finn, Jr., a former assistant secretary of education under Ronald Reagan, describes the declining enrollment in private schools. Finn states, "While unemployment remains high, the marginal advantage of investing thirty or fifty thousand dollars a year in private schooling is diminishing, particularly when those dollars are invested in low-selectivity, lower-status private institutions." Read the article
This post written by Jim Childress, who worked with Nobel laureate Jim Watson, advises us to think about the spaces in which true invention flows. He says, "... you have to create excitement about science, math, and engineering by designing places not simply to impart facts and figures, but flexible spaces where young people want to be, hang out after class, share ideas, and test what they have learned through real-world applications." Read the article
This article provides an analysis of how Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) could one day be used in K-12 situations. The adoption may be best, the article states, for older students, homeschoolers and for the review of standardized tests, such as AP exams. Read the article
This article in the NY Times profiles Enstitue, a two year program created to be an alternative to college for a select group of talented students interested in learning, "information technology, computer programming and app building via on-the-job experience." Read the article
This brief article links to top high schools and colleges that focus on STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and math). Read the article
This article from Harvard Magazine explains how the institution is grappling with MOOCs. Although not all professors are embracing the movement, adoption seems to be accelerating at Harvard and similar institutions. Read the article
This is an in-depth piece on the potential benefits of character education in schools. Educators report an increase in achievement and lessoning of intrusive behavior when the respectful behavior is integrated into the entire school community. Read the article
This New York Times article takes a look at the business models behind such companies as Udacity and Coursera, which are leading the way in offering MOOCs. Read the article
This is a concise explanation of what is meant by "flipped classroom" or "flipped lesson." Parents should know that in this approach, students watch a lesson or video at home and school sessions are devoted to practice and clarification. Read the article
School Choice is the topic of this blog post from Great Schools. Parents who want to learn more about what terms mean, or what makes a STEM school a STEM school, will appreciate the links to video and blog explanations. Read the article
Well-respected EdWeek blogger Walt Garder shares his perspective on why student engagement starts strong but drops off significantly by high school. High school classrooms, he says, are obsolete and teachers are stymied in their efforts to implement change in most public schools. Read the article
With a focus on budgets, this article from the Huffington Post looks at what happens when traditional public schools lose students to charter schools or other factors, but retain those with special needs. The result is a relative increase in that population. Read the article
If your child may be switching schools or you are in the process of selecting a new one, this article from Great Schools may be of interest. The story starts with a overview of how best to assess possible schools and then focuses on issues related to middle school selection. Read the article
Homeschooling is becoming more prevalent in the United States. This brief article from The Economist explains the trends, statistics and outcomes. Read the article
This article from Education Week looks at a new study of charter school performance. While some improvement is noted, it is important to look at the full context of the study described. Read the article
This article from Great Schools does in fact give the lowdown on STEM Schools. It may help parents decide if this type of school would be a good fit for their children. Read the article
In this article, a reporter from New Republic looks at tweets to determine how students cope with boredom in school. How students cope with boredom can determine if it becomes toxic or an opportunity to refocus creativity. Read the article
In this article, Education Week describes the results of its annual Quality Counts report, which grades states on their education policy efforts and outcomes. Read the article
What is the most important innovation in education technology in the past 200 years? According to MIT, it's the delivery of education via the internet, particularly through the use of MOOC's. At the rapid rate of adoption, the world of higher education could be quite different by the time our kids enter college. Read the article
This MindShift article explains why spatial reasoning is a critical, but usually overlooked, area of cognition and long-term math achievement. And how to improve spatial skills. Read the article
Understand how parents can play a critical role in encouraging students to pursue a career in a STEM field. Read the article
A study from the UK shows that teaching students philosophy in a format that required them to consider and discuss philosophical questions in their lives (as opposed to studying philosophers) had a significant positive impact on math and reading skills. The greatest impact was seen among economically-disadvantaged students. Read the article
A teacher explores the importance of giving students longer, critical thinking problems and forcing them to spend the time to think through the problems in detail. As he rightly explains, in the real world there are rarely "fast thinking" problems and yet that is the majority of the problem solving students do in school. Read the article
Mind/Shift explains why developing spatial skills can be key to helping students choose STEM careers. It highlights how one school integrates spatial skills into its curriculum. Read the article
Realizing that word problems can feel overwhelming for some kids, the Mindprint staff created this handy reference sheet students can use to help them get started (and not panic). Read the article
Mind/Shift highlights the key issues many students have with math and provides constructive teaching approaches to support math difficulties. Read the article
This brief article explains that there is no correlation between chess and academic performance. However, the author still extols the virtues of playing chess for the enjoyment and thinking skills. Read the article
While we can't really raise children to be brilliant, there is a lot adults can do to make sure that children develop the critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills that will improve life success. This Mind/Shift previews a book on this topic. Read the article
This article explores the inherent nature of the scientific journey which might lead students to believe they lack the talent to be scientists. And how educators can change that mindset. Read the article
This Mind/Shift article highlights a successful group math curriculum, Complex Instruction, that uses authentic problem solving techniques that has transformed math perceptions for students in urban districts. The approach requires teacher (and maybe student) re-training, but has been shown to have significantly positive results. Read the article
This edutopia article explores a teacher's personal experience observing and developing abstract reasoning skills in high school. The key takeaway is that the science shows us that students come into the classroom with varying abilities but all still at an age of growth and teachers have the opportunity to effectively develop abstract reasoning skills through good pedagogy. Read the article
This article offers another definition of abstract thinking or reasoning which might be helpful for those who want more examples of how abstract reasoning skills might apply in other situations and how they differ from other reasoning skills. Mindprint assesses abstract reasoning and offers its own definition and strategies for supporting this important learning skill. Read the article
This handout from a Stanford University professor provides specific guidance for parents to encourage their children to enjoy math and not grow discouraged. Boaler relates much of her research to the work of fellow Stanford professor Carol Dweck. Read the article
This MindShift post discusses the critical importance of developing questioning skills in the 21st century and laments the reasons that schools do not teacher or foster this habit of mind. Read the article
The ability to ask good questions is at the root of critical thinking skills. This edutopia blog offers teachers guidance on how to encourage good questions in the classroom. Read the article
Strong spatial skills can be an overlooked gateway to STEM careers. This article discusses why spatial skills matter and some simple, practical ways to help students, particularly girls, develop their mental visualization and orientation. Read the article
This is a wonderful, research-based paper explaining the importance of students developing automaticity with math facts. It sets expectations by age and provides useful approaches to helping students develop their math fact fluency. Read the article
Spatial skills may be the most neglected of the core cognitive skills, because we use them less often in academic settings. However, those with strong spatial skills often excel in science, engineering, and other creative pursuits. Parents can cultivate spatial skills in young children in a variety of ways. This article from Mind/Shift suggests 15 books for pre-school and early elementary students to help encourage spatial reasoning. Read the article
This primer from the BBC website provides a great explanation of the types of thinking involved in computer science. It provides relevant examples that can help readers understand why computational thinking is so important for everyone, not just computer scientists. Read the article
This Mind/Shift article addresses the value of "embodied learning" or the importance of movement when students are learning challenging new concepts. Engaging students beyond just their "learning brains" can have even greater benefits for students with test anxiety and attention weaknesses. Read the article
This article explains why critical thinking is important in everyday life, including sifting through social media and marketing messaging. Read the article
This opinion column in the Washington Post addresses concerns about emphasizing the importance of science and math at the expense of a liberal arts education. The author explores the backgrounds of some of our country's greatest tech entrepreneurs, all who studied liberal arts. Read the article
This article discusses new research citing why strong, self-confident math students, particularly women, still opt out of STEM careers. Despite self-confidence, if students are not recognized for their strong skills or have not developed a strong interest in a particular field, they will not pursue a math-related career. The research implies the solution may be to offer more recognition to our most talented math students. Read the article
This Mindprint newsletter discusses the importance of math in every day life and provides suggestions for boosting the practical number skills students will use throughout their lives. Read the article
This Mindprint newsletter explores the oft-neglected but important skill of spatial perception. While this skill comes more naturally to some than others, developing this skill can help a student in everything from geometry to physics to art classes. Read the article
There is a difference between not enjoying math and struggling with the mechanics or concepts. Understanding the causes of any struggles is a critical first step in helping a child succeed. Our experts explain the potential root causes of math struggles and suggest proven strategies. Read the article
Most schools' prevailing approach to math has disengaged or lost many students. In this article in the New York Time's Motherlode column, the author explains why the current approach may be wrong and then recommends specific resources for parents to work with their children on problem solving. Read the article
This edutopia offers a superb explanation of the approach and mindset needed to be a truly good math problem solver. A key takeaway is that experience is the key, so with practice anyone can become an experienced problem solver. Read the article
While this article is not an easy read, the key takeaways are essential for parents and teachers. That is, the current system of timed math performance in elementary school leads to a disproportionately high number of children and adults that do not like math and/or have math anxiety. Read the article
As the debate on how much homework children should have continues to rage on, this article provides actual specific, research-based evidence that correlates homework to test performance. The answer is that homework should be given regularly and take approximately one hour. Most importantly is that the child should work through the solutions independently to see any meaningful benefit. Read the article
This article in Pacific Standard looks at a study that highlighted the inter-related skills involved with math. One issue, the researchers found, was that people are not very good at knowing their own strengths and weaknesses in this multifaceted elements of math, and underestimate or overestimate their skills to their own detriment. Read the article
This is an outstanding post about what has become an overused and misunderstood buzzword in education, critical thinking. If you suspect that the term has lost its power and been swept up in the educational jargon of new curriculum standards, you are most certainly correct. The author traces the term to its origins and gives helpful advice on how to reclaim the heart of the important skill. Read the article
If your child struggles with math, this blog post might be a great way to step back and re-evaluate your approach. It provides step-by-step guidance on how to dissect basic math problems so students can have those "aha" moments. Read the article
Academic research indicates kids still need to engage in some rote memorization in order to insure long-term success and higher-level thinking. The advent of technology does not negate the need to have basic math facts and word roots at one’s fingertips. Read the article
This blog is part of a series of posts on Mindprint's The Educated Mom that help explain particular cognitive traits and how they relate to children’s experiences in school and home. This post focuses on spatial perception, or the mind’s ability to process visual material such as maps, graphs, or symbols. Read the article
This blog is part of a series of posts on Mindprint's The Educated Mom that help explain particular cognitive traits and how they relate to children’s experiences in school and home. This post focuses on abstract reasoning, which is the ability to draw inferences, and analyze information involving objects, images, space or numbers. Abstract reasoning is used in all subjects but is most often associated with learning in math and science. Read the article
This article in Great Schools does a good job examining the idea of “tracking” students in math, and the consequences it can have not only during the high school experience but when students enter college. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog features an interview with New York City public school teacher, Alycia Zimmerman, the creator of a photo on fractions featuring Lego bricks that went viral. Parents of elementary school aged children may enjoy hearing about how she came up with a method for instruction that tapped the passionate interest of her students and their parents. Read the article
This post profiles Vanessa Vakharia, Canada’s Math Guru who established her cozy math tutoring studio as a kind of “hang out” for teens honing their math skills. From candles to tea latte, the tutoring spots are her way of cultivating a love of math and conviction that math can be cool and social. Having struggled with math in her younger days, Vakharia believes anyone can come to love and excel in the subject. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog looks at the official educational unit of the popular plastic bricks, LEGO. Many schools are inviting the company into their classrooms as part of LEGO EDUCATION, a way of engaging students in STEAM and STEAM that may remind them a bit of their favorite toys with added features. Read the article
By now, you may have heard of programs called STEAM which put the “A” in STEM. That “A” refers to the Arts, and the authors of this journal article helped put it there. Artists, this Educated Mom blog explains, are another creative and vital segment needed in the fields commonly reserved for those who stand out in math and science. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog looks at the book, Old Dogs, New Math: Homework Help for Puzzled Parents. The post interviews one of the book’s authors, and provides hope for parents who are wondering why “they’re no longer teaching math the way we learned it!” Read the article
Most teachers acknowledge the fact that children begin the school year having forgotten much of the previous year’s work. Others, however, say, the differentiation is made more obvious because some kids do summer programs to get ahead. The blog from The Educated Mom asks a math teacher to provide parents with some good advice to avoid the summer slide. Read the article
Many parents of grade school children are familiar with the term “New Math” and most have opinions about it. This Educated Mom blog includes an interview with a long time math instructor who gives basic information about Singapore Math, Everyday Math, and others. Read the article
This article looks at research showing the importance of developing fine motor and executive function skills in young children, particularly as they can lead to math success. Read the article
This NY Times article highlights new research indicating the importance of spatial reasoning skills in predicting future achievement in math and science related careers. Read the article
The National Center for Learning Disabilities provides these common signs of a potential math disability in early elementary-aged children. Read the article
Here is a blog from a Stanford PhD candidate and former high school math teacher highlighting why hands-on approaches like workbooks and games may sometimes be preferable to apps or computer-based learning for math. Read the article
This post explains how we may undervalue spatial reasoning skills, yet they can be extremely important for ultimate success in math and science fields. Read the article
This article from professor Daniel Willingham explains why some people have difficulty with mathematical concepts but provides reassurance that most students are very capable of mastering high school mathematics. Read the article
This brief article explains why parents should consider job shadowing for a strong math and science student who may not otherwise have exposure to the types of careers utilizing those skills. Read the article
This article co-written by noted researcher and professor Daniel Willingham, explains the specifics of math anxiety, delves into some of the causes, and provides some research-backed solutions to reduce it. Read the article
This article provides a wonderful visualization of how the most creative and innovative thinkers may simply be better and "connecting the dots" between known information. The article provides a few simple techniques to enable people to improve this skill. Read the article
Parents enjoying statistics will appreciate this international comparison on students' achievement in mathematics. No surprise that East Asian countries came out on top and the US continues to lag European and Asian countries. On a positive note, US performance seems to be improving, particularly among 4th graders. Perhaps most relevant in the "what can parents do category" is to view the significantly high correlations between positive attitude toward math and and long-term math achievement. A key takeaway is that parents have a critical role in shaping their children's long-term success in math by instilling a positive attitude at an early age. Read the article
This is a refreshing perspective on why many students do not like math and suggests ways to improve math curricula. Some aspects of the post are more relevant to teachers than parents, but cultivating a love of math by relating it to everyday occurrences is a strategy parents can use at home. Read the article
This blog post looks into the gender gap in computer science and warns that if the trend is to be reversed, girls must be reached before they enter high school. Read the article
This blog from Edutopia provides two strategies to engage students who are not typically inclined toward science and math: creativity and metaphors. Read the article
This blog discusses the gender gap in spatial reasoning ability which is believed to translate into the gender gap we see in science, engineering and math professions. The author speculates that because boys spend their leisure time playing video games, they increase their spatial reasoning skills. Read the article
This brief post from Education Week looks at a study published in the journal Behavior and Brain Functions, which showed a higher level of math anxiety in girls. Read the article
This article from Education Week highlights promising results from a recent study on a blended math learning program that showed demonstrably improved results among high school students. Read the article
Certain ways of teaching math lead to problems understanding fractions, this article from Education Week states. And the problem is widespread. The article highlights new approaches, some of which parents may incorporate at home, as well. Read the article
This blog is about a toy that was designed specifically to attract young girls to engineering. The creator cites the research of Carol Dweck on the importance of exposing children to possibilities at a young age and teaching the benefits of little failures. Read the article
This article explains a study of second graders published in Child Development: "...cultural stereotypes about math are absorbed strikingly early in development," is says, "prior to ages at which there are gender differences in math achievement." Read the article
This post written by Jim Childress, who worked with Nobel laureate Jim Watson, advises us to think about the spaces in which true invention flows. He says, "... you have to create excitement about science, math, and engineering by designing places not simply to impart facts and figures, but flexible spaces where young people want to be, hang out after class, share ideas, and test what they have learned through real-world applications." Read the article
This blog from Mind/Shift advocates the importance of programming and computer science classes, discussing reasons the work prepares students for challenges beyond careers in computer programming. Read the article
This blog discusses how late bloomers learned to love math through visualization, rather than with the numbers and formulas typically used in classrooms. The post suggests it's not too late to reach older children and inspire them to love math, too. Read the article
Parents of girls may be surprised to learn that 47% of gamers are girls. This blog post suggests that the qualities that draw girls to such games can be used to attract them to science and math, especially the technique of showing how content relates to the real world. Read the article
Looking at Nobel-Prize winning scientists as examples, this article advocates for "arts-infused science education," which brings the creative and visualization strengths of the arts to those who study science. Read the article
This brief article links to top high schools and colleges that focus on STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and math). Read the article
Here is more research looking at how to keep children, girls in particular, confident in math. Instead of looking at math ability as "fixed", children should be encouraged to view their ability as improvable with effort and to accept little failures along the way. Read the article
Math anxiety is common, can start in the early years and has a negative impact on those who suffer from it. This article is a useful reminder for parents and teachers that they can help students overcome the self-sabatoge and gain confidence in their skills and abilities to cope. Read the article
By 2020, there will be 1 million unfilled computer programming jobs, according to this article, which looks at a new series of short films designed to get kids excited about the potential career choice. A link to the film is included.What Do You Think? Read the article
Many parents understand the benefits of introducing letters and literacy skills to their young children, but this post looks at a study showing the benefit of speaking about numbers and math with the same committment. Read the article
High school students are showing more interest in pursuing careers related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, (STEM) according to a study discussed in this blog post. How to maintain that interest, and how to reach girls, who are showing a decreased focus on STEM, are questions the study's authors pose. Read the article
This blog bemoans the decline of "tinkering" among today's students. The freedom to experiment without a fear of failure or pressure to perform should be reclaimed, this author says, if we want to inspire a generation of STEM innovators. Read the article
This article looks at Bill Gate's initiative to move classrooms into "game-based" learning environments, including his foundation's work with The Center for Game Science. Read the article
This article from Science Daily summarizes a large study on math achievement among 5th-10th graders in Germany. While innate intelligence may influence math achievement in early years, study habits and confidence become far more important as students get older. Read the article
A new study from Harvard debunks the conventional wisdom that studying music in the early years improves students' math performance. The authors still encourage students to study music for its intrinsic value. Read the article
If there was any doubt about the value in teaching to students' interests, this blog describes a study showing how algebra performance improved when problems were customized to students' extra-curricular likes. Read the article
This article from Great Schools does in fact give the lowdown on STEM Schools. It may help parents decide if this type of school would be a good fit for their children. Read the article
New research shows that children may be ready for learning math with numbers as early as kindergarten, rather than second grade when numeracy is typically introduced. Read the article
This article from Great Schools explains what you should expect your child to be learning in science at various grade levels. It includes links to the National Science Education Standards for those interested in digging deeper. Read the article
This article from Scientific American explains how strong visual-spatial abilities, abilities often used by scientists, are under-emphasized on standardized IQ tests. Students with such strengths may not be selected for gifted and talented programs despite their high potential. Read the article
This blog is written by a professor of physics who instructs elementary education majors. To quote the author, "confusion is the sweat of learning." Read the article
This math teacher and blogger does a nice job summarizing new math and STEM education research published in 2013. While the research covers a broad range of material, the highlights include evidence that gender differences are real; early math numeracy does matter; and non-traditional approaches can have superior results. Read the article
This post, from the National Center for Learning Disabilities, explains in understandable terms the math learning disability of dyscalculia and how it manifests in early elementary school students. Parents who believe their first, second, or third grader shows signs of these specific struggles may need to be proactive with educators since dyscalculia is generally far less understood (and thus less identified) than reading disabilities like dyslexia. Read the article
Professor John Gabrieli explains the differences in neuroplasticity in the "dyslexic brain" and how that affects reading fluency. His findings emphasize the importance of early intervention rather than what he terms a "wait to fail" model. Read the article
Mind/Shift explains how powerful podcasts and audio books can be for struggling readers. The article includes recommendations by age group. Read the article
Understand why teachers use reading levels (also known as lexiles) and also how to use them to help support students, not prevent them from reading what they might want to read. They key point is that they can provide effective guidance but they should not be rigidly interpreted. Read the article
The National Council on Teacher Quality explains the research on the most effective strategies to teach fundamental reading skills. The lack of adherence to research-backed approaches could explain why students are not meeting basic reading requirements in fourth grade. Read the article
A study from the UK shows that teaching students philosophy in a format that required them to consider and discuss philosophical questions in their lives (as opposed to studying philosophers) had a significant positive impact on math and reading skills. The greatest impact was seen among economically-disadvantaged students. Read the article
Understand the key concepts in reading instruction and how they provide the foundation for detailed teaching strategies. Read the article
This NY Times blog provides a good explanation of how handwriting is key to reading development. The author provides advice on how to balance the teaching print, cursive and keyboarding. Read the article
This one page summary from the International Dyslexia Association provides an excellent overview of dyslexia including prevalence, signs, and supports. Read the article
This open letter from the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) clarifies the organization's interpretation of the research on the importance of specific methods for teaching reading to all children, especially those with dyslexia. Parents concerned about their children's reading fluency should understand how their child is being taught reading and if this method is endorsed by IDA. Read the article
The ability to ask good questions is at the root of critical thinking skills. This edutopia blog offers teachers guidance on how to encourage good questions in the classroom. Read the article
This lengthy 2009 paper from the American Academy of Pediatrics goes into detail about the diagnosis, prevalence and potential treatments for children with dyslexia. The emphasis is on early identification and intervention and highlighting therapies that have no proven efficacy (e.g. vision therapy). Read the article
This NPR post explains why vocabulary building is at the core of building reading comprehension skills. It provides specific advice on how to build vocabulary skills, including the importance of repeated, multi-modal exposure. Read the article
This article explores the strengths and struggles of children who have a dyslexia diagnosis. It offers encouragement that children with dyslexia might be pre-disposed to other, innate talents which parents will want to nurture and cultivate. However, it also cautions about the importance of early identification and intervention for students who might have a reading disorder. Read the article
This Mind/Shift blog addresses the importance of reading aloud to middle school children. Among the reasons, "a child’s reading level doesn’t catch up to his listening level until about the eighth grade." Read the article
This important guide from the Fordham Institute explains the five essential elements of effective reading instruction, which are critical for at-risk readers, including those mildly at risk. It expresses concerns that many whole-language literacy programs fail to diligently address all five essential elements. We agree with all the key points in this paper, but caution readers to recognize that students who are not at risk for reading difficulties can be very successful without a program that adheres strictly to these principles. Read the article
This article explains why critical thinking is important in everyday life, including sifting through social media and marketing messaging. Read the article
Despite the prevalence of dyslexia among students, estimated as high as one in five students, school districts vary greatly on their criteria for giving students an IEP that will meet their very specific learning needs. This Mind/Shift articles explores the challenges families face to get the right services and accommodations for their children. Read the article
For struggling readers or those with a reading disability, structured instruction is crucial in developing reading fluency. This article from the International Dyslexia Association explains the key elements of structured literacy. Parents will want to insist that their struggling readers are given proper instruction in all of these areas. Read the article
This article is based on an interview of teachers from an academically advanced high school who discuss the critical reading skills needed to be successful on AP exams, college, and beyond. Perhaps not surprisingly in the digital age, one of the biggest challenges is to have bright students slow down and read more deliberately. Read the article
This 4th of July weekend newsletter discusses the importance of learning history in developing critical thinking skills and provides three picks for helping kids learn more about history. It also features the Educated Mom's take on jury duty. Read the article
As our experts explain, reading is core to every school subject. Our experts provide some of the signs of a reading difficulty and steps you can take to address a potential concern. Read the article
This blog post explains why we should not motivate children to read using material rewards, such as money or prizes. The desire to read needs to come from within to be sustainable. Adults should, however, help children discover a love of reading. The author also promotes the book-a-day challenge for which we have less enthusiasm, as it begins to resemble extrinsic motivation and simply is not manageable for many children. Read the article
This article explains why independent reading is always the best way to help a child improve and expand vocabulary. Read the article
This article written by two physicians describes signs of dyslexia often overlooked in intellectually gifted children. The authors provide very specific concerns for parents to look for if they suspect an undiagnosed reading struggle. Read the article
This brief article from non-profit Understood.org discusses the Orton-Gillingham reading program, designed specifically to give intensive phonics and decoding instruction to struggling readers. If you have a student who is reading below grade level you will want to understand if this program would be good for your child. Read the article
If you have concerns about your child reading for pleasure, this NY Times column provides valuable recommendations from a respected education researcher and the mom-author on how to foster a love independent reading at home. Read the article
Parents of struggling readers or seemingly unmotivated students may find this article in the Hechinger Report of value. It explains the key to success is engagement, and how engagement takes different forms for different students. The non-profit CAST, founder of Universal Design for Learning standards which can best be described as "essential for some, good for all," is using technology to engage students through varied learning approaches. Read the article
This New Yorker article describes very interesting research on the correlation of brain development and reading among children in grades K-3. The research suggests there might be early intervention opportunities for students that might be predisposed to dyslexia and the importance of addressing problems with struggling readers as early as possible. Read the article
This is an outstanding post about what has become an overused and misunderstood buzzword in education, critical thinking. If you suspect that the term has lost its power and been swept up in the educational jargon of new curriculum standards, you are most certainly correct. The author traces the term to its origins and gives helpful advice on how to reclaim the heart of the important skill. Read the article
Are you wondering if your child is progressing with his or her reading at the appropriate pace? While each child is different, it is useful to understand the expected growth so that you can intercept and support any setbacks. This post gives a specific breakdown of expected progress from age 1 through 13. Read the article
This post on Edudemic is a great resource with links to help better understand dyslexia. Given the prevalence of learning disabilities, all of us might benefit from a better understanding. Read the article
This piece explores the reasons why we might understand and retain information better with traditional books than we do with electronic devices and audio books. Rather than suggesting that we throw out our devices, the author provides ways to use this knowledge to adjust our approach to electronic tools. Read the article
This blog in The New York Times looks at a recent survey done by Scholastic, which indicates that children who are given a choice of what to read during the school day are more likely to continue to read for pleasure throughout middle and high school. Parents and teachers should take these statistics into consideration as they help their children balance the need for breadth and depth of reading materials and their natural interests. Read the article
This blog is part of a series of posts on Mindprint's The Educated Mom that help explain particular cognitive traits and how they relate to children’s experiences in school and home. This post focuses on verbal reasoning, the ability to use words to draw inferences from limited information. Read the article
Thousands, if not millions, of parents have enjoyed the illustrations of Paul Zelinsky, especially his lift-the-flap book edition of Wheels on the Bus. But most may not know that this children’s book illustrator honed his skills at Yale University along side another popular artist, Sandra Boynton. This Educated Mom post may give parents of creative children some encouragement as they mull over the many ways in which such talented young people can develop their interests and careers Read the article
This Educated Mom blog looks at the creation of The Reading Game, a product created by legendary vocabulary book author, Kenneth Hodkinson. After observing his granddaughter in the early stages of wanting to read, Hodkinson created this comprehensive memory-style game to develop early readers with a particular focus on DOLCH words, or sight words. Read the article
Who says the only place to learn new vocabulary words is in an SAT prep book? This Educated Mom blog looks at her family’s recent trip to Colonial Williamsburgh and the trip back into the sayings of the past that have worked their way into modern language, but whose origins may be forgotten. Highlights include: blockhead (used for wigs) and powder room (also for wigs). Read the article
Meet the thoughtful team behind the popular literacy app, Learn with Homer. This Educated Mom blog profiles the literacy expert who helped design much of the content and style of the app, and highlights how a team of creative and inspired developers in Brooklyn have entered the app scene and set a high bar for others. Read the article
The summer slide. This Educated Mom post looks at creative ways to encourage your children to keep up their summer reading. Read the article
This infographic depicts the importance of fluent reading by third grade and makes a case for using audio books to help all children improve their reading proficiency. Read the article
This post looks at a poll of 1000 adults to find out why they prefer physical books over e-readers. While they reasons may or may not apply to your child, the results are interesting and could help you decide when each type of book is ideal. Read the article
Getting younger readers over the intimidation of chapter books can be among a parent's first and most difficult challenges. This blogger provides a helpful top ten list of her favorites with good descriptions of each book's appeals. Read the article
This article from the International Dyslexia Association provides specific signs that a child may have a reading problem and explains the importance of parents taking early action. Read the article
Why study Latin? This post looks at the evidence showing increased performance of students on standardized tests for both verbal and math skills. And best of all, says the author, "It is an exercise in reverse-engineering our own language in order to understand how all the parts fit together to create a whole." Read the article
This post introduces a book funded on Kickstarter. The creator, Sam Barclay, says, "Being dyslexic, one thing always stood out: the available help was always aimed at making me read better. Very little effort was made to help the people around me understand what it feels like to struggle with reading." Read the article
This blog from The New York Times provides hope for dyslexic students, explaining how more frequent reading at early ages can lead to improved success, debunking the idea that the brain is "hard-writed" and can't be changed through expereince. Read the article
This article provides an excellent summary of recent research about the potential downsides of using e-readers for students and gives parents some clues as to how to productively choose and use e-books. Read the article
This research paper examines the role technology can play in improving literacy in children. There are several important takeaways. The first is that technology cannot and should not be avoided; however, schools and parents must embrace "thoughtful adoption". The authors emphasize the importance of Joint Media Engagement, i.e. technology can do wonders but it is not a babysitter; for technology to be most effective parents needs to experience and discuss it with their children. Finally, parents must be selective in their digital technology choices, since most digital media has been created in the past two years and the efficacy of many "educational products" is questionable. Mindprint hopes to help parents solve these problems whenever necessary. Read the article
This article provides a potentially great option for parents of children with dyslexia. A new study shows that customizing e-readers so they display very few words per line can show a measurable improvement in reading comprehension and speed for those with dyslexia. Read the article
This article discusses the option of tinted lenses for some students with dyslexia. The lenses are expensive and are not covered by insurance. Read the article
This blog provides an excellent explanation of the increased demands for reading in 3rd and 4th grade. The author uses this data to advocate for early intervention for students who show weaknesses. Read the article
This press release from MIT explains cutting edge research on early diagnosis of Dyslexia. It provides a concise explanation of the early skills that could signal later difficulties. Read the article
Parents who know or suspect their child has a reading problem will appreciate this first person account written by Ben Foss, an entrepreneur and founder of Headstrong Nation, a not-for-profit organization serving the dyslexic community. Foss, who is dyslexic, invented the Intel Reader, a mobile device that takes photos of text and recites it out loud. Read the article
This NY Times Op-Ed is written by a dyslexic author who did not read fluently until age 13. Still, the writer went onto Yale, medical school and much success. The piece highlights research linking specific cognitive strengths with dyslexia. Read the article
This article is a good primer on the key misconceptions about dyslexia. The explanations are quite good and succinct and include information about how the symptoms present in older children who have not yet been diagnosed. Read the article
This article in The Washington Post looks at News Literary programs which teach students the discernment to look critically at information on the Internet. Read the article
This article from The Atlantic is a wonderful reminder to preserve the joy of reading for children, even as they face more pressures in the school environment. Read the article
With the goal of getting his most, "...reluctant readers to start reading habitually," this elementary school principal turned to e-readers. This post explains his rationale. Read the article
This article written by a reading specialist emphasizes the importance of identifying learning differences early. The author also explains the Response to Intervention (RTI) program, which is intended to screen for such differences before children slip behind or become discouraged. Read the article
While we live in an age that accepts different approaches to education, there is a "right way" to teach reading, according to this article, an excerpt from Peg Tyre's book, The Good School: How Smart Parents Get Their Kids The Education They Deserve. Tyre advocates an aggressive approach to getting kids on-track with reading in the early grades. Read the article
Keeping a journal as a place for writing and drawing--ungraded by the teacher--is a technique some say can engage students in creative writing and reading. This blog post looks at one teacher's use of the tactic, inspired by a children's book. Read the article
New research confirms an actual improvement in reading skills associated with studying music. This blog in The Washington Post features a post by Daniel Willingham, author of, When Can You Trust The Experts? How to Tell Good Science from Bad in Education. While highlighting the new research, Willingham argues music for music's sake is still to be prized. Read the article
This Huffington Post blog from a former teacher provides five useful strategies parents might integrate to keep reading an enjoyable and important part of their children's lives. Read the article
Reading out loud should not end when a child has reached proficiency. In this blog, an elementary school principal lists his top ten take-aways from Jim Trelease's The Read Aloud Handbook. Read the article
This great post, written for a top organization for teachers, will be helpful for parents to consider if they believe their child is an unenthusiastic reader. These universal insights can give parents and teachers a better understanding of how to develop all children into more confident readers. Read the article
Understand if processing speed is the cause of underperformance on standardized tests -- and what you can do to help your students manage their time better. Read the article
The edvocate explains the neurological causes of why some students experience a "brain freeze" during an exam. It provides strategies on how to prevent them, including a few stress relieving techniques and the importance of preparation. Read the article
Good tips for students who have difficulty pacing themselves for standardized tests. The article provides specific advice for each section of the SAT and ACT. Read the article
This Huffington Post blog will offer comfort and optimism to parents who have a bright student who has difficulty with standardized tests and/or slower processing speed. If you are in a similar situation, the takeaway is that parental commitment and individual teachers can make all the difference. Read the article
Understand the differences between learning and remembering, and why remembering could be the root cause of test anxiety among many capable students. Read the article
This psychologist's post explores the signs, potential causes and potential remediations for gifted children who might have slow processing speed. It is an excellent summary for parents concerned about how quickly their bright children can respond and process information. Read the article
This teacher's blog explains why slower working students might have difficulties in the classroom, the importance of understanding the underlying reasons for a student's pace, and strategies for teachers to support their slower-paced students. Read the article
This important new ruling from the Justice Department should make it easier for students to receive the same accommodations on standardized tests as they have in their IEPs or 504 Plans. Read the article
This article begins by acknowledging an important classroom dynamic--that children process information at different rates of speed and that students with slower processing speed can be left behind. The author encourages mindful pauses by teachers. These brief but important pauses level the playing field for students who respond more slowly. It also gives time for speedier thinkers to reflect and better consolidate their learning. Read the article
This article from Understood.org explains the oftentimes difficult to understand issue of information processing in very clear terms. Read the article
This Mindprint newsletter discusses that a little bit of anxiety can be good for test taking, but too much anxiety can weaken working memory and hamper performance. The newsletter provides three good test taking strategies that should help boost test performance. Read the article
There may be solutions for a capable child who consistently underperforms on school or standardized tests. Our experts help you understand the potential reasons and suggest strategies that could help depending on the root cause. Read the article
While this article is not an easy read, the key takeaways are essential for parents and teachers. That is, the current system of timed math performance in elementary school leads to a disproportionately high number of children and adults that do not like math and/or have math anxiety. Read the article
This very personal post from a teacher and mom provides great advice on how to speak with your children about standardized tests to lessen anxiety and improve performance. Read the article
This article from non-profit Edutopia provides a good starting point for parents trying to understand the new national standardized curriculum. It provides links to additional resources that can provide additional insight. Read the article
This booklet is designed for parents and students to understand test anxiety and develop coping strategies. The booklet is written for students, but we recommend parents read through it first and decide if they want to selectively share the strategies they believe will work best for their child. Read the article
This article was written to address the specific concerns of students with ADHD or learning disabilities as they prepare for standardized college admissions test. It addresses how to plan in advance and which test may be preferable and why. Read the article
Wondering what to expect from the new SAT? Great Schools looks at college admissions tests, how they have changed over time, and how it could impact your student. Read the article
This blog post is part of a series of posts on Mindprint's The Educated Mom that help explain particular cognitive traits and how they relate to children’s experiences in school and home. This post focuses on processing speed, sometimes called information processing, which is the rate at which a person can see or hear information, analyze it, and apply it for the task at hand. Read the article
This is a useful post on information processing disorders, typically categorized as either visual or auditory in nature. The article notes that information processing disorders may not in and of themselves be categorized as learning disabilities but are often at the root of learning difficulties. Read the article
This is an excellent article for parents, giving one mother’s advice on how to shepherd a child through the famously difficult junior year of high school. Although the focus is on 11th grade, the strategies might be best implemented if parents consider the points far earlier, even before their children enter high school. Read the article
This post in Scientific America is written by Scott Barry Kaufman, Director of The Imagination Institute in the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Kaufman suggests that the new SAT is still only a measure of, “Convergent thinking: the ability to arrive at the single best answer deemed correct by a select committee.” And we’d do better assessing “Divergent thinking: the ability to generate multiple possibilities, ideas, and solutions to a problem.” Read the article
This post gives straight facts about when to take the SAT and the ACT and how often. While every family should make choices based on their individual situations, parents seeking one strategy for the daunting schedule of test taking might find this month-by-month breakdown a useful reference. Read the article
The Common Core standards and revised teacher evaluation criteria linked to them have been in the news of late, and this Educated Mom blog looks at one neighborhood in Brooklyn that has begun to push back. Described as a neighborhood and school that usually “do what they are supposed to do” the parents, students, and administration of this school found themselves in new territory as they pushed back to the new tests. Read the article
This NPR story explains the results of a new study showing that high school grades are a better predictor of college success than standardized test scores. The College Board announced in March 2014 that the test format would change in 2016 to address this issue. Read the article
Why study Latin? This post looks at the evidence showing increased performance of students on standardized tests for both verbal and math skills. And best of all, says the author, "It is an exercise in reverse-engineering our own language in order to understand how all the parts fit together to create a whole." Read the article
This blog post from a college counselor provides some useful, basic information about the ACT and SAT, and good advice for high school sophomores. Read the article
Standardized state achievement tests do not provide the insight or accountability parents and teachers need to help students, says a New York Principal in this opinion piece. He describes parent reactions, which in some cases include opting-out of testing, or sending scores back in protest. Read the article
Two leaders in standardize testing reflect on the state of such testing in the United States today in this interesting Q&A. This article won't help you prepare your child for testing, but it gives background and insight not often found. Read the article
This is a detailed look at the trend towards computerized adaptive tests, which change, or adapt, based on how the student is doing. Such tests involve some expense and may not work well for all subjects, but they are touted as being able to more precisely measure the range of student knowledge, provide faster results, and be more interesting to take. Read the article
This brief post from Education Week looks at a study published in the journal Behavior and Brain Functions, which showed a higher level of math anxiety in girls. Read the article
This is a helpful read for parents who want to help a child they believe suffers from excessive test anxiety. This short post is adapted from the author's article in Time Magazine. Read the article
This article from Reuters highlights the ongoing conflict surrounding standardized testing, especially in young children. While such testing can be an aid in early identification and intervention, it can also create undo pressure and lead to premature categorizations. Read the article
Concerned about how United States students perform on the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA)? This blog post in The Washington Post puts the results in perspective. Read the article
This blog looks at the conclusions of Yong Zhao, an author and professor of education, who found a correlation between high test scores and lower confidence. Zhao suggests that America's de-centralized approach to education could be the source of the nation's entrepreneurial spirit. Read the article
This article from Marilee Sprenger, a well-known educator and lecturer on neuropsychological issues, explains why students need a solid understanding of the vocabulary used in the common core, freeing their memories and minds to then focus on the work at hand. Read the article
This short post questions the value of multiple-choice questions in a world that demands 21st-century skills and problem-solving. Read the article
This article outlines the differences between the SAT and ACT and helps readers determine which test may be the best fit for particular students. Read the article
This NY Times blog highlights the key points in a longer magazine piece, providing sound advice to help children cope with test anxiety. Read the article
This post on the Huffington Post is written by the head of a tutoring service focused on the New York City region. The author argues that the pSAT is losing its relevance in light of the changing landscape of standardized tests. Read the article
Like an athlete in training, students preparing for the SAT should build stamina to complete the full SAT effectively, says this blogger, the SATdude. Read the article
A recent study suggests that some people with anxiety may perform better if they are told to "get excited" rather than to "calm down". While this research is relatively new, parents and teachers may want to try this approach with some students. Read the article
This article on Scholastic was written by a teacher (yes, there's a typo in the article proving even teachers make mistakes) who identifies the key problems many students have when answering essay questions on standardized tests. Parents and students may find her quick pointers helpful to review. Read the article
Learn about five things you can do over the summer months to improve school year habits and success. Read the article
This Ed Mom blog from Varsity Tutors explores the importance of summer learning and provides helpful suggestions for parents depending on a child's age and objectives. Read the article
This mom blog offers perspective to parents on when it might be the right time to call a tutor versus trying to help a child at home. If you are struggling with homework time and trying to decide what to do next, this blog provides what you might want to consider in your decision. Read the article
This Mindprint newsletter provides guidance for parents on when they may need to consider getting advice from a professional to help a struggling child. The newsletter address social, emotional and academic concerns. Read the article
Mindprint highlights three easy-to-do research-backed steps to approach summer learning in this newsletter. Read the article
This article from Great Schools addresses the debate over whether or not summer homework is getting more intense (it is) and whether or not is worthwhile (in its typical format, probably not). Read the article
This blog post explains why we should not motivate children to read using material rewards, such as money or prizes. The desire to read needs to come from within to be sustainable. Adults should, however, help children discover a love of reading. The author also promotes the book-a-day challenge for which we have less enthusiasm, as it begins to resemble extrinsic motivation and simply is not manageable for many children. Read the article
Children with learning differences may welcome summer as a break from the pressures of the school year, as all kids do, but they, even more than others, may benefit from keeping up with their studies. In this Educated Mom post, we get summer advice from a teacher who works primarily with children who have learning differences. Read the article
Most teachers acknowledge the fact that children begin the school year having forgotten much of the previous year’s work. Others, however, say, the differentiation is made more obvious because some kids do summer programs to get ahead. The blog from The Educated Mom asks a math teacher to provide parents with some good advice to avoid the summer slide. Read the article
This Educated Mom posts looks at the experiences of a few grown-ups at Mindprint, and relates their most memorable and meaningful summers. Parents looking to enrich their children’s summers may find these perspectives useful. Read the article
This summary piece from Great Schools provides some high level perspective on when you should consider a tutor and the potential options. The article emphasizes the importance of early intervention if a child struggles with fundamental skills such as reading, writing, or completing homework assignments. Read the article
This brief post from a leader in blended learning resources, Getting Smart, provides statistics on the decline in math and reading performance for students who do not supplement over the summer.The post gives three useful suggestions for summer learning that you may not have heard of. Read the article
Students only spend 14% of their waking hours in school during a typical year, leaving a lot of time left for out of school or "informal learning". This article highlights the importance of informal learning and provides suggestions for making the time enjoyable and productive. Read the article
This blog in Education Week is written by a college counselor who suggests teens should use their summers pursuing rigorous learning or work, not light-weight summer programs or internships designed to fill a resume. Read the article
This well-researched article from The Atlantic is an expansive and interesting look at the wave of touch-screen games for kids, and how parents, children, developers and experts are responding. Read the article
This article from Market Watch looks at the tutoring industry's growth and the price parents are willing to pay for help that goes beyond single-subject areas. Read the article
The government of South Korea may want children to have a bit more unstructured time away from school, but according to this article, parents are responding to this change in the school week by filling that time with tutoring and additional classes. Read the article
This brief post from Forbes looks at the growing industry of online tutoring. While many students report improved academic performance from such tutoring, the author examines potential shortcomings. Read the article
Scholastic provides a detailed explanation of the steps every child progresses through while learning to spell. Initially spelling is based on visual memory but then progress to more associative spelling where students must understand patterns and logical associations. Read the article
EmergingEdTech explains how writing demands have evolved with technology and how to set proper expectations for today's young writers. Read the article
A teacher explains why some students can be "overlooked." She offers specific strategies to give all students the time and support they need to learn to speak comfortably in class. Read the article
This resource for parents and teachers provides suggestions on how to motivate reluctant writers. Read the article
The Week wrote this for adults but its lessons will easily apply to students who are struggling with anxiety or loss. The article explains how writing about your feelings for as little as 20 minutes a day for four consecutive days can have a meaningful beneficial impact on emotional well-being. Read the article
This teacher 's blog helps parents understand how teachers view the intersection between spelling and writing, and why teachers might be less focused on spelling mistakes in early elementary school than parents might expect. Read the article
Public speaking is a critical life skill, but it is often overlooked in the classroom. Maybe that's why speaking in front of an audience is considered to be most people's number one fear. This edutopia article coaches teachers on how they can easily and effectively develop speaking skills in the classroom. Read the article
This blog from educator and author Starr Sackstein provides excellent advice to encourage reluctant writers to grow comfortable expressing their inner voice. One of our favorites is "getting rid of the red pen." Read the article
This Mindprint newsletter discusses the importance of good writing and provides useful suggestions to engage reluctant writers. Read the article
Speaking and writing are critical academic and life skills that develop over time. Our experts provide rough benchmarks of what to expect and what steps you should consider if your child seems to be lagging behind peers. Read the article
This advice from an experienced introvert-turned-teacher guides teachers on how they can effectively work with reluctant speakers. Parents of introverts may want to consider sharing this article with their child or child's teacher to find a comfortable solution for both student and teacher. Read the article
This progress checker from a UK non-profit can be a helpful way to see if your child's communication development is following a typical progression. If you have lingering concerns after reading this information, we recommend you consult your pediatrician or school. Read the article
This is a great blog directed for teachers of upper elementary and middle school students to guide them on reinforcing basic writing skills. However, parents can read it to better understand age-appropriate writing development and how they might help their child's writing if they want to get more involved in instruction. Read the article
The Atlantic cautions adults about the link between increased use of social media and increased prevalence in social anxiety among teens. While social media undoubtedly helps some, the researcher says that “Now young people can’t look you in the eye, they get antsy talking to you in person." The article explores all the negative consequences of social anxiety. Read the article
This blog post from The Educated Mom discusses the importance of learning a poem by heart, or committing it to memory. The post looks at initiatives in England, a country known for its public support of poetry and drama, and relates learning a poem to owning a great piece of art because it is carried within. For those looking for ways to improve their child’s memory, sense of literature, or emotional outlets, this post provides a link to a collection of poems. Read the article
This spot-on article from Fast Company is written for adults who need to speak in the workplace, but the recommendations are applicable to students in middle school and beyond who need to make oral presentations. Read the article
This article makes the case for the continued teaching of handwriting and spelling. The author calls on scientific evidence to explain how handwriting and spelling skills are foundational skills for reading fluency. Read the article
This blog post from Bank Street College provides a powerful explanation of teaching children to write through self-reflection. Read the article
This feel-good column from The Washington Post is a good reminder that giftedness is not limited to standardized test scores. Here is just one program that rewards budding poets. Read the article
This article provides some creative examples of how mobile technology enables cheating. Perhaps of greater concern is that some students may be cheating without believing they are behaving inappropriately. Read the article
This is a great blog looking at a recent study by Pew Research, "The Impact of Digital Tools on Student Writing and How Writing is Taught in Schools." On the positive side, students are more comfortable writing for an audience and receiving feedback. However, technology has had some negative impacts the study found, from not understanding copyright laws to a decreased awareness of when to choose a more formal style. Read the article
This post looks at a unique connection between a group of 6th graders and 12th graders on opposite sides of the country. The older students have edited the younger students' writing, a peer relationship that has reportedly had benefits for both groups. Read the article
This article looks at how high school debating teams are integrating technology. While the oral debate is still prized, students are making use of the ability to research and post supporting arguments online, and may tap into the ability to debate teams remotely.What Do You Think? Read the article
While some parents may argue against class participation contributing to a student's grade, this article is a teacher's explanation of why it needs to count. Read the article
The "curse of expertise" is a term used to describe the inability of an expert to actually explain what they know to those who want to learn. This post looks at simple ways to break this curse, which may be particularly helpful to parents helping their children with homework, or even to those who are learning, as they seek better ways to communicate with experts and teachers. Read the article
Keeping a journal as a place for writing and drawing--ungraded by the teacher--is a technique some say can engage students in creative writing and reading. This blog post looks at one teacher's use of the tactic, inspired by a children's book. Read the article
The following blog post is a list of 10 key elements for effective writing. It's a useful reference for parents or students to keep on hand. Read the article
This article on Scholastic was written by a teacher (yes, there's a typo in the article proving even teachers make mistakes) who identifies the key problems many students have when answering essay questions on standardized tests. Parents and students may find her quick pointers helpful to review. Read the article
This blog post, written by a mother who is also a writer, offers good advice on how to encourage and sustain independent writing in children. Read the article
This NPR story includes interviews with researchers who explain how the physical act of writing enhances brain development around skills including comprehension, grammar and spelling. Contrary to many beliefs, there is no proof that cursive is more effective than print, but both are far more effective than typing. Read the article
The stress of living in poverty can have long-term impact on children’s brain development, most particularly executive functions, without intervention. Please contact Mindprint if you'd like to learn more about how we can help you identify which students are struggling the most and how best to support them. Read the article
This excellent Washington Post article by Phyllis Fagell helps parents understand what they need to do when they notice a change in their child's academic or school behavior. The author does an excellent job providing solutions for the most common situations parents might face. Read the article
This lengthy research article goes into details on the different sub-categories of executive functions, how they are measured, and how deficits in these skills can affect learning, behavior and life skills. Table 1 provides research on life challenges when executive function deficits are not addressed. Read the article
ADDitude Magazine identifies learning disabilities that might overlap with ADHD and the potential confusing characteristics. Read the article
This Mindprint blog explains why more students might be showing ADHD symptoms as a result of too much technology use. Read the article
Child Mind Institute explains why anxiety is often misunderstood as ADHD, bad behavior, or OCD. Anxiety often needs to be treated first, even if there is another concurrent condition. Read the article
This helpful post explains some of the similarities and differences of ADHD vs. specific learning disabilities (SLD). Treatment and intervention options will differ based on the diagnosis. Read the article
This Scientific American Q&A explains how background noise can affect focus and retention. The key takeaway is that students really should not be studying with the television on or in a room where others are talking. Note to readers: There are other articles in our collection that explain how soft music might be acceptable, and potentially even beneficial for some. Read the article
This Huffington Post blog from a pediatrician provides succinct planning advice for parents of students with ADHD who are preparing for college. Students with ADHD can be very successful at college but they might need additional supports for organization and time management as they grapple with the lack of structure in many college environments. Read the article
This article highlights a research study showing how even students with mild, unidentified attention weaknesses can fall behind in school. Fortunately, there are simple strategies teachers can use to support these children, but they must be aware of who needs this support. The research focuses on students as young as 6. Mindprint can identify mild attention weaknesses in children starting at age 8. Read the article
This interesting blog from Mind/Shift starts with the inspiring story of the researcher who was dismissed as a learner from an early age. He's now a professor studying imagination. His research shows why the brain's "imagination system" operate only when executive functions are silent, suggesting that creativity and focused attention might be in conflict. Read the article
This detailed article from ADDitude magazine explains why parents might want to consider cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as a predecessor and/or in addition to medication for children with ADHD. It provides the specific details on what a CBT program should include, and guidance on the amount of parent and child commitment that will be required to make CBT successful. Read the article
This Mind/Shift article provides a brief explanation of why children born later in the calendar year are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD in early elementary school. While the knee jerk reaction might be to have these students wait a year before starting school, the recommendation is to let them start school when they are intellectually ready but be prepared to give them the extra supports they need with behavior until their maturity catches up to their older peers. Read the article
This brief Scholastic article provides some age and personality-related perspective on childhood impulsivity. It include age-appropriate suggestions for parents to help their children manage this important life skill. Read the article
This article explores why girls have been historically under-diagnosed with ADHD and the potential long-term consequences of going undiagnosed. There are gender differences in the signs of ADHD, and since girls are less likely to display hyperactivity adults need to be aware of the other potential signs. Read the article
This mom-psychologist shares the ADHD story of her [now] adult twins and advises, "instead of overprotecting their kids, parents serve them best by focusing on self-advocacy, confidence-building, and helping them to understand their disability, and find their strengths." Read the article
This interview with author of the book ,The ADHD Guide to Career Success, explores the benefits of ADHD in the workplace. However, it emphasizes the importance of choosing an environment that will be most suitable for the strengths and weaknesses associated with ADHD. Read the article
This Mind/Shift article addresses the value of "embodied learning" or the importance of movement when students are learning challenging new concepts. Engaging students beyond just their "learning brains" can have even greater benefits for students with test anxiety and attention weaknesses. Read the article
This blog from Educated Mom summarizes the insights from a very helpful hour long video from Understood.org about the key characteristics of ADHD. A link to the full video is included. Read the article
This excellent video from non-profit Understood.org interviews two medical experts on ADHD who explain why most students with ADHD do not fit the traditional stereotype of the hyper, disruptive child in the back of the room. The discussion addresses why diagnosing ADHD is important for the child and the ways that parents and educators can support students with a diagnosis. This is a must-watch for educators and parents of children with, or suspected to have, ADHD. Read the article
In this blog, a child psychologist offers parents the alternative point of view to medicating a child with ADHD. While medication might be appropriate, she provides context for parents to thoughtfully evaluate their decision. Read the article
This article in the Boston Globe explores whether schools' investments in helping bolster executive functions is paying dividends in increased math and reading scores. The short answer is there is no supporting evidence yet that it does. But the research is still new and the measurement tools of executive functions are not robust. Read the article
This blog from Understood.org explains what is meant by executive functions and how weaknesses can prove troublesome for adolescents. The good news is that even those students with weaker executive functions can and often do catch up to their peers, but it is important to help a child in the interim. Read the article
Our experts explain how you might know if your child's behavior signals a possible problem with attention, the core approach to addressing attention problems, and why it is important to address attention weaknesses early. Read the article
This article provides a detailed explanation of the reasons why people with attention disorders also have a higher propensity to be overweight or suffer from an eating disorder. Read the article
Contrary to most popular educational theories, this article cites evidence that children with attention disorders may focus better if allowed to fidget and move around in class. However, the researcher cautions this effect is only true with children with an attention weakness. Moving around or fidgeting could have negative impacts for children with age-appropriate levels of attention. Read the article
This blog from non-profit Edge Foundation provides insight into the specific challenges for girls with ADHD. In this interview, a child psychologist explains the different symptoms and experiences among girls given the lower diagnosis rates and less obvious symptoms. Read the article
This is the second article in a two part series written by a child psychologists that provides very helpful, very specific strategies for parents of children with attention weaknesses cope with social situations. Read the article
This new study indicates that current strategies to help students with ADHD may be detrimental to learning. The implications could have an enormous impact for children with ADHD. Read the article
This is a must-read article for all parents of adolescents because it provides a guide on how to parent through a challenging phase. Parents of children with ADHD or other executive function issues will find this article to be of special value, given what we now understand about the brain during this period of growth. Read the article
The social impacts of an attention disorder can often be overlooked with all the emphasis placed on helping a child face the academic challenges. Children with attention weaknesses could be disliked for reasons they don't fully understand. While this post by a child psychologist raises some discouraging statistics, parents who are aware of the challenges can provide the appropriate coaching and support to help children avoid some predictable pitfalls. Read the article
This post from a pediatrician discusses the downside of video games, particularly for children with known attention weaknesses. Read the article
This Atlantic magazine article focuses on how to encourage today's children (and adults) to stop rushing "to get the answer before really thinking through the question." The article explores the methodologies that teachers, and parents, can use to help students regain this critical life skill. Read the article
This is a fantastic primer that lists the professionals associated with conducting educational assessments and helps parents understand their ability to make a diagnosis. For example, the author reminds parents, “…many of these professionals can suspect LD and/or ADHD but all are not licensed, or have the needed certifications to diagnose the disorders.” Read the article
This piece explores the reasons why we might understand and retain information better with traditional books than we do with electronic devices and audio books. Rather than suggesting that we throw out our devices, the author provides ways to use this knowledge to adjust our approach to electronic tools. Read the article
This article is a worthwhile read for parents of a child with an actual or suspected ADHD diagnosis. The author gives examples of how an inaccurate ADHD diagnosis can disguise the true problem. The author believes that many children might be on medication that won't help them and also are not receiving the proper interventions that can. While the author does not have data to support her beliefs, parents should heed her advice to proactively understand a child's ADHD diagnosis, particularly if the diagnosis is based on subjective data. Read the article
This article in the magazine, ADDitude, looks at the causes of poor sleep for children with ADHD, the symptoms of sleep deprivation, and some useful strategies for helping these children create a realistic bedtime and sleep schedule. Read the article
This article in the British newspaper, The Guardian, is written by a neuroscientist. He says the multi-tasking afforded by technology is making us less efficient and less intelligent. He describes our predicament as: “We are doing the jobs of 10 different people while still trying to keep up with our lives, our children and parents, our friends, our careers, our hobbies, and our favourite TV shows.” Read the article
This blog is part of a series of posts on Mindprint's The Educated Mom that help explain particular cognitive traits and how they relate to children’s experiences in school and home. This post focuses on attention, the executive function defined as the ability to initiate and maintain focus for learning, work, and behavior control. It is a skill in the cognitive domain of executive functions. Read the article
This article looks at a study that used optogenetics to, “reveal exactly how the motor cortex, which controls movement, can tweak the volume control in the auditory cortex, which interprets sound.” Parents might be interested in this facet of listening as it pertains to their children’s ability to absorb material. Read the article
This article discusses an Australian study that showed children with ADHD were more likely to have struggles with math, reading, and social issues than children without the disorder. The authors found that by second grade, these struggles were more common for children with ADHD, and called for early-identification of these over-lapping issues. Read the article
This post by University of Pennsylvania professor, Scott Barry Kaufman, cites research saying people with ADHD are more likely to “…reach higher levels of creative thought and achievement than people without these characteristics.” Kaufman cautions that those with ADHD are often shut out of Gifted and Talented programs and need to be recognized for their potential. Read the article
This article on WebMD discusses research on the relative benefits of ADHD medication versus talk therapy and takes a look at the fallout of the recommendations from 20 years ago. Read the article
According to this opinion in The New York Times, many researchers believe that young children are being over-diagnosed with ADHD with long-term negative consequences for individual children and society at large. Read the article
This article in The New York Times explains that many pediatricians received insufficient training to diagnose ADHD and what steps are being taken now to remedy the issue. Read the article
This article explains the latest research evaluating the effectiveness of brain training programs for children with ADHD or other attention issues. According to the researcher, "We found that these treatments are not effective for treating children with ADHD. They don't improve ADHD symptoms or behavior, they don't improve academic achievement, and in many cases do not improve the cognitive functions they claim to target." Read the article
This CNN post explores the value of "moving around" in school and explains how the writer found a school for her children that fosters movement. Read the article
This New York Times article presents information on the potential over-diagnosis and over-treatment of ADHD, emphasizing the importance of properly treating those who truly suffer from the condition. Read the article
This New York Times Magazine article highlights the value of mindfulness in improving attention and working memory. However, the article also points to new research indicating there could be "too much of a good thing" when mindfulness interferes with the mind's meandering and creative new ideas. Read the article
This post from the non-profit Child Mind Institute explains why girls with ADHD often go undiagnosed and the potential emotional consequences of a delayed diagnosis. Read the article
This post, from a lawyer with a learning disability, gives sound advice those for those who may feel misunderstood or criticized because of their learning differences. His personal account is followed by a short list of tips to put into practice. Read the article
Gifted kids who have enormous amounts of physical energy are often misunderstood and misidentified, this article says, in part because, "...abundant physical energy is so opposite from the typical image of a gifted learner, it’s shamefully easy to overlook this child’s intelligence and focus only on his behavior." Read the article
Parents considering or using medication for children with ADHD may appreciate this primer from the non-profit Child Mind Institute detailing the types of medications and the related research. Read the article
This cover story from the New Republic is one mother's point of view on the over-diagnosis of what she calls "non-conformist" children. The author looks at popular books and theories about success and takes an interesting, at times skeptical, perspective. Read the article
This blog highlights the cognitive value of "unplugging" and taking time to daydream. Research indicates it can help in the consolidation of learning and improve attention. Read the article
In this controversial story in The Atlantic, the author purports that teachers and schools may be penalizing boys unfairly for appropriate "boy behaviors". As a teacher, she believes schools should find new methods to harness boys' energy rather than simply trying to discipline it. Read the article
According to this article from Mindshift, parents may be justified if they have concerns that their children are too distracted by technology while doing homework. Although multitasking is an important life skill, the article cautions that doing so while learning new things can mean children, "...understand and remember less, and they have greater difficulty transferring their learning to new contexts." Read the article
This article profiles a boy who had problems with homework and other chores but was otherwise well-behaved when doing tasks he enjoyed. He is an example of a child with ADHD who is often not readily understood. "It’s not that kids with ADHD can’t pay attention," the article states, "rather it is inordinately difficult for them to make themselves pay attention." Read the article
This is an intriguing article that looks at the studied differences in male and female brains. Using the basis that symptoms for ADHD present differently because of these differences, the author looked into if the same might be true for children with dyslexia. Read the article
Boys and girls generally present symptoms of ADD or ADHD differently. Although the symptoms of boys are the traditional ones that teachers notice, this brief article describes some of the common symptoms in girls, which may have important consequences. Read the article
The legislation around whether or not children with ADHD qualify for special education services is indisputably confusing. This blog post provides some helpful advice on how to advocate for your child. Read the article
Girls present with ADHD/ADD differently from boys and face different challenges. This blog looks more closely into the topic and provides practical strategies for helping girls with ADHD. Read the article
This article from the National Center for Learning Disabilities tackles the question of whether movement therapy can improve attention in kids with ADHD, Autism and other learning differences. After doing their own research, they believe the answer is no. Read the article
This scientific article validates a common hypothesis that a "short bout of exercise" increases self-control among children and teens. The benefit may come from the increase in blood to the pre-frontal areas of the brain which are responsible for executive functions. Read the article
This short article summarizes the findings of the largest longitudinal study thus far of pre-schoolers diagnosed with ADHD and their conditions with and without medication 6 years later. Read the article
Why do boys get lower grades than girls but score as high or higher on achievement tests? The author of this online opinion piece in The New York Times says it's because grades are based in part on behavior and non-cognitive skills. Read the article
“Schools reward students who consistently do what they are told— and life rewards people who shake things up.” This article explores why schools should be focused on flexible thinking if they want to be ensure college and career readiness. Read the article
Mindprint blog on the FIVE steps to developing creative thinking: foundation, imitation, variation, extension and, finally, transformation. Read the article
Noted educational leader provides his perspective on the problems with the existing educational model. His basic conclusion, "if collectively those involved in the education system changed what it means to achieve in a way that honors the natural diversity of human life, many more people would see themselves as achievers and would push themselves beyond expectations set for them." Read the article
A teacher explores the importance of giving students longer, critical thinking problems and forcing them to spend the time to think through the problems in detail. As he rightly explains, in the real world there are rarely "fast thinking" problems and yet that is the majority of the problem solving students do in school. Read the article
Author Jess Lahey interviews popular Wharton professor and author Adam Grant on how to create environments that encourage originality. The focus is primarily on how to nurture creative students so they do not feel stifled, Read the article
This longitudinal study on mathematically gifted youth suggest that if gifted students receive the appropriate nurturing they are far more likely to have significant success and influence than their typically developing peers. The researchers encourage parents and educators to identify and nurture these exceptionally talented students for the overall betterment of society. Note to readers: Mindprint measures spatial ability, the key differentiating factor that is often unidentified by other tests of giftedness. Read the article
There is a strong positive correlation between time for unorganized play in childhood and creativity in adulthood. While organized sports have their advantages, the author suggests that they be properly balanced with free time. Read the article
While we can't really raise children to be brilliant, there is a lot adults can do to make sure that children develop the critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills that will improve life success. This Mind/Shift previews a book on this topic. Read the article
This blog laments the loss of creativity in schools and provides seven basic ways that schools and teachers can foster creative thinking by altering their perspectives on student behavior and attitudes. Read the article
This author explains the difference between creativity and intellect. He explains how creative geniuses demonstrate strengths in [the skills that Mindprint calls] abstract reasoning, spatial perception and flexible thinking. Read the article
In this Scientific American blog from creativity professor Scott Barry Kaufman, the author contrasts the effort and type of practice required for expertise versus the knowledge and mindset for those who are considered to be creative geniuses. He explains why, after one reaches a certain level of expertise, the development of further expertise and creativity might be in direct conflict. Read the article
This interesting blog from Mind/Shift starts with the inspiring story of the researcher who was dismissed as a learner from an early age. He's now a professor studying imagination. His research shows why the brain's "imagination system" operate only when executive functions are silent, suggesting that creativity and focused attention might be in conflict. Read the article
This lengthy Harvard Education article discusses the ongoing importance, and challenges, of educating students in the skills that aren't measured on standardized tests: empathy, motivation, self-regulation, executive functions, and social skills. Challenges include the lack of universal definitions, relative inadequacies of measurement instruments, and lack of an immediate and direct correlation to achievement. Yet educators know that these are the same skills that often are the most important determinants of life success. The article highlights schools that are making some progress in developing these skills. Read the article
This MindShift post discusses the critical importance of developing questioning skills in the 21st century and laments the reasons that schools do not teacher or foster this habit of mind. Read the article
Our most well read Educated Mom blog discusses how parents might need to take a new approach to discipline when there is a pattern of misbehaving, as the child might simply not have the skills to know how to change on his own. Read the article
In this article, the author explains why it is so critical for adults to adapt their approach to teaching and supporting students in a world where students graduating from high school are expected to learn only"2% of what they will need to know" in the world. He explains why adults must foremost develop students' capacity to engage strategically in their learning without waiting to be directed. Read the article
This Mindshift post details the data-backed decline of creativity both as a population and by individuals. It infers that the existing school culture is the cause of the decline and proposes how schools can reverse the trend. Read the article
This edutopia article provides advice from an experienced college counselor identifying key skills that lead to career success. Adults can easily begin to cultivate these skills as early as kindergarten. Read the article
This opinion column in the Washington Post addresses concerns about emphasizing the importance of science and math at the expense of a liberal arts education. The author explores the backgrounds of some of our country's greatest tech entrepreneurs, all who studied liberal arts. Read the article
Accepting change can be difficult for adults, let alone children. However, some children struggle more than others with new situations. If your child sometimes "gets stuck" this advice from Mindprint's experts could be useful in helping them adapt more easily. Read the article
We love this article on boosting creativity from a University of Pennsylvania researcher. This brief read explains why novel experiences and approaches can help anyone be more creative. Read the article
This post asks us to explore the concept of intelligence more broadly, especially given the importance that intelligence has on life outcomes. The author emphasizes the importance of creative problem solving, or flexible thinking, and the ability to teach this skill in the classroom. Note that Mindprint does assess flexible thinking, but that the research is inconclusive on to what extent this skill, like all cognitive skills, can be taught. Read the article
This blog is part of a series of posts on Mindprint's The Educated Mom that help explain particular cognitive traits and how they relate to children’s experiences in school and home. This post focuses on flexible thinking, an executive function that is the ability to shift thinking in response to a new or unexpected situation. Read the article
This article on flexible thinking is on a website for learning differences, but almost all children struggle with flexible thinking in some capacity. The author provides good generalized strategies to develop your child's flexible thinking, or the ability to try different approaches, and can be of value in all subjects. Read the article
This blog in The Atlantic not only indicates that playing games strengthens executive function, but it also includes the recommendations for games from a psychologist who uses them with patients to better understand their needs. Read the article
This article in EdSurge looks at the relationship between those who study a foreign language and the skills required for coding, a profession, that is predicted to be in ever growing demand. The thinking is that not only will foreign languages prepare students for a global marketplace, but that learning a second language also prepares students to more easily learn programming languages. Read the article
This article looks at cognitive flexibility and its two parts: flexible thinking and set shifting. Parents may find this article useful in better understanding how cognitive flexibility plays an important role in reading, writing, learning a foreign language, learning math, studying, as well as the ability to function well in real-life scenarios. Read the article
This NY Times article highlights new research indicating the importance of spatial reasoning skills in predicting future achievement in math and science related careers. Read the article
This post explains how we may undervalue spatial reasoning skills, yet they can be extremely important for ultimate success in math and science fields. Read the article
This 14 point list from Teach Thought is prefaced by explaining that although every child learns differently, most have the same basic needs to be successful. Read the article
This piece written by an evolutionary psychologist makes a strong case for reducing children's structured activities and providing more opportunities for free play. He believes the limits on free play can explain the rise in mental disorders and the decrease in coveted 21st century skills such as creativity and flexible thinking. Read the article
This New York Times Magazine article highlights the value of mindfulness in improving attention and working memory. However, the article also points to new research indicating there could be "too much of a good thing" when mindfulness interferes with the mind's meandering and creative new ideas. Read the article
This article provides excellent "food for thought" about how education needs to evolve in the digital age and provides suggestions for educators to begin to make that leap. Read the article
This is an interview with a highly sensitive person (HSP), about the advantages and disadvantages of having high sensory perception. Parents of highly sensitive children may find it helpful in better understanding how their children may use their sensitivily in life and work. Read the article
This article provides a wonderful visualization of how the most creative and innovative thinkers may simply be better and "connecting the dots" between known information. The article provides a few simple techniques to enable people to improve this skill. Read the article
This article from Education Week discusses the movement to increase foreign language studies in English-speaking countries, in an effort to keep pace with the multilingualism of the 21st century workplace. Read the article
This blog from Edutopia provides two strategies to engage students who are not typically inclined toward science and math: creativity and metaphors. Read the article
This article from Education Week provides rationale for teaching coding skills to young children, including kindergarteners. Read the article
This MindShift article talks about the qualities that make people creative problem solvers and gives specific methods for preserving and fostering those traits in young people. Read the article
This blog from Mind/Shift advocates the importance of programming and computer science classes, discussing reasons the work prepares students for challenges beyond careers in computer programming. Read the article
This story in The Washington Post features a blog by Lisa Phillips, author of the book, "The Artistic Edge: 7 Skills Children Need to Succeed in an Increasingly Right Brain World," and discusses the broader benefits of arts in education. Read the article
Although art is valuable in its own right, this article from The Washington Post highlights the cognitive and social benefits of studying art, as written about by Lisa Phillips. Read the article
This is an interesting read about "maker" students who build and create of their own inventions. The most successful students were those whose parents had limited subject knowledge but were encouraging, allowing the child to be the leader. Read the article
This blog from Education Week highlights the importance of developing "soft skills" for success in the business world. It also includes "five fundamental mismatches" between what is taught in schools and what is needed, as suggested by Tony Wagner. Read the article
"Where will iPad art take us? And what will we leave behind?" That's what this interesting post on the MindShift blog asks as it looks at how teachers selectively use technology in their art and music classrooms. Read the article
Looking at Nobel-Prize winning scientists as examples, this article advocates for "arts-infused science education," which brings the creative and visualization strengths of the arts to those who study science. Read the article
This blog looks at the conclusions of Yong Zhao, an author and professor of education, who found a correlation between high test scores and lower confidence. Zhao suggests that America's de-centralized approach to education could be the source of the nation's entrepreneurial spirit. Read the article
This post looks at a unique connection between a group of 6th graders and 12th graders on opposite sides of the country. The older students have edited the younger students' writing, a peer relationship that has reportedly had benefits for both groups. Read the article
This article by Tony Wagner, who is considered a leading advocate for 21st Century Skills, provides a solid introduction to his views on how to educate students to be successful innovators in the work place. Read the article
By 2020, there will be 1 million unfilled computer programming jobs, according to this article, which looks at a new series of short films designed to get kids excited about the potential career choice. A link to the film is included.What Do You Think? Read the article
This short post questions the value of multiple-choice questions in a world that demands 21st-century skills and problem-solving. Read the article
While some parents may argue against class participation contributing to a student's grade, this article is a teacher's explanation of why it needs to count. Read the article
This article from Education Week links music training with cognitive skills. The music training is said to, "...increase the neural connections in regions of the brain associated with creativity, decision making, and complex memory, and they may improve a student’s ability to process conflicting information from many senses at once." Read the article
In this blog post, a mother explains how she used some of the principles of Paul Tough's book, How Children Succeed, to help her son learn to handle situations in which he felt bullied or picked on. Read the article
This article from Education Week offers an interesting assessment of the problems with today's foreign language curricula. The author proposes shifting focus to cultural knowledge and verbal communication because of the new global reality. Read the article
This article provides good advice for parents who have a child reluctant to try new things. Most of the tactics are relevant for the elementary school ages, but could be of use with older children. Read the article
A teacher explains why some students can be "overlooked." She offers specific strategies to give all students the time and support they need to learn to speak comfortably in class. Read the article
Understand the role of executive functions in sports, and how to help kids succeed on the field. Read the article
Learn how to be a better listener and why it is so important. While this article is targeted at business executives the lessons apply to everyone. Read the article
This article from Digital Promise explains why learning through multiple senses benefits all learners and guides instructors on how to offer multimodal learning without overloading the senses. Read the article
This article from Understood.org explains the oftentimes difficult to understand issue of information processing in very clear terms. Read the article
No child always listens. However, if you suspect your child has a true listening problem you will want to investigate given the importance of listening for academic performance. Our experts explain what to consider. Read the article
This is a must-read article for all parents of adolescents because it provides a guide on how to parent through a challenging phase. Parents of children with ADHD or other executive function issues will find this article to be of special value, given what we now understand about the brain during this period of growth. Read the article
This article looks at a study that used optogenetics to, “reveal exactly how the motor cortex, which controls movement, can tweak the volume control in the auditory cortex, which interprets sound.” Parents might be interested in this facet of listening as it pertains to their children’s ability to absorb material. Read the article
This is a useful post on information processing disorders, typically categorized as either visual or auditory in nature. The article notes that information processing disorders may not in and of themselves be categorized as learning disabilities but are often at the root of learning difficulties. Read the article
This article from Inc. magazine is directed at grown-ups but can be useful to students, especially middle to high school students who may find it difficult to listen and absorb new information. Read the article
Considering children spend less than 15% of their time in school, this article says, it's no wonder parental involvement and interaction is key to long-term academic success. This story highlights the research into how speaking with our children (two-way conversations, topics discussed) contributes to their development in significant and surprising ways. Read the article
This article explains how significant struggles in learning a foreign language may be symptomatic of an otherwise undiagnosed learning difference in Reading, Writing or Listening. The article also highlights techniques to help cope with some of the issues that arise. Read the article
This article from NPR summarizes a longer research study published in Child Psychology about behavior. The study found the ability of young people to argue confidently and calmly had larger benefits. Effective arguing acted as something of an inoculation against negative peer pressure. Kids who felt confident to express themselves to their parents also felt confident being honest with their friends. Read the article
This brief Scholastic article provides some age and personality-related perspective on childhood impulsivity. It include age-appropriate suggestions for parents to help their children manage this important life skill. Read the article
This article in the Boston Globe explores whether schools' investments in helping bolster executive functions is paying dividends in increased math and reading scores. The short answer is there is no supporting evidence yet that it does. But the research is still new and the measurement tools of executive functions are not robust. Read the article
This blog from Understood.org explains what is meant by executive functions and how weaknesses can prove troublesome for adolescents. The good news is that even those students with weaker executive functions can and often do catch up to their peers, but it is important to help a child in the interim. Read the article
Children are not born with good organizational skills. However, if your child is showing signs of poor organization by the start of middle school parents will want to take action. Our experts explain why. Read the article
This blog from non-profit Edge Foundation provides insight into the specific challenges for girls with ADHD. In this interview, a child psychologist explains the different symptoms and experiences among girls given the lower diagnosis rates and less obvious symptoms. Read the article
This is a must-read article for all parents of adolescents because it provides a guide on how to parent through a challenging phase. Parents of children with ADHD or other executive function issues will find this article to be of special value, given what we now understand about the brain during this period of growth. Read the article
Setting the intention to manage one's time is a first step for anyone hoping to work effectively. This article is intended for teens with learning differences but is useful for anyone. Read the article
This is an important article for all families, although it was written to specifically address the problems students with learning disabilities experience in college. Many of the strategies might be best implemented before any child heads off to college, including the ability to advocate for oneself. Read the article
This article from the National Center or Learning Disabilities explains how parents may assume a child is lazy or unmotivated when the real problem could be executive dysfunction. Read the article
NPR explains the importance of teaching kids self-regulation or "identifying the causes and reducing the intensity of impulses and, when necessary, having the energy to resist." In other words, adults need to accept that every child will experience the world differently. It is the adults' job to give students the coping skills they need to keep calm and focus on what is important. Read the article
Edutopia provides seven useful strategies for teachers to model and develop critical self-reflection skills. Read the article
A child psychologist explains why self-awareness is so important for meaningful relationships and life experiences. Written for parents, she provides 10 practical ways parents can support development of self-awareness. Read the article
Edutopia explains why it is just as important for teachers to have growth mindset as students. It provides a structure for teachers to incorporate growth mindset into their own experiences and practices. Read the article
This EdCircuit commentary, written by Mindprint Founder Nancy Weinstein, explains how cognitive data can effectively power personalized learning in ways that cannot be done without accurate, objective data. Read the article
Mind/Shift identifies eight criteria that lead to truly authentic student engagement (not just compliance). It places an emphasis on emotions, social skills and critical thinking. Read the article
Why it is important to know how a child learns best if you want to help a student develop a growth mindset. Read the article
Edutopia explains why social-emotional learning is such an important part of the learning process. It provides examples of how teachers can develop emotional skills even if their school does not have a formal curriculum or training. Read the article
Learn about the benefits of testing, when administered in the right spirit. They can increase self-awareness, improve retention, deepen learning, and improve students' ability to handle performance pressure. Read the article
Metacognition, or thinking about one's thinking, is the most effective learning strategy. Learn how it can be supported and developed in all students. Read the article
Mind/Shift explores the importance of developing self-control, or delayed gratification, for long-term life success. It provides strategies to develop these skills and even explores the history of Walter Mischel's Marshmallow Test. Read the article
In this blog, Mind/Shift explains why we all have an innate bias toward remembering negative events over positive ones and the explicit actions we can take to improve our outlook. The author explains why this can be an important part of improved academic outcomes, and particularly helpful for those students with weaker executive functions. Read the article
Superb article from Mind/Shift on why metacognition (thinking about your thinking) matters, how it develops by age, and how teachers can support metacognition in the classroom. Read the article
This lengthy Harvard Education article discusses the ongoing importance, and challenges, of educating students in the skills that aren't measured on standardized tests: empathy, motivation, self-regulation, executive functions, and social skills. Challenges include the lack of universal definitions, relative inadequacies of measurement instruments, and lack of an immediate and direct correlation to achievement. Yet educators know that these are the same skills that often are the most important determinants of life success. The article highlights schools that are making some progress in developing these skills. Read the article
This brief Scholastic article provides some age and personality-related perspective on childhood impulsivity. It include age-appropriate suggestions for parents to help their children manage this important life skill. Read the article
In this article, the author explains why it is so critical for adults to adapt their approach to teaching and supporting students in a world where students graduating from high school are expected to learn only"2% of what they will need to know" in the world. He explains why adults must foremost develop students' capacity to engage strategically in their learning without waiting to be directed. Read the article
This MindShift article explains how to optimize teaching new material: sufficiently challenging to make it interesting yet without excessive cognitive load. In a few paragraphs the author, Annie Murphy Paul, provides an understandable, contextual scientific rationale. Read the article
Metacognition, the ability to think about one’s own learning process, is a skill that has proven benefits. This post is written for teachers, but parents and students can use the tips on how to foster metacognition and “drive their own brains” to more effective learning. Read the article
Good self-monitoring skills can be the difference between a good student and a great student. Mindprint's experts explain why self-monitoring matters and how you might help your child improve these skills. Read the article
This simple list is packed with information on how emotions, both positive and negative, can impact learning. People in general, but kids in particular, need to be in the right frame of mind to perform at their best. While the author simplifies the explanations, they all have a basis in solid research. Read the article
There is plenty of research demonstrating the importance metacognition holds for deeper learning. This blog from edutopia is directed at teachers but can hold equal importance to parents. It provides a clear explanation of metacognition followed by very practical examples of how to foster the skill. Read the article
Metacognition, or knowing you think, feel or act, is an essential component of efficient learning. This post from a developmental psychologist does a great job explaining why metacognition matters and practical advice for helping students improve metacognition in the classroom and at home. Read the article
This article on flexible thinking is on a website for learning differences, but almost all children struggle with flexible thinking in some capacity. The author provides good generalized strategies to develop your child's flexible thinking, or the ability to try different approaches, and can be of value in all subjects. Read the article
This post looks at what educators can learn about children and how best to reach them through the study of how individuals seek help. As one expert in the article says, “Help-seeking is actually part of the process of self-regulation.” Much can be learned when the act of seeking help, or not seeking it, is put in the larger context of how the child is able to processes what he or she needs to know. Read the article
This article looks at cognitive flexibility and its two parts: flexible thinking and set shifting. Parents may find this article useful in better understanding how cognitive flexibility plays an important role in reading, writing, learning a foreign language, learning math, studying, as well as the ability to function well in real-life scenarios. Read the article
This is an interesting article about how students seek assistance when they do not understand a lesson or homework. The act of “help-seeking” is both academic and social, and both parents and educators can benefit by understanding some of the underlying issues students confront when seeking help or feeling reluctant to do so. Read the article
This article highlights how students need different approaches to learning for two primary reasons. The first is that "one size does not fit all" and children learn better from different approaches. The second is highlighted by a metaphor: just as we best maintain physical health through a variety of foods and exercises, we need a variety of learning opportunities and subjects to optimize learning. Read the article
This article looks at the arguments of Dr. Daniel Siegel, a psychiatrist at UCLA, makes in his book, Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain. Dr. Siegel uses neuroscience to explain the positive and important aspects of typical teenage brain development when, he says, "Life is on fire." Read the article
This article emphasizes the importance of teaching students self-regulation strategies early in life. Self-regulation includes patience, sharing, and other appropriate social behaviors. Studies show that young children who learn appropriate strategies ultimately perform better in school and in life. Read the article
This brief post provides key information every parent and every student should know about brain development. The article also gives easy-to-implement tips (drink lots of water) that will build self-confidence and self-awareness. Read the article
This article provides excellent "food for thought" about how education needs to evolve in the digital age and provides suggestions for educators to begin to make that leap. Read the article
This post highlights the importance of metacognition, or awareness of how you learn, in students' performance. A useful list of questions students can ask themselves about how they learn may help some cope more effectively with school work. Read the article
This article in The New York Times takes a look at new research in neuroscience and the effort to improve the emotional intelligence of children. Can a higher emotional IQ lead to academic and life-long success? Read the article
This blog post explores the benefits of self-directed learning, a method used in some private schools. This curriculum relies on children's natural curiosity to guide them and uses natural, every day experiences. The article claims that this type of learning environment can work for almost all children, even those who need structure. Read the article
In this Edutopia article, a former neurologist gives a clear explanation of Executive Function in the context of brain development and the skills required by an ever-changing world. Read the article
This article from Education Week looks at a new and slightly confusing trend to watch: Personal Learning Environments, or PLEs. The goal is to give student a place to collect the online and traditional forms of content they receive into one place. Read the article
How do teachers keep students engaged in school? This teacher, co-author of "The Passion Driven Classroom," has some ideas parents may find valuable. Read the article
This scientific article validates a common hypothesis that a "short bout of exercise" increases self-control among children and teens. The benefit may come from the increase in blood to the pre-frontal areas of the brain which are responsible for executive functions. Read the article
This article from Education Week links music training with cognitive skills. The music training is said to, "...increase the neural connections in regions of the brain associated with creativity, decision making, and complex memory, and they may improve a student’s ability to process conflicting information from many senses at once." Read the article
This article from the National Center or Learning Disabilities explains how parents may assume a child is lazy or unmotivated when the real problem could be executive dysfunction. Read the article
Mind/Shift explains why multi-modal reinforcement, or gestures in learning, is so effective, along with specific examples of how teachers use gestures in a variety of classroom settings. Read the article
This lengthy research article goes into details on the different sub-categories of executive functions, how they are measured, and how deficits in these skills can affect learning, behavior and life skills. Table 1 provides research on life challenges when executive function deficits are not addressed. Read the article
This Mindprint blog suggests the best flashcard apps along with the strategies to use them so students memorize quicker. Read the article
A cognitive psychologist provides a clear explanation of the difference between long and short-term memory and why they are both important. Read the article
Mind/Shift highlights the importance of working memory in efficient learning. While not all students need working memory training, one program has shown positive impacts on reading scores. Read the article
This Learning Scientists blog has two key takeaways. It emphasizes the effectiveness of retrieval practice as an effective retention strategy. It also shows that data on students' underlying cognitive skills, in this case working memory, can predict which students will see the most benefit from specific interventions. Read the article
Understand the differences between learning and remembering, and why remembering could be the root cause of test anxiety among many capable students. Read the article
This article from Digital Promise explains why learning through multiple senses benefits all learners and guides instructors on how to offer multimodal learning without overloading the senses. Read the article
This teacher's blog explores the scientifically documented cognitive load theory from a teacher's perspective. The explanation is concise but explains the importance of knowing how much any student can handle to learn efficiently. Read the article
This article from renowned researcher Daniel Willingham explains what students are most likely to remember of what they learn in school. And why. He explains how memory and recall work and why we actually remember more than we might realize. Read the article
This excellent guide from two UK professors explains how students use working memory in learning, why it is important for teachers to support students with weaker working, and provides concrete examples of straight-forward accommodations. If after reading this you have concerns about a student's working memory, the Mindprint assessment effectively analyzes a student's working memory and will give a broader set of support options. Read the article
This MindShift article explains how to optimize teaching new material: sufficiently challenging to make it interesting yet without excessive cognitive load. In a few paragraphs the author, Annie Murphy Paul, provides an understandable, contextual scientific rationale. Read the article
In this Atlantic article, renowned educational research Daniel Willingham explains the differences between working and episodic memory as well as fluid and crystallized intelligence (though he doesn't call them out by name). He uses these explanations to demonstrate the importance of choosing and structuring the delivery of curriculum so that students not only learn what is important but also are more likely to remember it. Read the article
This article in Scientific American explains that testing, when done correctly, can be the most effective way to improve retention. Read the article
This bi-weekly Mindprint newsletter describes the different types of memory that determine how students learn and remember information. It provides links to strategies to help with visual memory, verbal memory and working memory. Read the article
This Q & A on Understood.org does an excellent job explaining the different types of memory and why a child may easily remember some types of information but struggle with others. Read the article
There are more types of memory than you can count on your fingers, and each plays a different role in academic performance. Our experts explain the differences and what parents can do if they suspect a memory weakness. Read the article
This article provides explains research studies that clearly demonstrate that students learn and remember far better if they take notes by hand rather than typing. While the trend is towards electronic note-taking, parents and teachers should encourage handwritten notes for students who do not have a motor or other weakness that would justify electronic note-taking. Read the article
This excellent article explain how students learn and memorize and discusses specific practices that help/hinder solidify learning and improve recall. All the explanations are grounded in scientific research and easy to implement with directed focus. Read the article
This article explores how children with autism, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities use long-term memory to compensate for some of their weaknesses. For those who have strong memory, the article provides insight into how to use this strength in treatment. Read the article
This blog from edutopia explains the critical role of working memory in learning. Working memory is becoming an even more important cognitive skill as schools move away from rote memorization. Read the article
This blog is part of a series of posts on Mindprint's The Educated Mom that help explain particular cognitive traits and how they relate to children’s experiences in school and home. This post focuses on working memory, the ability to keep information in the memory and retrieve it efficiently to problem solve. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog takes a hard look at multitasking, with a special focus on the book Cyber Overload by Dr. Joanne Cantor. Despite our best hopes, the truth is clear: human minds were not designed to multitask. The sooner you incorporate this concept and help your children do the same, the better. Easier said than done, we know. Read the article
This post examines techniques some actors use in memorization. Parents may consider trying some of these techniques with their children, particularly the more "theatrically-minded". Read the article
This article from The Atlantic provides an argument in favor of frequent, formative teacher assessments (not standardized tests). The argument is that testing requires students to draw on analytical reasoning and memory which reinforces long-term memorization. Read the article
This lengthy article from well known professor and researcher Daniel Willingham delves into the details of how students memorize information for school. He offers research-based explanations for why some methods work and others do not, and specific strategies students may want to try. Read the article
While parents should allow children to choose and develop the study habits that are most effective, current research shows that most students will process and remember information much better if they take handwritten notes rather than type them. Read the article
This blog provides interesting research showing why it's important to keep practicing and learning even after you know material. The extra practice will make the work "a part of you," freeing your mind to do other activities. Read the article
This blog post by a neurologist and educator is designed for teachers but may be useful for parents who would like to know more about the development of intelligence and memory in growing children. Read the article
Instead of looking at "learning styles" this post looks at what is described as a more scientifically proven distinction among learners: working memory. Strategies to reduce distractions and intrusive thoughts on the memory, can free it for cognitive processes and the acquisition of new material. Read the article
This is a good critical review of the research on brain training from Scientific American. The author says that the broad claims of success from such training are probably exaggerated, but there is evidence that brain training could help some people improve working memory, an important cognitive skill. Read the article
This article from Education Week links music training with cognitive skills. The music training is said to, "...increase the neural connections in regions of the brain associated with creativity, decision making, and complex memory, and they may improve a student’s ability to process conflicting information from many senses at once." Read the article
This article focuses on the prevalence of exceptional working memory among prodigies. Working memory, the part of memory that enables you to remember and apply information, may be one of the areas of ability most improved with practice. Read the article
Huffington Post provides great advice if you have a child who struggles with transitions, adjustments or separation anxiety. Read the article
US News provides data on the increasing prevalence of anxiety and depression in college students. It offers cautionary advice for parents and their teens to assure they receive the services they need when the go to college. Read the article
This blog provides guidance for parents to ensure the school year gets off to a good start. Learn when and how to check-in with your kids to keep them on track in September and beyond. Read the article
Guidance for parents to support teens during a transition that can be challenging for parents and kids alike. Read the article
Our most well read Educated Mom blog discusses how parents might need to take a new approach to discipline when there is a pattern of misbehaving, as the child might simply not have the skills to know how to change on his own. Read the article
There is no best way to explain tragedy to children. A parent's approach needs to depend on the child's temperament, the nature of the event, and the child's age. This blog from Common Sense Media provides some simple advice by age group. Read the article
Knowing how to help a highly sensitive child through life's ups and downs can be extremely challenging. This article provides helpful strategies parents might want to adopt. Read the article
This Mindprint newsletter explains why students with weaker flexible thinking may struggle with the lack of routine over vacation. It provides a strategies to bolster children's flexibility and adaptability. Read the article
Accepting change can be difficult for adults, let alone children. However, some children struggle more than others with new situations. If your child sometimes "gets stuck" this advice from Mindprint's experts could be useful in helping them adapt more easily. Read the article
This blog on KIPP schools' website identifies ten colleges that provide special programs to help ease the transition for low income students to college. Many colleges have similar programs for students with specific needs, and students may want to seriously factor such a program into their college selection process. Read the article
This brief article from Harvard's Graduate School of Education explains the key elements of environment and disposition which enables some children to succeed despite trauma or failure while others struggle. Fortunately, the prescriptions work and can be used to support all children. Read the article
This Educated Mom post provides excellent advice for parents and students who are about to enter middle school. Among the tips provided by an experienced teacher and mother is the focus on sending students off to this transitional experience with a firm understanding of their own family’s values. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog looks at the transition to high school, and provides valuable insight into the transition, one of the rockiest academically for many. The post shares some 9th grade memories of the Mindprint team, as well. Read the article
This post offers advice for teachers on how to help students manage those difficult transitions to middle and high school. Although written for teachers, many of the suggestions may be helpful during the summer months. Read the article
This article provides good advice for parents who have a child reluctant to try new things. Most of the tactics are relevant for the elementary school ages, but could be of use with older children. Read the article
The stress of living in poverty can have long-term impact on children’s brain development, most particularly executive functions, without intervention. Please contact Mindprint if you'd like to learn more about how we can help you identify which students are struggling the most and how best to support them. Read the article
This NYT Magazine article uses personal stories to do a deep dive into the increasing rates of severe anxiety among teens in middle class and affluent households. Read the article
Child Mind Institute explains why anxiety is often misunderstood as ADHD, bad behavior, or OCD. Anxiety often needs to be treated first, even if there is another concurrent condition. Read the article
Edutopia explains how trauma can interfere with learning. In this context, the author broadly defines trauma as not only abuse or neglect but also tired, hungry, worried, rejected, or extended feelings of isolation, worry, angst, and fear. She explains the science and provides three strategies to support students. Read the article
The edvocate explains the neurological causes of why some students experience a "brain freeze" during an exam. It provides strategies on how to prevent them, including a few stress relieving techniques and the importance of preparation. Read the article
Read this interesting research on 6th graders from affluent families. It shows that parents who emphasize achievement over kindness have children with higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower self-esteem. Importantly, these children did not have higher achievement than peers whose parents emphasized kindness. Read the article
Understand the physical mechanisms of how anxiety interferes with the mind's attention system and affects objectivity and awareness. It is important for students with struggling with anxiety to understand how their perspective might be altered and why they might need to lean on others for judgment. Read the article
The NY Times explores a new intervention to combat the growing social stress levels among high school and college students: helping them understand that people can change. It sounds simple, and it is. The initial research is promising albeit limited. Read the article
Huffington Post provides great advice if you have a child who struggles with transitions, adjustments or separation anxiety. Read the article
Suicide is a troubling topic at any age, but perhaps the most difficult to accept when it affects teens. NPR explains what researchers know about the causes so hopefully more teen teen suicides can be prevented. Read the article
US News provides data on the increasing prevalence of anxiety and depression in college students. It offers cautionary advice for parents and their teens to assure they receive the services they need when the go to college. Read the article
Understand the differences between learning and remembering, and why remembering could be the root cause of test anxiety among many capable students. Read the article
The WSJ explains the neurological changes in the brain during adolescence and, as such, the changing social and emotional behaviors parents should expect in their tweens and teens. Read the article
The Week wrote this for adults but its lessons will easily apply to students who are struggling with anxiety or loss. The article explains how writing about your feelings for as little as 20 minutes a day for four consecutive days can have a meaningful beneficial impact on emotional well-being. Read the article
This article explores the potential danger of being an authentic perfection, including the real potential for self-harm. The article warns that perfectionism can be passed on to children and gives specific advice to help parents avoid instilling perfectionism tendencies in their children. Read the article
In this MindShift interview with author Denise Pope, the writer discusses the stress students at elite schools feel and the detrimental impact on learning and behavior. Read the article
This article encourages adults to help students accept and embrace stress rather than avoid it and explains why this is so much more beneficial. Read the article
If you have a child with recurring anxiety that is interfering with everyday activities, it might be time to seek some outside help from a trained therapist. However, these nine strategies are well worth trying as you look for ways to support your child. Read the article
This edutopia article acknowledges the well-established downsides of too much stress for children. However, it focuses on the physical and emotional positive aspects of stress and explains how adults might help students embrace the benefits of moderate stress. A valuable read for all parents and educators at a time of increasingly high levels of stress and other emotional and social disorders among adolescents. Read the article
This Atlantic article explores the increasing amounts of stress reported among students at elite private high schools. The article confirms parents' suspicions that high school is indeed more stressful than when they were kids. And though it does not provide solutions, it emphasizes the importance of helping kids manage stress to avoid the negative long-term impacts of chronic stress. Read the article
Everyone experiences anxiety at times, but when anxiety begins to interfere with normal routines parents may need to intervene. In this brief post, Mindprint's experts discuss the causes of anxiety and possible interventions. Read the article
The title of this blog from the Child Mind Institute is self-explanatory. The key takeaway is that if you want to act quickly if you suspect a child is suffering from an anxiety disorder. Read the article
This is an excellent explanation of "hidden anxiety" in the classroom from the Child Mind Institute. Teachers may need to look beyond some disruptive behavior, poor performance, or frequent visits to the nurse's office to detect a child suffering from anxiety. Read the article
A parent recognizing a child needs help for anxiety or depression will be insufficient if the child resists treatment. This blog from Child Mind Institute identifies some of the reasons teens might refuse to see someone and several approaches parents can take to make sure the child gets the help he or she needs. Read the article
Unfortunately, suicide in teens is a very real topic. This article from the Child Mind Institute has essential information for any adult who suspects they know a child suffering from severe depression. Read the article
This article dives into the explanations why chronic stress can have significant, long-term negative effects on learning. While stress in today's high-pressured environments may be unavoidable, this article from Great Schools makes parents aware of the potential damage and suggests ways to mitigate impacts in growing adolescents. Read the article
This helpful article includes interviews with three child psychologists about their observations on anxiety in children with learning disabilities. The psychologists provide insight into how children perceive their "differences" and common age-dependent responses that parents should look out for. Read the article
This booklet is designed for parents and students to understand test anxiety and develop coping strategies. The booklet is written for students, but we recommend parents read through it first and decide if they want to selectively share the strategies they believe will work best for their child. Read the article
This is an out outstanding overview of techniques to employ when things get scary for children, from unsettling natural disasters to horrific events in the news. The detailed post has three major categories for parents: model good coping skills, reassure, and support. Read the article
The Child Mind Institute explains how Cognitive Behavior Therapy can help children cope with the issue of anxiety. As a form of treatment that does not rely on medication, it is considered an effective approach in many cases. Read the article
After the disappearnace of Mylassian flight 370, The Educated Mom wrote an Op-Ed for The Washington Post about “hiding the news” from kids. This post looks at how to handle troubling news children may hear about while at school, and how schools might communicate with families about what has been discussed during the school day when such tragedies occur. Read the article
This is a Q&A with a woman who brought The Race to Nowhere to her community. Those who are familiar with the themes of the film, or who are concerned about the state of student burnout, may find this of particular interest. Read the article
This article comes from a child psychologist who suffered from childhood depression. She provides seven ideas that parents should share and discuss with a child they believe is suffering to help them understand and help mitigate their feelings of depression. Read the article
This blog in The New York Times gives one mother's perspective on when to discuss tragedies with children, which she believes should be an ongoing process. Read the article
This article presents evidence of the causal relationship between a lack of sleep among teens and the likelihood of depression. Read the article
This NPR story discusses the role parents play in managing a child's anxiety. It makes a case for cognitive behavior therapy for students with more severe anxiety. Read the article
This author provides some background on the increasing levels of stress and anxiety among teens and adolescents. He provides four succinct ways to help children put stressors in perspective. Read the article
This blog provides a thorough explanation of how teaching "mindfulness" can help a variety of adolescent concerns and potentially improve academic performance. Read the article
This blog from PsychCentral provides concrete advice for parents as they help children cope with stress and become more resilient. Read the article
This article describes initiatives to bring programs in mindfulness, or meditation, to schools to benefit the school community and students. Parents with children who experience anxiety, attention or behavioral issues may find the work and research described useful. Read the article
This blog post helps parents identify the signs of depression in teens, which may help distinguish it from what is seen as "laziness", or lack of motivation. Read the article
This brief post from Education Week looks at a study published in the journal Behavior and Brain Functions, which showed a higher level of math anxiety in girls. Read the article
This article from PsychCentral provides links for parents who wonder if their child may have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Read the article
This is a helpful read for parents who want to help a child they believe suffers from excessive test anxiety. This short post is adapted from the author's article in Time Magazine. Read the article
This blog post on Edutopia was inspired by the Newtown shootings but has relevance to every parent and teacher in contact with a child suffering an emotional loss. The article brings to light the important role teachers can play in helping a grieving student. Read the article
This blog looks at a recent interview with the co-authors of Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing. It's a must read for parents interested in how to instill a healthy sense of risk-taking in their children. Read the article
This article looks at eight common "thought holes" and uses some tactics of cognitive therapy to give adults straightforward tools that may help children view situations with more rational awareness. Read the article
Math anxiety is common, can start in the early years and has a negative impact on those who suffer from it. This article is a useful reminder for parents and teachers that they can help students overcome the self-sabatoge and gain confidence in their skills and abilities to cope. Read the article
This short article on pressure and stress looks at the philosophy and writings of well-respected psychologist Ellen Braaten. One key takeaway she says is that, "...every child should have one hour of unstructured free time for every hour of structured extracurricular activities." Read the article
It would be difficult not to love this post on how humor can engage children and deepen their learning.The next time you or your child are getting frustrated, re-read this article for some healthy perspective. Read the article
This article from Education Week encourages parents to appreciate that growing up "takes time" and to not to rush children or over-emphasize academics at the expense of rites-of-passage. Read the article
This article provides the scientific explanation of how emotions such as depression, anxiety and self-control affect the brain and, as a consequence, learning and academic performance. Read the article
This post is written by a woman who had insomnia as a child--later diagnosed as a symptom of Bipolar II. She describes the extremes of fatigue and mania, and how they affected her daily routine until treated. Read the article
This NY Times blog highlights the key points in a longer magazine piece, providing sound advice to help children cope with test anxiety. Read the article
These ten steps to help children deal with anxiety are excerpted from the blogger's book, Make Your Worrier a Warrior: A Guide to Conquering Your Child's Fears. Read the article
This article provides a very brief overview of cognitive behavioral therapy, a strategy to counter the type of thinking that produces anxiety or depression. For the child who expects bad things to happen, magnifies small negative events, ignores positive ones or views situations in black and white, this type of intervention can be effective, but it requires effort from both the parents and the child. Read the article
This article provides more data proving the value of play in developing important social, emotional and thinking skills. The author quotes one expert as saying: The opposite of play is not work. It’s depression. Read the article
This article from Psych Central explains the importance of understanding the root cause of a child's boredom. The author looks at a study that identifies five types of boredom and explains why some require more prompt attention than others. Read the article
A recent study suggests that some people with anxiety may perform better if they are told to "get excited" rather than to "calm down". While this research is relatively new, parents and teachers may want to try this approach with some students. Read the article
Child psychiatrist Dr. Laura Kastner explains the importance of re-defining male stereotypes to support the emotional well-being of boys. This article links to excellent resources on the subject of boys and emotions. Read the article
This excellent Washington Post article by Phyllis Fagell helps parents understand what they need to do when they notice a change in their child's academic or school behavior. The author does an excellent job providing solutions for the most common situations parents might face. Read the article
The Learning Scientists blog explains why people develop "Facebook envy" which can lead to depression. This is a real phenomenon and an important aspect of social media that parents will want to monitor. Read the article
Child Mind Institute explains why anxiety is often misunderstood as ADHD, bad behavior, or OCD. Anxiety often needs to be treated first, even if there is another concurrent condition. Read the article
Realistically, if a teacher calls for an unscheduled meeting about your child the likelihood is that there is a concern about your child's behavior or grades. This helpful blog explains why the best thing you can do for your child is to maintain a positive attitude throughout the meeting and how to keep your positive mindset. Read the article
The Washington Post explores how women might respond differently from men in the workplace and encourages six behaviors that might help young girls develop into stronger, more self-confident women. Read the article
Mind/Shift provides constructive advice for parents to support bullied children without "over-stepping" boundaries. Read the article
Edutopia makes a case for social-emotional education in schools. It provides five reasons against it and the counter-argument in favor. Read the article
The NY Times explores a new intervention to combat the growing social stress levels among high school and college students: helping them understand that people can change. It sounds simple, and it is. The initial research is promising albeit limited. Read the article
Learn about the "mean girl" social dynamics, and why most girls get caught up in this behavior. It offers potential ways to minimize mean girl behavior. Read the article
The WSJ explains the neurological changes in the brain during adolescence and, as such, the changing social and emotional behaviors parents should expect in their tweens and teens. Read the article
Child Mind Institute explains the social reasons why girls apologize more than boys and the impact it can have on others' perceptions of them, and, over time, their own self-esteem. The article provides some potential remedies as well. Read the article
Mind/Shift explores the importance of developing self-control, or delayed gratification, for long-term life success. It provides strategies to develop these skills and even explores the history of Walter Mischel's Marshmallow Test. Read the article
This is an important read from edutopia about the importance of discussing equity issues as young as elementary school. Children absorb these issues in their environment as young as age 3. The article provides specific approaches for adults to address these sensitive topics with young children. Read the article
This letter from a mom, who also happens to be a licensed social worker and former principal, offers perspective on how to develop our children's understanding of race, social equity and empathy. Read the article
This interview with author Susan Cain who has become the voice for dispelling myths about introverts and how to support introverted students in learning environments. If you are a teacher or have an introverted child, you will find her insight quite helpful. Read the article
Our most well read Educated Mom blog discusses how parents might need to take a new approach to discipline when there is a pattern of misbehaving, as the child might simply not have the skills to know how to change on his own. Read the article
This succinct blog by one child psychologist summarizes the work of another, emphasizing the 8 key qualities at the core of our inner compass and the 7 practices of nurturing adults that enable adolescents to flourish. Read the article
In this article, a child psychologist acknowledges that avoiding childhood exposure to media violence is impractical. However, she provides suggestions to mitigate the effects and recognize the impacts. Read the article
This article from the Huffing Post is a helpful read for parents to understand how their teenagers may be responding to social media. Discussing this article may be one way to work with children to have a healthier perspective about what they read online. Read the article
We love this article from Great Schools which describes how bullies get and use their power. It explains the important role of bystanders and why adults need make sure that they do not allow their child to inadvertently enable the bullying. Read the article
No parent wants to believe their child is poorly behaved. However, sometimes a child can have a real struggle that is manifesting in bad behavior. Mindprint experts discuss behavior problems that could be rooted in other issues. Read the article
This is an excellent explanation of "hidden anxiety" in the classroom from the Child Mind Institute. Teachers may need to look beyond some disruptive behavior, poor performance, or frequent visits to the nurse's office to detect a child suffering from anxiety. Read the article
This lengthy article provides an in-depth explanation of the teenage brain. While neuroscience should make us optimistic that children can experience significant growth throughout adolescence, the warning is the possibility that teens who engage in risky behaviors, are subjected to stress, or who simply fail to continue to read and learn, can experience irreversible cognitive decline relative to peers. Read the article
This article (and site) can be a good resource for parents who want to help their daughters navigate friendships through the adolescent years. The author provides advice on how to help children cope with the loss of friendships. Read the article
This brief post written by a child therapist provides specific strategies to help a child deal with anger. Many of the strategies help teach the child how to better manage his or her feelings, but some involve shifts in how parents can shift their responses and behaviors. Read the article
No parent wants to raise a narcissist, but this story in The LA Times looks at a study that showed that parents who "overvalued" their children were cultivating narcissistic behavior. The researchers are quick to point out that parents should still encourage high self-esteem. Read the article
The social impacts of an attention disorder can often be overlooked with all the emphasis placed on helping a child face the academic challenges. Children with attention weaknesses could be disliked for reasons they don't fully understand. While this post by a child psychologist raises some discouraging statistics, parents who are aware of the challenges can provide the appropriate coaching and support to help children avoid some predictable pitfalls. Read the article
This post in HuffPost Parents looks at a study from the American Sociological Review that suggests that larger schools, with more choice for electives and friends, result in cliques based on the students’ similarities. The study speaks to the misconception that a large school population, by virtue of its size, leads to a diverse peer group of friends. Read the article
The Atlantic cautions adults about the link between increased use of social media and increased prevalence in social anxiety among teens. While social media undoubtedly helps some, the researcher says that “Now young people can’t look you in the eye, they get antsy talking to you in person." The article explores all the negative consequences of social anxiety. Read the article
This is a transcript as well as audio recording of an interview with Alan Kazdin, a professor of child psychology at Yale University and author of several books. He answers questions not only about disciplining children effectively, but also about the mental health system, and how parents can best find help for their children. Read the article
This blog post looks at a new study in American Sociological Review that seeks to explain the factors that contribute to cliques in high schools. Magnet schools, or those focused with “fewer people and less academic choice” create an environment in which students are forced, “…to mingle more with dissimilar peers.” Read the article
Is it an innocent act of parental pride when parents wave to their children during a school assembly or performance? Or when they record or photograph concerts even if doing so blocks the views of those behind them? This Educated Mom post speaks not only to the topics of parental behavior, common courtesies and etiquette, but also to the larger implication these behaviors have on student confidence and performance. Read the article
What do teenaged girls want to wear to school? How are their clothing choices connected to body image and self-esteem? This Educated Mom blog looks at the complicated issues related to the seemingly simple question: what should I wear today? Read the article
This is part II of the Educated Mom coverage of raising teens. We hear from another parent who offers useful advice for those with teenagers. Read the article
This post in the Educated Mom includes advice from parents of teenagers, who offer perspective on how to gently and successfully parent children through the sensitive and important phase of adolescence while maintaining trust and mutual respect. Read the article
Looking for a song to listen to with the kids that’s got a good message, fun to sing along with, and will help them feel confident? This Educated Mom blogs looks at the Song, “Bully, Bully” by Shine and the Moonbeams. Featured on NPR, the lead singer has had a career in musicals as well as in education and will add some pizzazz to your time in the car. Read the article
The Educated Mom post checks in with child psychologist, Wendy Matthews, to get some pointers on how parents can evaluate their children’s readiness to “walk alone” to school or in their neighborhoods. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog looks at the term, pluralistic ignorance, which is a helpful term for parents of teens, in particular. The post cites a study on student drinking done at Princeton University. While peer pressure is doing something because one’s peers are doing it, pluralistic ignorance is doing something because you assume others are doing it (even if they are not). Read the article
This blog post from The Educated Mom looks at the question of “redshirting” young children, a practice of holding them back a year before starting kindergarten. While increasingly popular, the practice is not recommended by neuroscientist Sam Wang, who suggests that children learn best when motivated by peers who are slightly ahead of them and that it is time spent in school that makes children succeed. Read the article
Many parents struggle with finding the right level of child discipline. This post from The Huffington Post provides some advice on how to set appropriate limits with some thoughtful pointers that go beyond the cliche. Read the article
This blog from the Huffington Post provides advice on how to approach a child's defiant behavior. As many parents know, the solution is neither to give in nor to be inflexible, but more nuanced. Read the article
This blog post provides parents with food for thought on why a child might lie and as well as productive approaches to deal with a potentially chronic problem. Read the article
This post offers interesting recommendations from a psychologist who works primarily with gifted adults. He bases his recommendations for raising strong children on his observations of these successful adults. Read the article
This author provides helpful advice to cope with a seemingly stubborn and defiant child. As the author explains, understanding that child's point of view can go a long way to mediating positive solutions whereas an authoritarian style rarely works for children with this temperament. Read the article
Excerpted from All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood, by Jennifer Senior, this article in New York Magazine is designed to help parents understand how to cope with the difficulties of raising a teenager. Read the article
This article from the non-profit Great Schools points out nine factors that indicate your child may be experiencing bullying but is not telling you. Read the article
This blog provides a thorough explanation of how teaching "mindfulness" can help a variety of adolescent concerns and potentially improve academic performance. Read the article
This article describes initiatives to bring programs in mindfulness, or meditation, to schools to benefit the school community and students. Parents with children who experience anxiety, attention or behavioral issues may find the work and research described useful. Read the article
This article provides some creative examples of how mobile technology enables cheating. Perhaps of greater concern is that some students may be cheating without believing they are behaving inappropriately. Read the article
If you're wondering how Harvard students got caught up in a cheating scandal, this is worth a read. First, we find out that the take home final for this government class said students “may not discuss the exam with others.” The exam was also open book, open note, open Internet, etc.” Whatever breakdown ensued between individual work and subsequent accusations of plagiarism and inappropriate collaboration is not only a Harvard issue; it’s one that faces an entire generation of learners. Read the article
This article describes a study showing that the ability to form friendships and relationships in the early teens is predictive of such behaviors in one's early twenties. What Do You Think? Read the article
This article in USA Today summarizes the new American Academy of Pediatrics' policy statement explaining the social and cognitive importance of recess, particularly to elementary school children. Included are statistics on the number of schools eliminating or reducing recess time to meet academic needs. Read the article
Have a child transitioning to middle school? Here's an interview with a middle school counselor who provides useful insight into what happens socially and emotionally with tweens. The article also provides practical advice for parents. Read the article
In this controversial story in The Atlantic, the author purports that teachers and schools may be penalizing boys unfairly for appropriate "boy behaviors". As a teacher, she believes schools should find new methods to harness boys' energy rather than simply trying to discipline it. Read the article
Ban dating until age 16? This article from Great Schools looks at a study of 600 students in Georgia. Those who started dating in middle school "reported twice as much drug, tobacco, and alcohol use and dropped out of school at four times the rate." Read the article
This article from Great Schools asks six parenting experts how they respond when a child says, "I'm bored". Read the article
Parents who want to begin teaching children about money may like this article that provides suggestions for the best age to offer allowance and ways to teach children about delayed gratification. Read the article
This article describes, Operation Beautiful, an interesting approach to build girls' self-esteem through the use of positive messages written on post-it notes. Read the article
This article reports on an extensive sleep study indicating that children with irregular bedtimes are more likely to have behavioral problems at home and at school. Read the article
This article discusses an approach researchers at Harvard are taking to help disruptive students understand the full consequences of their actions. Using role playing within the virtual world of a video game, they were able to increase students' abilities to "walk in another's shoes" and seek out compromise. Read the article
Flexible thinking when it comes to behavior, as with intelligence, can have positive benefits. This article looks at a study that showed that students who believe an individual's behavior can change are less likely to define a person by a single action or view a behavior as hostile. Read the article
This blog post by an experienced female teacher provides some thought-provoking views on whether male students benefit from having a male teacher. Read the article
This scientific article validates a common hypothesis that a "short bout of exercise" increases self-control among children and teens. The benefit may come from the increase in blood to the pre-frontal areas of the brain which are responsible for executive functions. Read the article
This is an in-depth piece on the potential benefits of character education in schools. Educators report an increase in achievement and lessoning of intrusive behavior when the respectful behavior is integrated into the entire school community. Read the article
This interesting article from The Atlantic is written by a middle school teacher whose years enforcing dress codes have given her a thoughtful view of the issue parents may appreciate. Read the article
Why do boys get lower grades than girls but score as high or higher on achievement tests? The author of this online opinion piece in The New York Times says it's because grades are based in part on behavior and non-cognitive skills. Read the article
This article from NPR summarizes a longer research study published in Child Psychology about behavior. The study found the ability of young people to argue confidently and calmly had larger benefits. Effective arguing acted as something of an inoculation against negative peer pressure. Kids who felt confident to express themselves to their parents also felt confident being honest with their friends. Read the article
This article from Education Week encourages parents to appreciate that growing up "takes time" and to not to rush children or over-emphasize academics at the expense of rites-of-passage. Read the article
This article provides the scientific explanation of how emotions such as depression, anxiety and self-control affect the brain and, as a consequence, learning and academic performance. Read the article
In this blog post, a mother explains how she used some of the principles of Paul Tough's book, How Children Succeed, to help her son learn to handle situations in which he felt bullied or picked on. Read the article
This is a wonderful post that delves into the student psyche, particularly the insecure feelings common among young girls. New evidence shows how referencing role models may discourage more than it inspires. Read the article
This article in The Wall Street Journal offers a validated strategy to improve poor behavior using Teacher-Child-Interaction Therapy (TCIT). In essence, this involves: acknowledging good behavior, ignoring the bad behavior (as best you can) and attempting to give three compliments for every criticism. Read the article
This article provides more data proving the value of play in developing important social, emotional and thinking skills. The author quotes one expert as saying: The opposite of play is not work. It’s depression. Read the article
The short answer from this research review of the effects of technology and social media is that no one really knows (yet) and it probably depends on the context. In the meantime, using good judgment and moderation is the best advice. Read the article
The Learning Scientists blog explains why people develop "Facebook envy" which can lead to depression. This is a real phenomenon and an important aspect of social media that parents will want to monitor. Read the article
This Mindprint blog explains why more students might be showing ADHD symptoms as a result of too much technology use. Read the article
For parents struggling on managing screen time this blog offers a very pragmatic approach, suggesting that instead of quantity, parents needs to focus on “context (where, when and how digital media are accessed), content (what is being watched or used), and connections (whether and how relationships are facilitated or impeded).” Read the article
Mind/Shift provides constructive advice for parents to support bullied children without "over-stepping" boundaries. Read the article
This Washington Post blog acknowledges that teens, and their parents, are probably too addicted to technology. It offers concrete suggestions to change behaviors. Read the article
This brief article has practical tips for helping tweens and teens handle what many parents consider inappropriate media content. This pragmatic advice stands the test of time. Read the article
There's no lack of negative commentary on kids and cellphone use. However, this is a rare post on the potential benefits of a cellphone, even for younger children. Read the article
This blog post from a medical doctor encourages parents to impose an "electronics fast" to enable children to decompress from an overload of screen time. While most children may not be experiencing the types of overloaded behavior the author describes, there is clear scientific evidence of the physiological behaviors she details. Read the article
In this article, a child psychologist acknowledges that avoiding childhood exposure to media violence is impractical. However, she provides suggestions to mitigate the effects and recognize the impacts. Read the article
This article from the Huffing Post is a helpful read for parents to understand how their teenagers may be responding to social media. Discussing this article may be one way to work with children to have a healthier perspective about what they read online. Read the article
This blog post explores the potential damaging effects of too much screen time for children of all ages, from obesity to violence to an inability to engage in critical life skills including deep thought and problem solving. Read the article
This article from the Child Mind Institute provides important considerations beyond just age when deciding if a child is mature enough for a cell phone. It includes useful rules that parents can enforce once they decide to take the plunge. Read the article
This great article from eSchoolNews provides wonderful guidance on how to balance the social media phenomenon FMO (fear of missing out) with common sense behaviors of respect and manners. Read the article
This simple Washington Post article provides pragmatic advice from a mom on how she, and her 12 year old daughter, should think about social media use. Read the article
A website, not an article, this guide funded by several non-profits gives parents easy-to-understand, high-level information about student data privacy rights. The guide gives the federal regulations but parents will need to do an independent search to find the specific state statutes. Read the article
Looking for some benchmarks on the amount of screen time your children should have each day? This guide from the Child Mind Institute can help clarify why a critical look at the use of screens is valuable. Read the article
The Atlantic cautions adults about the link between increased use of social media and increased prevalence in social anxiety among teens. While social media undoubtedly helps some, the researcher says that “Now young people can’t look you in the eye, they get antsy talking to you in person." The article explores all the negative consequences of social anxiety. Read the article
This article in the British newspaper, The Guardian, is written by a neuroscientist. He says the multi-tasking afforded by technology is making us less efficient and less intelligent. He describes our predicament as: “We are doing the jobs of 10 different people while still trying to keep up with our lives, our children and parents, our friends, our careers, our hobbies, and our favourite TV shows.” Read the article
This post opens up the conversation about a complicated topic and offers parents several points to consider when evaluating their children’s use of social networking sites. The author is a counselor and mother of five. Read the article
This posts looks at a British poll of children that revealed one in five believe their parents are addicted to screens and don’t properly listen to them. As noted in many articles about the topic, the assumption that parents must monitor their children’s screen time is turned upside down, when looked at through children’s eyes. Read the article
After the disappearnace of Mylassian flight 370, The Educated Mom wrote an Op-Ed for The Washington Post about “hiding the news” from kids. This post looks at how to handle troubling news children may hear about while at school, and how schools might communicate with families about what has been discussed during the school day when such tragedies occur. Read the article
The title says it all, but does anyone have an answer? This Educated Mom blog looks at recommendations from the AAP and includes the perspective of neuroscientist, Sam Wang. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog looks at a disturbing trend in children’s television, one in which producers are veering away from educational programs in favor of what they cite as the more appealing and popular for parents and children—pure entertainment. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog post looks at the trend towards children receiving cell phones at younger and younger ages. Whatever the decision, most agree that once a child has a cell phone, they are attached. Read the article
This guide from the New York City Department of Education provides good instruction for parents and students on how to protect their online identities and avoid making social media mistakes. While the information in some cases is specific to the NYC school system, much of the advice has universal application. Read the article
This post was written for educators, but parents will find the points salient, especially as they determine when and if their children may engage in social media. Read the article
This nonprofit site provides links to 17 helpful videos, clearly identified by topic and target audience, designed to teach children about appropriate internet behavior and safety. Read the article
This Huffington Post blog provides potential negative impacts of handheld devices on children. Despite the sensationalist headline, the article provides recommended screen time from the American Academy of Pediatrics and provides reasonable explanations of how too much screen time can interfere with healthy development. Read the article
If we can't shield our children from all aspects of the Internet, perhaps the best strategy is to give them the ability to be their own intelligent "filters". The strategy may seem risky, but this article provides detailed points to use in educating your child on evaluating webpages, as you trust them with becoming more discerning and responsible online. Read the article
This blog highlights the cognitive value of "unplugging" and taking time to daydream. Research indicates it can help in the consolidation of learning and improve attention. Read the article
This excellent post from PsychCentral gives suggestions to parents on how to discuss online dangers with children and provides resources and tools parents can use to improve online safety. Read the article
This article in The New York Times outlines specific concerns from watchdog groups about schools sharing children's information without parental permission. Some school districts share everything from students' performance to students' bus stop information. Read the article
Daniel Goleman, a prominent author on emotional intelligence, explains how multi-tasking and using digital devices can decrease a young person's ability to focus and empathize. He advocates a daily "digital sabbath". Read the article
This article explains a student's rights surrounding privacy of school data and how these rights are often mistakenly violated, and takes a particular look at the increase in data collected on special education students in conjunction with RIT's (response to intervention.) Read the article
While we don't typically link to company blogs, this one is worth reading. NWEA is able to put a numerical estimate on the amount of learning students lose over the summer months. The number is too big to ignore. Read the article
This excellent Washington Post article by Phyllis Fagell helps parents understand what they need to do when they notice a change in their child's academic or school behavior. The author does an excellent job providing solutions for the most common situations parents might face. Read the article
Interviews with two specialists in college admissions and teen stress are at the core of this blog. It empathizes with parents who push for the Ivies. Then in provides a healthier approach to re-frame the college admissions process. Read the article
Realistically, if a teacher calls for an unscheduled meeting about your child the likelihood is that there is a concern about your child's behavior or grades. This helpful blog explains why the best thing you can do for your child is to maintain a positive attitude throughout the meeting and how to keep your positive mindset. Read the article
An experienced teacher provides understandable, concrete advice for parents on how to support their children to become effective independent adults. This blog (and the corresponding book) might be best for parents struggling to find balance in being "firm but caring." Read the article
Simple, solid advice for all parents to keep in mind to maintain a healthy, happy relationship with their kids. Read the article
The Washington Post's On Parenting explains that while we can't motivate children to succeed, parents can create an environment where kids are more willing to try. Read the article
Use these suggestions from the Mindprint experts on how to make the parent-teacher most productive in the brief, precious time you have. Read the article
This blog provides guidance for parents to ensure the school year gets off to a good start. Learn when and how to check-in with your kids to keep them on track in September and beyond. Read the article
A new study co-authored by Growth Mindset pioneer Carol Dweck shows that parents' views on failure are the driving influence on whether a student has a growth mindset. The article identifies the nuances that parents should consider as they react to their child's failures and the words they choose to offer encouragement. Read the article
Parenting styles in Denmark are believed to contribute to Danish students consistently ranking as the "happiest students in the world." The article attributes their happiness, at least in part, to empathy being taught in schools and significantly reinforced in homes. Read the article
This Mind/Shift article explores the potential downsides of giving parents access to student data, including negative impacts on motivation, helicopter parenting, and privacy. Read the article
While there is no recipe for successful parenting, these characteristics can help guide parenting approaches and priorities. Read the article
Parent attitudes toward learning can be the most defining characteristic of how students perform in school. This edutopia post discusses the optimal ways for parents to be involved in their child's learning, some of which are contrary to popularly held beliefs. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog appeared on the Washington Post. It expresses parents angst about the increasing levels of parent involvement in projects and how to know when to "back off." Read the article
This NYTimes blog explains what parent involvement should and should not be. And advises parents and teachers alike how to get us to the right place. Read the article
This article is an excerpt of a book from a former Dean of Students at Stanford who notes the negative effects of overparenting in her worldclass students and in her own Palo Alto community. The book is intended to give parents the courage to break the destructive cycle. Read the article
This article from The Atlantic cites research showing how a father's involvement can be critical in helping a child's academic performance and behavior. Read the article
This wonderful post from Getting Smart encapsulates the heart of what parents want for their children and what they need to do to get it. Read the article
This article from the Harvard Graduate School of Education provides the prescriptive approach many parents are seeking on how to adapt their parenting techniques during the teenage years. It's concise, helpful and research-based. Read the article
This blog post in Slate from provides parents with a specific tactic to rectify past over-parenting to teach their children self-awareness and independence. In essence, this child psychologist reminds parents that as difficult as it is to watch their children fail, it is necessary to build a self-reliant adult. Read the article
Perhaps the generation of helicopter parents now facing an empty nest might enjoy this post, written with an eye towards detachment parenting. One goal, is to parent without “…showing any disappointment over how our child is turning out. That is, whether they're living up to our expectations for them.” Read the article
This article from the Harvard Graduate School of Education discusses research on parenting teens and evidence on what types of parenting practices are predictive of long term educational achievement. The article provides specific advice on the three effective parenting practices: autonomy support, monitoring, and warmth. Read the article
This blog by renowned educator Alfie Kohn dissects what parental involvement in school means to different constituencies: educators, parents and students. The takeaway is that while conceptually parental involvement is good, the constituencies need to work together to define the optimal role for parents to make parental involvement effective for all. Read the article
Parenting experts generally agree there are four basic parenting styles. The research supports a correlation between parenting style and children's long-term academic and emotional well-being. This article from non-profit GreatSchools defines these styles and gives parents some guidance on how to adjust their parenting style to address difficult situations. Read the article
This fact sheet from the Michigan Department of Education states that the earlier parents get involved in their children’s educations the better. It notes the best kind of involvement is that which engages “parents in working directly with their children on learning activities at home.” Read the article
This is a nice post that gives parents a sound strategy for parent-teacher conferences, suggesting three pillars of focus: the child, the classroom and the future. If you sometimes feel the short sessions with your child’s teacher leave you unsatisfied or uncertain about how to proceed, these grounding anchors can be useful topics of focus for ongoing conversations. Read the article
This Educated Mom post looks at the traditional lemonade stand, a summertime favorite of children long before they were used as lessons in entrepreneurship by type-A parents. How much focus on the bottom line is appropriate for children and how do we protect their independence while wanting every experience to be “constructive”? Read the article
Every parent is a teacher and here are 12 tips providing great advice on how to inspire your children. The list is a highlight of some of the philosophies included in the book American Teacher: Heroes in the Classroom. Read the article
This interview with Dr. Tim Elmore looks at 7 mistakes parents often make in an effort to avoid being like their own parents or to protect their children from failure. The interview looks at ways to curb these tendencies and to guide children in a more grounded process. Read the article
Parents who choose to take a more scientific approach to parenting will appreciate this list of key concepts on the evidence-based ways that parents can help children improve their cognitive and academic skills and associated lifetime outcomes. Read the article
This article, by the autor of The Smartest Kids in the World-and How They Got That Way, gives a worldwide perspective on the types of parental involvement and questions whether American parents are having the wrong type of involvement. Read the article
This guide from the Harvard Family Research Project emphasizes the strong correlation between appropriate parental involvement and student achievement. Of great use for parents are the last two pages of the report, which provide a concrete checklist for parents to use at parent-teacher conference time. Read the article
This brief post on CNN.com provides 5 practical recommendations for parents to effectively prepare for parent-teacher conferences. Read the article
Considering children spend less than 15% of their time in school, this article says, it's no wonder parental involvement and interaction is key to long-term academic success. This story highlights the research into how speaking with our children (two-way conversations, topics discussed) contributes to their development in significant and surprising ways. Read the article
In this article in USA TODAY, a teacher tells parents how best to enhance their children's learning experiences and work cooperatively with the children's teachers. Read the article
This is a short article highlighting the pros and cons of making test and assignment grades immediately available to parents. As one expert is quoted as saying, "...the line between being involved and being controlling is different for each child, since different kids pick up organization and other academic skills at different speeds." Read the article
This detailed article in New York Magazine looks at what happens when parents go to extremes, dismissing ethical standards in an effort to give their children an advantage. The consequences, the author notes, are children who may appear successful, but who lack the high moral standards and self-confidence to ultimately find their own ways. Read the article
Instead of focusing on "better teachers", NY Times columnist Tom Friedman looks at how parental interaction with children brings higher scores on the Program for International Student Assessment, or PISA. Reading to children and asking, "how was your day?" are associated with success. Read the article
This article from PsychCentral cites evidence showing how important parental influence is in the decisions teens make when it comes to academics as well as health, and how parents may gain or lose such influence. Read the article
The government of South Korea may want children to have a bit more unstructured time away from school, but according to this article, parents are responding to this change in the school week by filling that time with tutoring and additional classes. Read the article
This detailed research paper starts with the premise that parental involvement influences the cognitive development of young children. However, as children mature into the teenaged years, the teen's own investment and choices influences cognitive growth more than that parental input. Read the article
Many parents understand the benefits of introducing letters and literacy skills to their young children, but this post looks at a study showing the benefit of speaking about numbers and math with the same committment. Read the article
This article from NPR summarizes a longer research study published in Child Psychology about behavior. The study found the ability of young people to argue confidently and calmly had larger benefits. Effective arguing acted as something of an inoculation against negative peer pressure. Kids who felt confident to express themselves to their parents also felt confident being honest with their friends. Read the article
In this blog post, a mother explains how she used some of the principles of Paul Tough's book, How Children Succeed, to help her son learn to handle situations in which he felt bullied or picked on. Read the article
This New York Times post highlights a common challenge of parenting children with different strengths and needs. The author turns to experts who provide insightful advice for a long-range method of cultivating the passions and confidence of each child. Read the article
This article provides sage and specific advice on the right level of parental involvement with homework. Although parents may find it difficult to respect these guidelines, they may contribute to long term success. Read the article
This article from The Atlantic takes yet another stand on how much parental involvement is the right amount. Whatever your parenting style, providing the context to your children as to why it matters to work hard in high school is beneficial in the long run. Read the article
Learn about five things you can do over the summer months to improve school year habits and success. Read the article
Understand why a good night sleep is so important and the small steps we can take to improve our sleep habits. It was written for teachers, but it is an excellent summary for their students, parents, and everyone else. Read the article
This lengthy report from the National Sleep Foundation provides plenty of data on the positive benefits of a good night's sleep as well as the overwhelming amounts of data indicating that adolescents are not getting sufficient sleep for good mental and physical health. Read the article
This blog post from a medical doctor encourages parents to impose an "electronics fast" to enable children to decompress from an overload of screen time. While most children may not be experiencing the types of overloaded behavior the author describes, there is clear scientific evidence of the physiological behaviors she details. Read the article
According to Scientific American, the answer is yes. And the sweet spot is 20 minutes. Read the article
The need for a good night's sleep is important at any age. This short list from the Huffington Post explains why sleep is particularly important during the teen years. Read the article
There's no lack of research demonstrating the importance of sleep for top performance. This article on how top athletes are now emphasizing sleep may be the perfect read for student athletes to fully understand and embrace the need for a good night sleep. Read the article
This article provides a detailed explanation of the reasons why people with attention disorders also have a higher propensity to be overweight or suffer from an eating disorder. Read the article
This article reviews a recent study that shows “with greater sleep efficiency… children did better in math and languages – but grades in science and art weren’t affected.” The implication is that high quality sleep helps boost executive functions, which are utilized most in math and languages. Efficient sleep relates to the quality of the sleep, not simply the number of hours attained. Read the article
While we all know we should eat dinner as a family, this post by a professor at Harvard Medical School explains the scientific rationale. Not only does it boost vocabulary and lead to better nutrition, but it eating dinner together also lowers the rate of high-risk behaviors among teens. Read the article
This article in the magazine, ADDitude, looks at the causes of poor sleep for children with ADHD, the symptoms of sleep deprivation, and some useful strategies for helping these children create a realistic bedtime and sleep schedule. Read the article
This Educated Mom post looks at the Jolt Sensor, a new device for monitoring acceleration of the head and potential concussion impacts. Developed by an MIT student who sustained a concussion and endured months of cognitive setbacks, the device has a corresponding app for parents and coaches to be used on cell phones. Read the article
This is part II of The Educated Mom coverage of a family’s experience with an unexpected concussion. In this portion, we follow the family to their treatment at the University of Pittsburg Medical Center where the specialists performed tests and recommended a course of treatment that may surprise those who believe rest is the only cure for concussions. Read the article
This in-depth post in The Educated Mom follows one family’s experience with an unexpected playground accident that was eventually diagnosed as a concussion. The third-grade student profiled would eventually miss months of school and be taken to a special program at the University of Pittsburg Medical Center where an aggressive program of therapy and recovery was prescribed. This is part one of a two part series on the blog. Read the article
Talented violinists take a lot of naps and sleep a lot. In fact, that’s the theme behind the Educated Mom blog: sleep improves the quality of one’s work. Parents who are seeking more convincing ways to encourage their children to get more rest, or who are feeling at a loss for a healthier lifestyle themselves, may find the studies reported in this post extremly persuasive. Read the article
In this post, The Educated Mom interviews a nutritionist for some great tips on what to feed the kids for dinner or even before a big exam. Read the article
This post from Parenting Science looks at the scientific studies related to children's sleep. It provides excellent context for parents, and looks at factors beyond the number of hours of sleep, including behavior. Read the article
This article presents evidence of the causal relationship between a lack of sleep among teens and the likelihood of depression. Read the article
Is your teenager getting 9 hours of sleep a night? Most aren't. This article from the New York Times explains why teens need more sleep and provides specific ways to help teens fall asleep faster. Read the article
This insightful post written by a teacher identifies the value of well-designed homework. He mentions how sleep should still be prioritiezed, and cautions that effective study habits are often uninterrupted by social media. Read the article
In this lengthy article, researcher Daniel Willingham provides data about the poor sleep habits of students and the potential long-term consequences. He also provides anecdotes about why changing school start times is unlikely. Read the article
This article from the Wall Street Journal speaks to the positive impact of a healthy sleep routine on academic performance. Note: Log-in to WSJ required. Read the article
This column from the Washington Post provides a summary of the book Nurture Shock. The book's author maintains that parents who heap praise upon their children and protect them from failure will see their efforts backfire by creating kids who are unable to cope in the real world. Read the article
The following is one in a series of articles about controversial therapies from the non-profit National Center for Learning Disabilities. This review of food and nutrition therapies to treat ADHD and other learning differences suggests there is no scientific evidence proving nutritional therapies will remedy those issues. Read the article
This article details a new study out of the University of Pennsylvania showing that an extra hour of sleep a night can help teens with weight loss. The benefits of sleep go beyond weight loss, but this study gives one more reason to be sure that your child receives sufficient rest. Read the article
This article reports on an extensive sleep study indicating that children with irregular bedtimes are more likely to have behavioral problems at home and at school. Read the article
This blog in the New York Times looks at the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for “return to learn” checklists for students following a concussion. While many are familiar with the guidelines for returning to a sport, this looks at the cognitive and academic side of the recovery. Read the article
While getting more sleep is every teen's dream, this article looks at the movement to begin class later in the morning to better suit the biology of adolescents and improve academic achievement. Read the article
This post is written by a woman who had insomnia as a child--later diagnosed as a symptom of Bipolar II. She describes the extremes of fatigue and mania, and how they affected her daily routine until treated. Read the article
This post looks at the scientific explanation for the need for adequate sleep. The final paragraph provides useful tips on how to encourage healthy sleep routines, especially for busy students. Read the article
This article from Harvard Business Review is a blunt explanation of why getting at least seven hours of sleep a night is essential and should not be compromised. While this article focuses on adults, the impact of sleep is known to be of even greater importance for children and adolescents. Read the article
This blog shines light onto the important social skills we should expect that students develop through team sports and how parents and coaches can play a leading role in ensuring that students learn these key message. Read the article
NY Magazine explores goal setting through the eyes of Olympic athletes and explains why small achievable goals might be far more effective than BHAGs (big hairy audacious goals). Read the article
There is a strong positive correlation between time for unorganized play in childhood and creativity in adulthood. While organized sports have their advantages, the author suggests that they be properly balanced with free time. Read the article
Learn about five things you can do over the summer months to improve school year habits and success. Read the article
Understand the role of executive functions in sports, and how to help kids succeed on the field. Read the article
This Atlantic article addresses how foreign language instruction is falling to the wayside in schools, similar to music and arts education. And similar music to arts education, there may be learning and career benefits of dual-language fluency as explained by the language advocates in this article. Read the article
There's no lack of research demonstrating the importance of sleep for top performance. This article on how top athletes are now emphasizing sleep may be the perfect read for student athletes to fully understand and embrace the need for a good night sleep. Read the article
This article in the New Yorker debunks the myth of the advantage of red-shirting children. This popular trend has parents keeping children back so they are the oldest in the class, and presumably will have a leg up on their peers in maturity, academics and sports. While some children may have legitimate reasons for waiting an extra year before starting kindergarten, the takeaway is that red-shirting shouldn't be done for purely competitive reasons. Read the article
This article, written by an attorney, gives parents information about the legal protections provided to children with disabilities and provides examples of how such children can be given opportunities to participate in extracurricular clubs or sports. Read the article
Families spend an increased number of hours and dollars on youth sports, but at what cost? This story in the New York Times looks at the phenomenon in which some parents are spending a whopping 10.5% of incomes on their children’s athletic pursuits. And the associated financial and emotional toll on families. Read the article
This article cites a 2012 State of College Admission Report that says extracurricular activities rank 11th on the lists of items admissions counselors consider important. Instead of spreading our children too thin with a heavy load of activities for the sake of resume building, the article suggests letting children concentrate on a few. Read the article
Do you remember the Seinfeld episode when George realized everything he’d ever done in life was wrong and he needed to do the opposite? This Educated Mom post looks at a new study out of the University of Colorado that says, “…the more time children spent in less structured activities, the better their self-directed executive function. Conversely, the more time children spent in more structured activities the poorer their self-directed executive function.” While parents may not want to toss their children’s after school schedules aside, some moderation may be encouraged. Read the article
By now, you may have heard of programs called STEAM which put the “A” in STEM. That “A” refers to the Arts, and the authors of this journal article helped put it there. Artists, this Educated Mom blog explains, are another creative and vital segment needed in the fields commonly reserved for those who stand out in math and science. Read the article
If you feel your family is too busy with extra-curricular activities, this Educated Mom blog may be of use. It includes information reported in The Daily Mail stating the “tipping point” after which activities are simply too much and no longer contributing positively to the child’s development. Read the article
This Educated Mom posts looks at the experiences of a few grown-ups at Mindprint, and relates their most memorable and meaningful summers. Parents looking to enrich their children’s summers may find these perspectives useful. Read the article
This piece from NPR details a personal account of a 10 year old's back injury and provides accompanying data to help parents decide how much team sports may be too much. Read the article
This piece written by an evolutionary psychologist makes a strong case for reducing children's structured activities and providing more opportunities for free play. He believes the limits on free play can explain the rise in mental disorders and the decrease in coveted 21st century skills such as creativity and flexible thinking. Read the article
This short piece highlights the value of not overscheduling children so they can teach themselves how to best spend idle hours. Read the article
This opinion piece in The New York Times calls on parents to end the "non-stop" recognition of our children with participation trophies and rewards for nearly every effort. Citing research, the author makes a compelling argument to help increase our children's eagerness to seek challenges by allowing them to experience losing. Read the article
This blog post is the "CliffsNotes" version of a lengthy research report on the use of digital technology to inspire artistic creativity. It may help dispel some skepticism about the convergence of art and technology. Read the article
This story in The Washington Post features a blog by Lisa Phillips, author of the book, "The Artistic Edge: 7 Skills Children Need to Succeed in an Increasingly Right Brain World," and discusses the broader benefits of arts in education. Read the article
Although art is valuable in its own right, this article from The Washington Post highlights the cognitive and social benefits of studying art, as written about by Lisa Phillips. Read the article
This is an interesting piece that looks at empirical evidence showing successful athletic programs correlate with successful academic achievement in schools. The author questions the quickness of some to rely on, " stereotypes about dumb jocks, anecdotes, and painful personal memories as their proof," that the opposite is true. Read the article
"Where will iPad art take us? And what will we leave behind?" That's what this interesting post on the MindShift blog asks as it looks at how teachers selectively use technology in their art and music classrooms. Read the article
This article looks at how high school debating teams are integrating technology. While the oral debate is still prized, students are making use of the ability to research and post supporting arguments online, and may tap into the ability to debate teams remotely.What Do You Think? Read the article
This article from Education Week links music training with cognitive skills. The music training is said to, "...increase the neural connections in regions of the brain associated with creativity, decision making, and complex memory, and they may improve a student’s ability to process conflicting information from many senses at once." Read the article
New research confirms an actual improvement in reading skills associated with studying music. This blog in The Washington Post features a post by Daniel Willingham, author of, When Can You Trust The Experts? How to Tell Good Science from Bad in Education. While highlighting the new research, Willingham argues music for music's sake is still to be prized. Read the article
A new study from Harvard debunks the conventional wisdom that studying music in the early years improves students' math performance. The authors still encourage students to study music for its intrinsic value. Read the article
Mind/Shift highlights the importance of working memory in efficient learning. While not all students need working memory training, one program has shown positive impacts on reading scores. Read the article
This Psychology Today author explains a new study showing why the placebo effect is the most effective aspect of brain training. Read the article
This NY Times article explores the research on whether or not brain training can make you smarter. The punchline: there's nothing out there that will make you innately smarter, but there are clear things you can do to help children reach their innate potential. Read the article
The Stanford Center on Longevity and the Berlin Max Planck Institute for Human Development offers this nuanced evaluation of brain-training games advertised to the public, and specifically to older adults, as means to improve memory and cognitive functions. The article states, “The consensus of the group is that claims promoting brain games are frequently exaggerated and at times misleading.” However, the article notes, “These conclusions do not mean that the brain does not remain malleable, even in old age.” Read the article
This article explains the latest research evaluating the effectiveness of brain training programs for children with ADHD or other attention issues. According to the researcher, "We found that these treatments are not effective for treating children with ADHD. They don't improve ADHD symptoms or behavior, they don't improve academic achievement, and in many cases do not improve the cognitive functions they claim to target." Read the article
This scholarly article from the Journal, Brain and Cognition cautions parents to be wary of some of the marketing around brain training and explains which cognitive areas are likely to have the greatest positive impact from the exercises. Read the article
This is an in-depth article from The New York Times that looks at popular brain training programs such as Learning Rx and Lumosity. The article examines the commercial, scientific, and anectodal aspects of the growing industry, as well as how parents have turned to it, sometimes at great expense. Read the article
This is a good critical review of the research on brain training from Scientific American. The author says that the broad claims of success from such training are probably exaggerated, but there is evidence that brain training could help some people improve working memory, an important cognitive skill. Read the article
This is a good article on the effectiveness of brain training from a leading non-profit, National Center for Learning Disabilities. We link directly to page two because it provides a good summary table of seven potential benefits of these programs as well as concerns or downsides.
Read the articleThis article from Science-Based Medicine does a comprehensive analysis of brain training. The evidence of effectiveness is decidedly mixed and improvements will depend on the type and severity of your child's weaknesses. In addition, the research indicates that paper-and-pencil games are equally effective. Read the article
This is an important article from The New Yorker, debunking many of the claims of brain trainers. The article is informative, as are the comments on the article at the end. Read the article
This piece from the NY Times questions the validity of the claims made by brain training companies. As a Duke neuroscience professor explains at the end of the article, “I’m not convinced there is a huge difference between buying a $300 subscription to a gaming company versus you yourself doing challenging things on your own..." Read the article
A Berkeley professor explains the potential benefits of training teachers in cognitive neuroscience. She explains that although applications have been limited so far, the field has enormous potential for improving learning outcomes. Read the article
This excerpted book chapter provides an excellent explanation of what parents should expect from the psychoeducational assessment process and how to begin to interpret the results. Read the article
Brainpickings explores the history of intelligence testing, including the cultural implications and biases and the role of genetics. This is an overview of what one will find in a book called The Gene. Read the article
A research study investigates the impact of gender and other types of diversity on group performance. Research showed that the individual abilities of group members dominates any diversity effects. Read the article
Why it is important to know how a child learns best if you want to help a student develop a growth mindset. Read the article
Parents see a side of their child that the rest of the world never does. If you are concerned that your child might need additional school support, use this Mindprint observation checklist as a starting to point to understand the root cause of your child's difficulties. It will help you to discuss your concerns with the teacher, child study team, or doctor if you decide you need to take the next step. Read the article
This American Psychological Association cover article explains the value of intelligence tests, also known as IQ or cognitive ability tests. It explains the history of the tests, validity and reliability, and the pre-cautions when using them to evaluate children. Read the article
Mindprint's CEO explains why cognitive tests can be the most efficient way to help teachers personalize learning. Read the article
In this Atlantic article, renowned educational research Daniel Willingham explains the differences between working and episodic memory as well as fluid and crystallized intelligence (though he doesn't call them out by name). He uses these explanations to demonstrate the importance of choosing and structuring the delivery of curriculum so that students not only learn what is important but also are more likely to remember it. Read the article
This journal article from the American Psychological Association was published in response to criticisms about standardized IQ tests. The authors concluded that while cognitive assessments may not measure all the different aspects of intelligence (creativity, emotional, etc.) and they should not be the only factor to consider in evaluating student ability, they remain the most reliable, valid, and objective measure of a student's academic potential. Read the article
This article from Understood.org does a nice job explaining what psychologists mean by the term "learning strengths" and why they matter. The key takeaway is that children learn differently and it is important to understand how a child learns best and present material accordingly. Read the article
This post asks us to explore the concept of intelligence more broadly, especially given the importance that intelligence has on life outcomes. The author emphasizes the importance of creative problem solving, or flexible thinking, and the ability to teach this skill in the classroom. Note that Mindprint does assess flexible thinking, but that the research is inconclusive on to what extent this skill, like all cognitive skills, can be taught. Read the article
This is a fantastic primer that lists the professionals associated with conducting educational assessments and helps parents understand their ability to make a diagnosis. For example, the author reminds parents, “…many of these professionals can suspect LD and/or ADHD but all are not licensed, or have the needed certifications to diagnose the disorders.” Read the article
The 10,000-hour rule, theorizing that it takes that many hours of practice to reach an expert level of performance or mastery is under scrutiny in this article. Cognitive psychologists found large discrepancies in the number of hours of practice it took for chess players to attain, “master status”. One player needed 22 times more deliberate practice than another player, suggesting genes and other factors play large roles than practice. Read the article
This Educated Mom post looks at the Founder and CEO of Mindprint, Nancy Weinstein, who used her experience in business, technology and parenting to bring a new product to the educational technology scene. In this profile, we hear from her about the process of developing Mindprint and what she’s learned along the way that may help other parents. Read the article
This post in The Educated Mom gives the essential information about psycho-educational evaluations. Parents who believe their children may benefit from a more specific understanding of their learning process will find this post extremely helpful, whether seeking the evaluation and assessment at school or through an outside provider. Read the article
This is a valuable post in The Educated Mom that provides a Q&A with child psychologist, Wendy Matthews. Dr. Matthews explains what a Cognitive Assessment is and how parents can utilize the information it provides to help better understand and support their children’s learning. Read the article
This CNN article does a good job explaining the value of IQ tests as well as their limitations. Note there is an error--IQ tests were standardized in the early 1900's not early 1990's Read the article
This article ,written by the authors of the book Nurture Shock, debunks some myths and provides evidence that early childhood screening tools are unreliable predictors of success in late elementary school. The authors are quick to point out that ability tests remain a better predictor than any of the alternatives, but that the nature of child brain development effectively limits the insight into a child's potential. Read the article
This piece from Harvard Business Review claims cognitive skills are a better predictor of job performance than academic achievements or even past job performance. Read the article
Parents who believe their child may be gifted but "misunderstood" can read this quick Q&A from the Davidson Institute on misdiagnosis, "a mismatch between the child’s actual learning and health needs and the perception of those needs by others." Read the article
This is a good article for parents who want to determine if their child has a learning difference. As the author states, "The key to identifying LD is therefore to identify areas of strength and weakness.. hone in on the very specific nature of the struggle, so that timely decisions can be made about carefully targeted intervention and support." Read the article
This blog from Education Week looks at the issue of IQ and examines challenges to the belief that it is inherited and cannot be changed or influenced by environment.What Do You Think? Read the article
This article written by a reading specialist emphasizes the importance of identifying learning differences early. The author also explains the Response to Intervention (RTI) program, which is intended to screen for such differences before children slip behind or become discouraged. Read the article
This article from Science Daily summarizes a large study on math achievement among 5th-10th graders in Germany. While innate intelligence may influence math achievement in early years, study habits and confidence become far more important as students get older. Read the article
This article from Scientific American explains how strong visual-spatial abilities, abilities often used by scientists, are under-emphasized on standardized IQ tests. Students with such strengths may not be selected for gifted and talented programs despite their high potential. Read the article
This article sites a well-respected study first published in Nature demonstrating how IQ scores changed significantly in adolescents in only a four year period, with a correlation between the changes in IQ scores and the changes in grey matter in the brain. According to the researchers, "More generally, our results emphasize the possibility that an individual’s intellectual capacity relative to their peers can decrease or increase in the teenage years." Read the article
A good and lengthy exploration of the neuroscience of "genius and the nature vs. nurture debate along with interesting charts of the age when most geniuses create their great works. Read the article
The Atlantic provides a dismal view of how difficult it is for students with learning differences, and particularly those who might also be gifted, to get the services they need under the educational structure. The author describes a system that has deteriorated and fails to meet the needs of many students because of the unsustainable cost structure, legal requirements, inconsistent parental demands and lack of teacher training. Read the article
This longitudinal study on mathematically gifted youth suggest that if gifted students receive the appropriate nurturing they are far more likely to have significant success and influence than their typically developing peers. The researchers encourage parents and educators to identify and nurture these exceptionally talented students for the overall betterment of society. Note to readers: Mindprint measures spatial ability, the key differentiating factor that is often unidentified by other tests of giftedness. Read the article
This psychologist's post explores the signs, potential causes and potential remediations for gifted children who might have slow processing speed. It is an excellent summary for parents concerned about how quickly their bright children can respond and process information. Read the article
This author explains the difference between creativity and intellect. He explains how creative geniuses demonstrate strengths in [the skills that Mindprint calls] abstract reasoning, spatial perception and flexible thinking. Read the article
This column provides advice from a child psychologist on specific considerations for gifted students deciding on a college to avoid the same social and academic disappointments they might have encountered in high school. Read the article
This article from edutopia provides guidance for general education teachers on how to (and not to) support gifted students in the classroom when they finish their work early. Product reviews in your Mindprint Toolbox will tell you if a product will be best for very strong students to further develop their cognitive strengths. Read the article
This cover story from the American Psychological Association discusses imposter syndrome. Some high achievers struggle with the feeling that they just aren't that smart and that they must work extra hard lest they be "discovered." This article gives examples of the occurrence in PhD students and specific tactics to help higher achievers grow more accepting of themselves. Read the article
This NPR blog addresses the three of the most important, yet difficult to answer, questions about giftedness: 1) How do you define it? 2) How do you identify it? How do you serve gifted students? Read the article
When gifted students aren't properly motivated, they can be among the most difficult learners to reach. Harnessing that potential can be a challenge for a variety of reasons. This blog from NuMinds, a center that focuses on motivating gifted learners, provides practical advice for parents of gifted underachievers on how they can support their children. Read the article
Gifted teenagers often face a different set of challenges than their typically developing peers. Parents and teachers might find this a useful article to help these gifted individuals through difficult periods. Read the article
This mom's powerful story of why she felt the gifted label did more harm than good for her son offers an important caution for parents whose children are identified as gifted early in life. It also is consistent with research that shows that many children who test gifted in elementary school do not continue to perform at gifted levels throughout childhood. Read the article
Simple yet helpful advice from a child psychologist to help parents of gifted children navigate the school system. Read the article
This thorough article on giftedness from the National Center for Gifted and Talented we believe is a must read for all educators. The key take away is: "what the research clearly and unequivocally tells us is that giftedness can be developed in some people if an appropriate interaction takes place between a person, his or her environment, and a particular area of human endeavor." We can help you uncover where those particular areas are most likely to be. A very worthwhile read. Read the article
According to this article, as many as 14% of children who are gifted also may struggle with a learning disability. These students are often misunderstood and underperform in school relative to their potential. Parents and teachers need to follow up if they suspect they have a student who fits in double-label. Read the article
This poignant advice can be helpful for a gifted child who struggles with managing interactions with teachers and students. Read the article
This blog post from Mindprint's CEO explores how cognitive assessments can be an effective way to free bright students from the pervasive anxiety and depression associated with high expectations. Read the article
Our experts tell you the signs of giftedness, potential strategies to support a gifted child, and why it is important to nurture your child's giftedness from the earliest ages. Read the article
This article from Yahoo! Health explores the differences among gifted intelligence, genius, and creative genius. The author discusses the roles of heredity, education and environment. There are no definitive conclusions, but many people may find it a fascinating topic and those with gifted children may find it helpful in understanding their child's potential. Read the article
This article written by two physicians describes signs of dyslexia often overlooked in intellectually gifted children. The authors provide very specific concerns for parents to look for if they suspect an undiagnosed reading struggle. Read the article
This blog written by a mom provides a parent's perspective on what are the most important considerations when deciding if a gifted child should skip a grade in school. Read the article
This is a fantastic read from the National Education Association about the behavior of gifted kids who are not given proper stimulation. Fortunately, the article gives a simple rubric developed at the University of Connecticut called the "5 C's" as a prescription to support gifted students. Read the article
This post in Great Schools looks at the pros and cons of skipping a grade (or two) in school. The post looks at intellectual and social issues, as well as the outcomes of some who have skipped grades themselves. If you are the parent of a gifted child who is considering this option, this post may provide some food for thought. Read the article
This article does a superb job explaining why gifted education is essential for both the individual and society as a whole. Although not addressed in this article and an ongoing point of contention is what qualifies a student for gifted education services. Should gifted services be for the "very bright" or only the "profoundly gifted" (than 2% of the population)? Read the article
This is a scholarly chapter from a University of Connecticut publication that looks at the issues related to underachievement in gifted students, a problem that has been a focus of gifted education research for more than 20 years. Parents of children who are gifted but not meeting their full potentials may find this an informative read. Read the article
This blog from Mind/Shift explores the success of the profoundly gifted. While this group has a disproportionate percentage of high powered careers and advanced degrees, there is a disturbingly large number who never reach their full potential, presumably at an overall societal loss. Research suggests that children do not live up to their full potential unless they are appropriately challenged. There is concern that many schools are not meeting the needs of these exceptionally capable students. Read the article
This site links to a trailer for a documentary on twice exceptional students, gifted or highly gifted individuals with learning disabilities. These students have tremendous abilities but also great obstacles to realizing their potential. Read the article
This is a great post for parents of gifted children, who are often considered by their peers to “have it easy” because their children excel academically. This post acknowledges that these children’s drive for perfectionism, difficulty making friends, and emotional sensitivity, make the role of parenting such children uniquely challenging. Read the article
This post by University of Pennsylvania professor, Scott Barry Kaufman, cites research saying people with ADHD are more likely to “…reach higher levels of creative thought and achievement than people without these characteristics.” Kaufman cautions that those with ADHD are often shut out of Gifted and Talented programs and need to be recognized for their potential. Read the article
Giftedness is a term packed with significance but muddy on meaning, at least when it comes to how to define it. This post in The Educated Mom focuses on some straightforward facts about what it means to be “profoundly gifted” and how the United States manages, or does not manage, its gifted and talented programs in education. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog looks at an article, “Emotional Intensity in Gifted Children,” which may explain the deep feelings of highly sensitive and gifted children who experience the world in a vivid manner. Parents of such children may feel a moment of recognition seldom explained elsewhere when they read this author’s comprehensive yet subtle observations. Read the article
This is a first person success story of an academically gifted high school senior who also has dyslexia, dysgraphia (writing disorder) and dyscalculia (math disorder). Although her path was not always easy, she is an Anne Ford Scholar and wants to pay-it-forward by helping other children in her situation meet their full potential. Read the article
This article summarizes Daniel Goleman's new book. It discusses how the quality of effort is more important than the quantity of effort among those individuals who are exceptional in their fields. Read the article
This is complex, scientific paper that consolidates the current research on giftedness. Although not everyone will want to read the entirety, the introduction can be a start for educators and parents of bright children to understand the current thinking around giftedness and potential ways to help these children maximize their potential. Read the article
This article from the Boston Globe raises the concern that the United States may be sacrificing its national competitiveness by not identifying and motivating some of the most gifted students. The article cites the persistent under-funding of gifted programs. Read the article
This New York Times editorial highlights a somewhat overlooked but disturbing statistic about the performance of America's most gifted students on international standardized tests. It states, "Other tests have shown that America’s younger students fare better in global comparisons than its older students do, which suggests a disturbing failure of educators to nurture good students as they progress to higher grades. Over all, the United States is largely holding still while foreign competitors are improving rapidly." Read the article
This post in The Motherlode blog is a helpful read about the social and emotional considerations that accompany skipping a grade. Read the article
This post questions whether gifted public school students are receiving sufficient resources. The article discusses the lack of federal funding for gifted programs and a 2011 study finding that 30-50% of high ability students decline in achievement over time. Read the article
This article from the Wall Street Journal interviews parents of profoundly gifted children, those in the top one-half of one percent of the population. From sending a thirteen year old off to college, or living apart as a couple to support the child's education, their stories make clear the amount of parental support required to give these children the intellectual stimulation they innately crave. Read the article
Gifted kids who have enormous amounts of physical energy are often misunderstood and misidentified, this article says, in part because, "...abundant physical energy is so opposite from the typical image of a gifted learner, it’s shamefully easy to overlook this child’s intelligence and focus only on his behavior." Read the article
This article states, "...we do not have a systematic way of meeting the needs of the gifted" and continues by explaining the detrimental effects of not properly stimulating profoundly gifted children. One solution, the article presents, however, are online options, not only for intellectual growth, but to find communities of peers with similar abilities. Read the article
This in-depth report from the non-profit Jack Kent Cooke Foundation discusses the lack of sufficient supports for gifted children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Read the article
This blog post from the head of a school for gifted children makes a case for a national imperative to provide more resources for gifted children and highlights some of the risks of not providing appropriate stimulation for gifted students. Read the article
This article distinguishes the attributes of exceptionally gifted children from the more familiar gifted children, and explains some of the added challenges the families of exceptionally gifted children face. Read the article
Perfectionism in children, and the anxiety that comes with it, is the subject of this Q&A with Thomas Greenspon provided by the Davidson Institutes for Talent Development, a school for gifted children. Precise definitions of the types of perfectionism and ways to address it make this a valuable resource for parents. Read the article
This article from Education Week discusses the problems with gifted programs, including lack of funding, outreach and inclusion of minorities, and inconsistent requirements. Parents, and some institutions, have stepped up to try to address the problems. Read the article
This blog post looks at new research suggesting that for some children with high IQs, the brain experiences an extended ability to learn new things. Environment, in such cases, and opportunities to learn a new language or instrument can, benefit such gifted teens. Read the article
This article from Great Schools discusses the risks of not appropriately stimulating gifted children and the complexities of differentiating between giftedness and "privilege". Read the article
If you have a gifted and emotionally sensitive child this article may be what you've been searching for. This extremely valuable piece begins with a section on bibliotherapy but follows with a focus on Emotional Intensity in Gifted Children. Read the article
This blog post from MindShift highlights a new website for gifted students in math and science. As the post quotes one person as saying, the site, "... is designed for talented 11- to 18-year-olds who would probably be “Googling for hard math problems."" Read the article
This is an interesting read about "maker" students who build and create of their own inventions. The most successful students were those whose parents had limited subject knowledge but were encouraging, allowing the child to be the leader. Read the article
The twice exceptional student, increasingly identified as "2e" is a student who displays both giftedness and a learning difference. This article provides advice for teachers, but parents may find it useful as well. Read the article
Creative teens may be overlooked by schools' gifted programs in part because their academic records and strengths may not fit such program's expectations. To fill that gap, researchers identified common characteristics of creative adults such as Woody Allen and Mark Twain, that may indicate creative potential and success. Read the article
Parents who believe their child may be gifted but "misunderstood" can read this quick Q&A from the Davidson Institute on misdiagnosis, "a mismatch between the child’s actual learning and health needs and the perception of those needs by others." Read the article
This presentation from The Davidson Institute looks at five common myths about gifted children. The link to the video component of the program is not available, but the information provided may be of great value to some parents. Read the article
This post from a gifted and talented instructor on an Indian Reservation includes comments from students who were asked to explain how gifted and talented programs have helped them. Read the article
This brief commentary in The New York Times questions if schools are providing sufficient stimulation for gifted children in their attempt to provide differentiated instruction in one classroom Read the article
This commentary from The New York Times highlights different viewpoints on the treatment and resources for gifted children. People on both sides of the issue may benefit from a better understanding of the perspectives. Read the article
This article from Scientific American explains how strong visual-spatial abilities, abilities often used by scientists, are under-emphasized on standardized IQ tests. Students with such strengths may not be selected for gifted and talented programs despite their high potential. Read the article
Although some may find it hard to relate to a parent bemoaning the difficulties of raising a profoundly gifted child, this story does a wonderful job helping to make it clear that every parent struggles trying to raise a child who is different from the mainstream whether it be for academic, social or emotional reasons. Read the article
This article focuses on the prevalence of exceptional working memory among prodigies. Working memory, the part of memory that enables you to remember and apply information, may be one of the areas of ability most improved with practice. Read the article
"Put succinctly, we only think about things we care about," explains Mary Helen Immordino-Yang in this excellent explanation in Mind/Shift about how and why emotions are core to everything we learn. Read the article
This longitudinal study shows that kids who are intrinsically motivated at a young age have higher life success and happiness than their intellectually gifted peers who lack the same level of motivation. The author's recommendation to parents: help your child discover what he loves and then nurture that love. Read the article
This brief article on growth mindset research suggests that growth mindset interventions work well for some, but not all, students. The benefits are promising for lower income/performing students but far less so for others. Read the article
EdWeek tries to explain how teachers are misinterpreting the growth mindset and the importance of not oversimplifying. Read the article
EdWeek provides a detailed of study of growth mindset in the classroom based on its national survey of teachers showing that while almost all teachers know and believe in growth mindset, only one in five is confident in using growth mindset in the classroom. Read the article
The Washington Post explores how women might respond differently from men in the workplace and encourages six behaviors that might help young girls develop into stronger, more self-confident women. Read the article
GRIT author Angela Duckworth addresses several topics including misunderstandings about grit and how she develops grit in her own household. She emphasizes the importance of intrinsic motivation as the prerequisite for true grit. Read the article
Digital Promise provides three essential elements for teachers to increase student motivation: autonomy, relatedness, and competence. It provides the research backing and clear explanations. Read the article
This EdCircuit commentary, written by Mindprint Founder Nancy Weinstein, explains how cognitive data can effectively power personalized learning in ways that cannot be done without accurate, objective data. Read the article
Paul Tough, author of How Children Succeed, explains why he now believes non-cognitive skills like grit should not be explicitly taught. Instead, they should be embedded and reinforced through daily habits and environment. Read the article
Why it is important to know how a child learns best if you want to help a student develop a growth mindset. Read the article
NY Magazine explores goal setting through the eyes of Olympic athletes and explains why small achievable goals might be far more effective than BHAGs (big hairy audacious goals). Read the article
Edutopia explains why social-emotional learning is such an important part of the learning process. It provides examples of how teachers can develop emotional skills even if their school does not have a formal curriculum or training. Read the article
Learn about the benefits of testing, when administered in the right spirit. They can increase self-awareness, improve retention, deepen learning, and improve students' ability to handle performance pressure. Read the article
The Washington Post's On Parenting explains that while we can't motivate children to succeed, parents can create an environment where kids are more willing to try. Read the article
Stanford researcher Carol Dweck, clarifies the research on growth mindset. As Dweck explains, "[growth mindset] is not something you declare, it's a really difficult journey taken over a long period of time." Read the article
Survey data from Gallup research is used to understand the large slide in student engagement after elementary school. The four key ways that seem to be the most crucial to re-engage students might feel surprising to adults. They are (1) better preparation in elementary school; (2) strong teacher relationships; (3) adult praise and recognition; and (4) build on each child's strengths. Read the article
A new study co-authored by Growth Mindset pioneer Carol Dweck shows that parents' views on failure are the driving influence on whether a student has a growth mindset. The article identifies the nuances that parents should consider as they react to their child's failures and the words they choose to offer encouragement. Read the article
This Mind/Shift article explores the potential downsides of giving parents access to student data, including negative impacts on motivation, helicopter parenting, and privacy. Read the article
This article explores the inherent nature of the scientific journey which might lead students to believe they lack the talent to be scientists. And how educators can change that mindset. Read the article
This NY Times review of Professor Angela Duckworth's book on grit highlights the perhaps surprising advice that it is sometimes okay to quit. It includes guidelines by age of when it might be appropriate to give up on something that you don't enjoy. Read the article
This brief edutopia blog explains why intrinsic motivation is more important than external motivators and a simple guideline of how to reinforce intrinsic motivation in the classroom. Read the article
This lengthy Harvard Education article discusses the ongoing importance, and challenges, of educating students in the skills that aren't measured on standardized tests: empathy, motivation, self-regulation, executive functions, and social skills. Challenges include the lack of universal definitions, relative inadequacies of measurement instruments, and lack of an immediate and direct correlation to achievement. Yet educators know that these are the same skills that often are the most important determinants of life success. The article highlights schools that are making some progress in developing these skills. Read the article
This blog post from the non-profit ASCD enumerates the key ingredients for successful student engagement and learning. When parents are evaluating schools they might want to evaluate whether or not the school embraces these instructional approaches. Educators can use this post as quick reminder of what strategies they want to incorporate into their classrooms. Read the article
This Ed Mom blog addresses some of the misunderstandings around Carol Dweck's research on growth mindset and explains what parents and teachers need to do for the core foundation of building a growth mindset. Read the article
This week's Educated Mom explores how many successful people, including Steven Spielberg and Richard Branson, attribute their success to having had to overcome weaknesses. Read the article
This Harvard Education article goes into detail on the research behind why children need to make mistakes to learn and some of the obstacles to letting them. It covers the work of notable researchers like Carol Dweck (growth mindset) and Robert Bjork (desirable difficulties). Read the article
The long-term importance of students being intrinsically motivated rather than having external rewards or punishments is increasingly well understood. This edutopia blog provides some background on why intrinsic motivation is so important and provides specific strategies to help teachers and parents develop intrinsic motivation. Read the article
In this post, Carol Dweck clarifies what she means by growth mindset after watching misinterpretations. In sum, "it is about telling the truth about a student’s current achievement and then, together, doing something about it, helping him or her become smarter." Read the article
Child Mind Institute explains why it is important for children to get comfortable with mistakes or "failure" and then provides some very strategic approaches to help parents help their children. Read the article
This teacher provides pragmatic advice to teachers working to balance student motivation, recognizing that it may not be practical to depend on intrinsic motivation every day for every student. Read the article
In this article, renowned educator Alfie Kohn takes aim at the oversimplification and application of Carol Dweck's growth mindset. While he acknowledges her work is grounded in good science, he explains how it ignores the even more important intrinsic motivating factors as the more important variables in driving student learning. Read the article
This Brainpickings article explores the work of Stanford research psychologist Carol Dweck. Dweck's research is being applied throughout the educational community. Her work shows that if students perceive themselves as capable they will be able to improve and grow. However, if they view their abilities as fixed or static, they are far more capable of improvement, regardless of innate ability. While these mindsets manifest at an early age, Dweck's research provides prescriptions for how to talk to children to cultivate an all-important growth mindset. Read the article
Parents interested in understanding more about the role that passion, resilience and effort can have on their child's ultimate success will enjoy this interview with Penn professor Angela Duckworth, a leader in the research on grit and performance. Read the article
This article from Scientific American cites the mounting evidence of the important role genuine interest plays in deeper learning. While the research does not minimize the importance of grit and persistence, the conclusion is that, "...choosing a goal that is both emotionally interesting and which you find personally meaningful goes a long way to alleviating some of the mental burden required to realize your dreams." Read the article
In this newsletter, Mindprint editors discuss how to inspire self-directed learning with interest-led projects. Read the article
Our experts explain why parents should quickly understand why a child consistently resists doing homework. Often, the reason is not the homework itself but other problems such as understanding, attention or anxiety. Read the article
This blog from edutopia directs teachers on how to cultivate students' ability to explore and find answers independently rather than seek help for the "right answer." This skill is truly essential and classified in others articles as a key 21st century skill. Although the strategies are written for teachers, they are quite relevant to parents too. Read the article
This excellent article explores the importance of resilience in overcoming and adversity and how to help children build resilience, including the need for supportive relationships with an adult. Read the article
This brief article from Harvard's Graduate School of Education explains the key elements of environment and disposition which enables some children to succeed despite trauma or failure while others struggle. Fortunately, the prescriptions work and can be used to support all children. Read the article
This is an out outstanding overview of techniques to employ when things get scary for children, from unsettling natural disasters to horrific events in the news. The detailed post has three major categories for parents: model good coping skills, reassure, and support. Read the article
It may come as no surprise that people are better able to learn information when they are curious about a topic, but this article describes a study that shows that the benefit of curiosity may extend to learning about other, less interesting topics, once curiosity is aroused. “Curiosity may put the brain in a state that allows it to learn and retain any kind of information, like a vortex that sucks in what you are motivated to learn, and also everything around it.” Read the article
This Educated Mom blog is a reminder to parents to let their children see the hard work required to make the family’s life run smoothly. From planning a Thanksgiving meal to getting the dishes done, the more children see their parents’ efforts, the more they may believe that despite the conveniences of technology, most success requires hard work and prolonged commitment. Read the article
This blog post from The Educated Mom looks at the subject of grades and questions whether an intrinsic love of learning can still be cultivated when there is pressure to attain a particular score. While some students can keep their own inner drive, others become focused on grades at the expense of growth. Read the article
This article summarizes Daniel Goleman's new book. It discusses how the quality of effort is more important than the quantity of effort among those individuals who are exceptional in their fields. Read the article
This article highlights advice from Daniel Goleman's new book, Focus. He identifies seven cultural reasons that students may not exhibit the right level of effort, and then he provides very specific ideas of how to counter societal influences to help students develop the motivation they need to be successful. Read the article
Angela Duckworth, a University of Pennsylvania professor, MacArthur Fellow, and researcher on the importance of "grit" in the achievement is interviewed in this post on the Scholastic site. Read the article
This 14 point list from Teach Thought is prefaced by explaining that although every child learns differently, most have the same basic needs to be successful. Read the article
This interview with Dr. Tim Elmore looks at 7 mistakes parents often make in an effort to avoid being like their own parents or to protect their children from failure. The interview looks at ways to curb these tendencies and to guide children in a more grounded process. Read the article
This brief post provides key information every parent and every student should know about brain development. The article also gives easy-to-implement tips (drink lots of water) that will build self-confidence and self-awareness. Read the article
This article offers helpful advice for both teachers and parents to help students understand the importance of persistence and strengthen their skills. Read the article
This article from The Atlantic delves into the workplace differences between men and women. While the focus is primarily on attitudes and careers of adults, the authors do look into the mindset and nurture of girls versus boys and the long-term consequences on self-confidence. Read the article
This story looks how to help children find their "aspirational state", credited with bringing motivation and academic success. Developing self-worth, engagement, and purpose, help students link their academic efforts to a larger, longed-for goal. Read the article
This opinion piece in The New York Times calls on parents to end the "non-stop" recognition of our children with participation trophies and rewards for nearly every effort. Citing research, the author makes a compelling argument to help increase our children's eagerness to seek challenges by allowing them to experience losing. Read the article
Although this blog is written for teachers, parents may find these motivation techniques extremely helpful when working with their children on school work at home. Read the article
This column from the Washington Post provides a summary of the book Nurture Shock. The book's author maintains that parents who heap praise upon their children and protect them from failure will see their efforts backfire by creating kids who are unable to cope in the real world. Read the article
This TED Talk, previewed by Mind/Shift, may inspire teens. The key takeaway is that most great people have ordinary fears and worries just like anyone, but become exceptional by persevering anyway. Read the article
This scientific article, written by key researchers of grit, may be helpful for those interested in delving more deeply into that concept, as well as ideas about delayed gratification and the growth mindset, (that intelligence is malleable rather than fixed) and their potential links to long-term success. Read the article
In this Edutopia article, a former neurologist gives a clear explanation of Executive Function in the context of brain development and the skills required by an ever-changing world. Read the article
This blog post expounds on how natural, sincere interest in a subject is the best predictor of future pursuit, even more important than innate ability. The author elaborates on how to help sustain that interest rather than inadvertently squashing it. Read the article
Here is more research looking at how to keep children, girls in particular, confident in math. Instead of looking at math ability as "fixed", children should be encouraged to view their ability as improvable with effort and to accept little failures along the way. Read the article
This blog from Education Week looks at a study that says grit, sometimes called "stick-to-it-ness" was, "nearly as predictive as ACT scores to the college success of young black men who attend mostly white universities." Read the article
This blog looks at a recent interview with the co-authors of Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing. It's a must read for parents interested in how to instill a healthy sense of risk-taking in their children. Read the article
This blog post looks at examples from the book Top Dog in which competition hurt performance. It's an excellent summary for parents who may want to better understand the situations and factors that can bring out the best in their children. Read the article
This is an excellent summary of the Department of Education's new report on important non-cognitive skills that will drive long-term success. Although written for teachers, there are practical explanations and recommendations suited for parents, and a link to the full report. Read the article
This article looks pediatrician Kenneth Ginsburg's book Building Resilience in Children and Teens. The post includes Ginsburg's "7 C's of Resilience" and his definition of a successful child: one who finds something he loves to do, is generous, empathetic and compassionate, committed to repairing the world, shows grit and the ability to collaborate, creativity and can take constructive criticism. Read the article
Parents whose children feel pressure to learn things quickly may find this article helpful. The author looks at the benefits of being in "problem-solving situations" and gives readers tips for introducing such situations into their own lives, to gain comfort with states of "confusion" and the process of arriving at answers. Read the article
Well-respected EdWeek blogger Walt Garder shares his perspective on why student engagement starts strong but drops off significantly by high school. High school classrooms, he says, are obsolete and teachers are stymied in their efforts to implement change in most public schools. Read the article
This article from Science Daily summarizes a large study on math achievement among 5th-10th graders in Germany. While innate intelligence may influence math achievement in early years, study habits and confidence become far more important as students get older. Read the article
In this blog post, a mother explains how she used some of the principles of Paul Tough's book, How Children Succeed, to help her son learn to handle situations in which he felt bullied or picked on. Read the article
This blog post on The Huffington Post is an excerpt from Dr. Jim Taylor's book, Your Children are Listening: Nine Messages They Need to Hear from You. Taylor emphasizes, "The only way for children to build a true sense of competence is through first-hand experience that includes travails, triumphs, struggles, setbacks, and successes." Read the article
This New York Times post highlights a common challenge of parenting children with different strengths and needs. The author turns to experts who provide insightful advice for a long-range method of cultivating the passions and confidence of each child. Read the article
This post provides an analytical review of Paul Tough's book, How Children Succeed. Readers who have read or wish to read Tough's book might appreciate the reviewer's specific expertise, which leads him to agree with Tough's appreciation of "Grit" but see other factors, including early acquisition of vocabulary, in a different light. Read the article
This is a wonderful post that delves into the student psyche, particularly the insecure feelings common among young girls. New evidence shows how referencing role models may discourage more than it inspires. Read the article
Parents may find this post extremely valuable in helping to teach children how to re-direct fear of failure into a positive attitude for advancement. The researcher classifies children into four categories, starting points to start the process of change. Read the article
This blog post will have particular resonance with parents of bright children who struggle with education and finding their way in life. Written by a senior in high school, the post originally appeared in Forbes. Read the article
This blog is written by a professor of physics who instructs elementary education majors. To quote the author, "confusion is the sweat of learning." Read the article
In this excerpt, noted educator Alfie Kohn takes aim at the importance of grit in educating children. He provides counter-arguments to the research of MacArthur Fellow Angela Duckworth that shows the relationship between grit and success. Read the article
This excellent Washington Post article by Phyllis Fagell helps parents understand what they need to do when they notice a change in their child's academic or school behavior. The author does an excellent job providing solutions for the most common situations parents might face. Read the article
A former school administrator provides targeted advice for educators to run an effective IEP meeting. It highlights the need for parents and educators to be equally well-informed to best meet the needs of all constituencies and keep the experience positive. Read the article
This personal narrative relives a parents' decision to switch schools for their youngest child when the school could not meet their son's needs for accommodations. This is a common emotional dilemma for many parents of children with learning differences. Read the article
The Atlantic provides a dismal view of how difficult it is for students with learning differences, and particularly those who might also be gifted, to get the services they need under the educational structure. The author describes a system that has deteriorated and fails to meet the needs of many students because of the unsustainable cost structure, legal requirements, inconsistent parental demands and lack of teacher training. Read the article
The Atlantic discusses the possibilities and challenges for students with learning differences who want to attend college. It addresses some of the misconceptions about the services offered at most colleges and gives suggestions of colleges and resources that are best-known for serving students with learning differences and ADHD. Read the article
Understand the pros and cons of giving kids' learning struggles a "label". It's a complicated consideration of perceptions, self-esteem, and making sure they receive the appropriate services. Read the article
This list from College Choice ranks the best schools for students with ADHD, Autism, or other learning disabilities. Read the article
This chart from Understood.org highlights the specific differences of having an IEP versus a 504 Plan. Know that every parent has the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) not just students with an IEP as the chart suggests. Read the article
In January 2016 the Justice Department released new guidelines around testing and accommodations for students with learning disabilities. This page from the non-profit Dyslexic Advantage highlights many of the most important considerations for school-aged children. Read the article
Going to college presents specific new challenges for students with a learning disability. This blog from a special education advocate and child psychologist provides concrete steps on how to prepare for the transition. Read the article
This important new ruling from the Justice Department should make it easier for students to receive the same accommodations on standardized tests as they have in their IEPs or 504 Plans. Read the article
For struggling readers or those with a reading disability, structured instruction is crucial in developing reading fluency. This article from the International Dyslexia Association explains the key elements of structured literacy. Parents will want to insist that their struggling readers are given proper instruction in all of these areas. Read the article
This post from Great Schools helps parents understand how behavior problems should be handled for kids with IEPs or pending IEPs. In short, the law protects students from being punished for behaviors that are related to their disability, but that doesn’t mean that special education students are not responsible for their behaviors. The article gives relevant examples so parents better understand their rights. Read the article
This important post from Child Mind Institute reminds parents that it is just as important that your child be able to discuss his or her learning disability as it is for your child to get the appropriate services. Read the article
This Motherlode blog in the New York Times falls in the category of things "I wish someone had told me." So we pass it on to parents of a child with a learning disability as anecdotal advice from one parent to another. Read the article
This Education Week blog provides a former principal's concern with the amount of resources spent on the administrative special education process rather than effectively helping students if and when they need support. The blog provides a history of how and why special education services have evolved. Read the article
Mindprint’s Educated Mom blog took a closer look at the IEP meeting and how parents can best prepare. Mindprint’s team of learning specialists gives inside advice on the nuances of the meetings, the importance of “doing your homework,” and how to do what you can to have the best emotional and tactical support before heading into meeting. Read the article
This article, written by an attorney, gives parents information about the legal protections provided to children with disabilities and provides examples of how such children can be given opportunities to participate in extracurricular clubs or sports. Read the article
This is a comprehensive article on Understood.org that explains the particular details of IEPs, including how students may qualify for them and how to navigate the educational system once one is in place for a child. The nonprofit, Understood.org, is a useful resource for parents of children with learning disabilities, and this article, like many others on the site, is a sound reference. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog features the story of a mother who spent many months seeking a solution for her bright son’s troubles. Only through the complicated process of seeking specific help and advice did she find a psychologist who confirmed her son was dyslexic. If the process of psycho-educational testing and cognitive assessments confuses you, this post may be of particular interest. Read the article
This article from the National Center for Learning Disabilities tells parents how best to interpret an IEP report, as well as information on their legal rights and what action can be taken if necessary. Read the article
This article in Education Week is a must-read for parents of children with special needs who will be taking the Common Core tests. While the article discusses the recently announced accommodations guidelines, it is important for parents to stay up-to-date. Read the article
This article from Smart Kids with LD is a good guide for parents who want to understand their legal rights and properly advocate for their child's best interests. Read the article
This article explains how states are slowly moving beyond measuring compliance to measuring improvement in outcomes for students who qualify for special services. Read the article
The legislation around whether or not children with ADHD qualify for special education services is indisputably confusing. This blog post provides some helpful advice on how to advocate for your child. Read the article
This is an inspiring story of parents of dyslexic children in New Jersey who formed Decoding New Jersey, which now has groups in other states and advocates for awareness and change in both policy and education. Read the article
If you are considering having your child evaluated for a learning difference this is a must-read article about why and how to include your child in the process from the Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities website. Read the article
This is an informative article for parents whose children may seek accommodations on the ACT or SAT. While the tests may be years away for some, it is worth knowing about particular options and requirements. Read the article
This article written by a reading specialist emphasizes the importance of identifying learning differences early. The author also explains the Response to Intervention (RTI) program, which is intended to screen for such differences before children slip behind or become discouraged. Read the article
With a focus on budgets, this article from the Huffington Post looks at what happens when traditional public schools lose students to charter schools or other factors, but retain those with special needs. The result is a relative increase in that population. Read the article
This post from Great Schools gives one parent's account of a frustrating journey that started with the suspicion a child may have a learning difference and finally lead to a proper diagnosis and appropriate support. Research shows that early diagnosis is beneficial to the academic, emotional and social well-being of the child. Read the article
A good and lengthy exploration of the neuroscience of "genius and the nature vs. nurture debate along with interesting charts of the age when most geniuses create their great works. Read the article
"Put succinctly, we only think about things we care about," explains Mary Helen Immordino-Yang in this excellent explanation in Mind/Shift about how and why emotions are core to everything we learn. Read the article
Noted educational leader provides his perspective on the problems with the existing educational model. His basic conclusion, "if collectively those involved in the education system changed what it means to achieve in a way that honors the natural diversity of human life, many more people would see themselves as achievers and would push themselves beyond expectations set for them." Read the article
For those struggling with what they want to do with their lives, this article provides practical advice on identifying what is important to you. It also offers encouragement on how to stick with it. Read the article
This EdMom blog offers parents long-term perspective on the importance of college admissions goals versus long-term career choices. Given the nature of college admissions process, reading this might alleviate some of the pressure both parents and students feel to have the perfect application. Read the article
This blog discusses a new program aimed at helping high school and college students to discover their passions and life goals. We know that people are most successful in careers for which they have true passion. Read the article
This New Year's blog from the Educated Mom explores the importance of parents in helping children become their "best selves." Resolutions provide a convenient opportunity to work with a child to grow, improve, and find new interests. Read the article
Identifying a child as intense is entirely subjective, but parents and educators often say that you "know it when you see it." They can be among the most rewarding and frustrating children to handle. This brief article provides some advice on how to harness and embrace some of that intensity. Read the article
This article documents "what our intuition tells us to be true: that more engagement results in higher achievement." It also explains why and provides achievable examples to boost student engagement. Read the article
This article from Scientific American cites the mounting evidence of the important role genuine interest plays in deeper learning. While the research does not minimize the importance of grit and persistence, the conclusion is that, "...choosing a goal that is both emotionally interesting and which you find personally meaningful goes a long way to alleviating some of the mental burden required to realize your dreams." Read the article
In this newsletter, Mindprint editors discuss how to inspire self-directed learning with interest-led projects. Read the article
This post from the Harvard Graduate School of Education looks at a study of high school students and teachers and the benefit of forming connections, such as by discovering similar interest or hobbies or charities. The positive connection has an overall positive effect on student performance, particularly for the neediest students. Read the article
It may come as no surprise that people are better able to learn information when they are curious about a topic, but this article describes a study that shows that the benefit of curiosity may extend to learning about other, less interesting topics, once curiosity is aroused. “Curiosity may put the brain in a state that allows it to learn and retain any kind of information, like a vortex that sucks in what you are motivated to learn, and also everything around it.” Read the article
Every parent is a teacher and here are 12 tips providing great advice on how to inspire your children. The list is a highlight of some of the philosophies included in the book American Teacher: Heroes in the Classroom. Read the article
This article summarizes Daniel Goleman's new book. It discusses how the quality of effort is more important than the quantity of effort among those individuals who are exceptional in their fields. Read the article
This blog post expounds on how natural, sincere interest in a subject is the best predictor of future pursuit, even more important than innate ability. The author elaborates on how to help sustain that interest rather than inadvertently squashing it. Read the article
How do teachers keep students engaged in school? This teacher, co-author of "The Passion Driven Classroom," has some ideas parents may find valuable. Read the article
By 2020, there will be 1 million unfilled computer programming jobs, according to this article, which looks at a new series of short films designed to get kids excited about the potential career choice. A link to the film is included.What Do You Think? Read the article
This article looks pediatrician Kenneth Ginsburg's book Building Resilience in Children and Teens. The post includes Ginsburg's "7 C's of Resilience" and his definition of a successful child: one who finds something he loves to do, is generous, empathetic and compassionate, committed to repairing the world, shows grit and the ability to collaborate, creativity and can take constructive criticism. Read the article
This blog bemoans the decline of "tinkering" among today's students. The freedom to experiment without a fear of failure or pressure to perform should be reclaimed, this author says, if we want to inspire a generation of STEM innovators. Read the article
A new study from Harvard debunks the conventional wisdom that studying music in the early years improves students' math performance. The authors still encourage students to study music for its intrinsic value. Read the article
This Huffington Post blog from a former teacher provides five useful strategies parents might integrate to keep reading an enjoyable and important part of their children's lives. Read the article
If there was any doubt about the value in teaching to students' interests, this blog describes a study showing how algebra performance improved when problems were customized to students' extra-curricular likes. Read the article
This excellent Washington Post article by Phyllis Fagell helps parents understand what they need to do when they notice a change in their child's academic or school behavior. The author does an excellent job providing solutions for the most common situations parents might face. Read the article
Mind/Shift explains how powerful podcasts and audio books can be for struggling readers. The article includes recommendations by age group. Read the article
ADDitude Magazine identifies learning disabilities that might overlap with ADHD and the potential confusing characteristics. Read the article
This excerpted book chapter provides an excellent explanation of what parents should expect from the psychoeducational assessment process and how to begin to interpret the results. Read the article
NPR features artists with dyslexia who share their work inspired by their dyslexia. A very worthwhile share for anyone with dyslexia or who supports someone with dyslexia. Read the article
The Atlantic discusses the possibilities and challenges for students with learning differences who want to attend college. It addresses some of the misconceptions about the services offered at most colleges and gives suggestions of colleges and resources that are best-known for serving students with learning differences and ADHD. Read the article
The Atlantic explains that girls with autism are often under-diagnosed or diagnosed later because the disorder might manifest in less obvious ways. It also addresses the need for interventions that are specific to helping girls with autism address social and emotional issues that are gender-specific. Read the article
This helpful post explains some of the similarities and differences of ADHD vs. specific learning disabilities (SLD). Treatment and intervention options will differ based on the diagnosis. Read the article
Understand the pros and cons of giving kids' learning struggles a "label". It's a complicated consideration of perceptions, self-esteem, and making sure they receive the appropriate services. Read the article
Parents see a side of their child that the rest of the world never does. If you are concerned that your child might need additional school support, use this Mindprint observation checklist as a starting to point to understand the root cause of your child's difficulties. It will help you to discuss your concerns with the teacher, child study team, or doctor if you decide you need to take the next step. Read the article
This list from College Choice ranks the best schools for students with ADHD, Autism, or other learning disabilities. Read the article
This one page summary from the International Dyslexia Association provides an excellent overview of dyslexia including prevalence, signs, and supports. Read the article
This open letter from the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) clarifies the organization's interpretation of the research on the importance of specific methods for teaching reading to all children, especially those with dyslexia. Parents concerned about their children's reading fluency should understand how their child is being taught reading and if this method is endorsed by IDA. Read the article
This very straight-forward advice from the professionals at Child Mind Institute provides direction on when a child should be evaluated for a learning difference. Read the article
This lengthy 2009 paper from the American Academy of Pediatrics goes into detail about the diagnosis, prevalence and potential treatments for children with dyslexia. The emphasis is on early identification and intervention and highlighting therapies that have no proven efficacy (e.g. vision therapy). Read the article
In January 2016 the Justice Department released new guidelines around testing and accommodations for students with learning disabilities. This page from the non-profit Dyslexic Advantage highlights many of the most important considerations for school-aged children. Read the article
This article explores the strengths and struggles of children who have a dyslexia diagnosis. It offers encouragement that children with dyslexia might be pre-disposed to other, innate talents which parents will want to nurture and cultivate. However, it also cautions about the importance of early identification and intervention for students who might have a reading disorder. Read the article
Sensory processing issues relate to a child's senses feeling over-stimulated by their surroundings. Sensory processing issues can often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed because they can co-exist with or have behaviors that can be confused with ADHD, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, and behavior problems. However, sensory processing issues are distinct and a struggling child will be best supported when the symptoms are properly identified and adults provide the appropriate supports. This article from Child Mind Institute presents the most common behaviors associated with sensory processing and the best approaches parents can take to help their children cope. Read the article
Despite the prevalence of dyslexia among students, estimated as high as one in five students, school districts vary greatly on their criteria for giving students an IEP that will meet their very specific learning needs. This Mind/Shift articles explores the challenges families face to get the right services and accommodations for their children. Read the article
If your child has a diagnosed learning or attention issue, this article provides a great starting point to decide on a clinician and treatment plan. Read the article
These wonderful stories from siblings of special needs children guides parents to understand and support their unique needs as well. Read the article
This important post from Child Mind Institute reminds parents that it is just as important that your child be able to discuss his or her learning disability as it is for your child to get the appropriate services. Read the article
This Motherlode blog in the New York Times falls in the category of things "I wish someone had told me." So we pass it on to parents of a child with a learning disability as anecdotal advice from one parent to another. Read the article
According to this article, as many as 14% of children who are gifted also may struggle with a learning disability. These students are often misunderstood and underperform in school relative to their potential. Parents and teachers need to follow up if they suspect they have a student who fits in double-label. Read the article
This heartfelt blog post is from a mom who has experienced the benefits of early intervention. Delays can become evident at any age, so whether you have an infant, toddler, or school-aged child this mom's experience is consistent with the research that says early intervention can make an enormous difference. Read the article
This article written by two physicians describes signs of dyslexia often overlooked in intellectually gifted children. The authors provide very specific concerns for parents to look for if they suspect an undiagnosed reading struggle. Read the article
This article explores how children with autism, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities use long-term memory to compensate for some of their weaknesses. For those who have strong memory, the article provides insight into how to use this strength in treatment. Read the article
This helpful article includes interviews with three child psychologists about their observations on anxiety in children with learning disabilities. The psychologists provide insight into how children perceive their "differences" and common age-dependent responses that parents should look out for. Read the article
This article looks at one autism expert’s warning that doctors are failing to diagnosis a significant number of high-functioning girls, given that some of the traits of autism manifest differently by gender. As with all medical conditions, delayed identification can have serious long-term consequences on social and emotional well being. Read the article
This is a great read if you are the parent of a special needs child, or a friend to a parent of one. This well-written and heartfelt blog speaks to the larger issues families deal with in the process of raising their children. Read the article
Although most children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by the time they enter pre-school, some children with the disorder are still not diagnosed at this age. This article describes some of the behaviors in a child that has not yet been identified. If a parent or educator suspects a child might have autism they should immediately ask for an evaluation given the known importance of early intervention on long-term outcomes. Read the article
This progress checker from a UK non-profit can be a helpful way to see if your child's communication development is following a typical progression. If you have lingering concerns after reading this information, we recommend you consult your pediatrician or school. Read the article
This personal account from one mother whose son has been diagnosed as on the Autism spectrum is a testament to parental determination. The post, which appeared in The Educated Mom blog, gives a detailed account of the efforts the parent made for an accurate diagnosis, support, and educational opportunities. Read the article
This New Yorker article describes very interesting research on the correlation of brain development and reading among children in grades K-3. The research suggests there might be early intervention opportunities for students that might be predisposed to dyslexia and the importance of addressing problems with struggling readers as early as possible. Read the article
This article was written to address the specific concerns of students with ADHD or learning disabilities as they prepare for standardized college admissions test. It addresses how to plan in advance and which test may be preferable and why. Read the article
It’s hard to decide on the right term to use when talking about uniqueness in a child’s learning: disorder, disability or difference. This blog is a simple, but specific, rundown on the terms and their definitions and is written by someone who is both a parent and a lawyer. Read the article
This is a fantastic primer that lists the professionals associated with conducting educational assessments and helps parents understand their ability to make a diagnosis. For example, the author reminds parents, “…many of these professionals can suspect LD and/or ADHD but all are not licensed, or have the needed certifications to diagnose the disorders.” Read the article
This post on Edudemic is a great resource with links to help better understand dyslexia. Given the prevalence of learning disabilities, all of us might benefit from a better understanding. Read the article
This site links to a trailer for a documentary on twice exceptional students, gifted or highly gifted individuals with learning disabilities. These students have tremendous abilities but also great obstacles to realizing their potential. Read the article
This is a useful post on information processing disorders, typically categorized as either visual or auditory in nature. The article notes that information processing disorders may not in and of themselves be categorized as learning disabilities but are often at the root of learning difficulties. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog features the story of a mother who spent many months seeking a solution for her bright son’s troubles. Only through the complicated process of seeking specific help and advice did she find a psychologist who confirmed her son was dyslexic. If the process of psycho-educational testing and cognitive assessments confuses you, this post may be of particular interest. Read the article
Children with learning differences may welcome summer as a break from the pressures of the school year, as all kids do, but they, even more than others, may benefit from keeping up with their studies. In this Educated Mom post, we get summer advice from a teacher who works primarily with children who have learning differences. Read the article
The National Center for Learning Disabilities provides these common signs of a potential math disability in early elementary-aged children. Read the article
This is a first person success story of an academically gifted high school senior who also has dyslexia, dysgraphia (writing disorder) and dyscalculia (math disorder). Although her path was not always easy, she is an Anne Ford Scholar and wants to pay-it-forward by helping other children in her situation meet their full potential. Read the article
This article from the International Dyslexia Association provides specific signs that a child may have a reading problem and explains the importance of parents taking early action. Read the article
This article from the Scientific Learning blog presents four common misconceptions about learning disabilities and puts the correct answers in understandable terms. Read the article
Dysgraphia is the lesser known learning disability often found in children with dyslexia. It involving difficulties in forming written letters and sometimes spelling. This blog post from Reading Rockets was written by the International Dyslexia Association to provide an introductory understanding of the disorder. Read the article
A parent shares the personal experience of hearing from a teacher that her child may have a learning difference. The author provides some helpful suggestions about how to process the information and begin to navigate evaluations and special education. Read the article
This post, from a lawyer with a learning disability, gives sound advice those for those who may feel misunderstood or criticized because of their learning differences. His personal account is followed by a short list of tips to put into practice. Read the article
This blog from The New York Times provides hope for dyslexic students, explaining how more frequent reading at early ages can lead to improved success, debunking the idea that the brain is "hard-writed" and can't be changed through expereince. Read the article
This post from the non-profit, Great Schools, provides advice for parents of children with learning differences in regards to the new Common Core State Standards. Read the article
This article provides a potentially great option for parents of children with dyslexia. A new study shows that customizing e-readers so they display very few words per line can show a measurable improvement in reading comprehension and speed for those with dyslexia. Read the article
This article from Smart Kids with LD is a good guide for parents who want to understand their legal rights and properly advocate for their child's best interests. Read the article
This article explains how states are slowly moving beyond measuring compliance to measuring improvement in outcomes for students who qualify for special services. Read the article
This article discusses the option of tinted lenses for some students with dyslexia. The lenses are expensive and are not covered by insurance. Read the article
This blog provides an excellent explanation of the increased demands for reading in 3rd and 4th grade. The author uses this data to advocate for early intervention for students who show weaknesses. Read the article
This press release from MIT explains cutting edge research on early diagnosis of Dyslexia. It provides a concise explanation of the early skills that could signal later difficulties. Read the article
This is an intriguing article that looks at the studied differences in male and female brains. Using the basis that symptoms for ADHD present differently because of these differences, the author looked into if the same might be true for children with dyslexia. Read the article
The following is one in a series of articles about controversial therapies from the non-profit National Center for Learning Disabilities. This review of food and nutrition therapies to treat ADHD and other learning differences suggests there is no scientific evidence proving nutritional therapies will remedy those issues. Read the article
This personal post from a mother of a child with learning differences gives a window into the impact it can have on the relationship between husband and wife. She provides her personal tips on how to keep the family intact through what can be a difficult period. Read the article
Parents who know or suspect their child has a reading problem will appreciate this first person account written by Ben Foss, an entrepreneur and founder of Headstrong Nation, a not-for-profit organization serving the dyslexic community. Foss, who is dyslexic, invented the Intel Reader, a mobile device that takes photos of text and recites it out loud. Read the article
This NY Times Op-Ed is written by a dyslexic author who did not read fluently until age 13. Still, the writer went onto Yale, medical school and much success. The piece highlights research linking specific cognitive strengths with dyslexia. Read the article
This article explains how significant struggles in learning a foreign language may be symptomatic of an otherwise undiagnosed learning difference in Reading, Writing or Listening. The article also highlights techniques to help cope with some of the issues that arise. Read the article
This article is a good primer on the key misconceptions about dyslexia. The explanations are quite good and succinct and include information about how the symptoms present in older children who have not yet been diagnosed. Read the article
Parents concerned with a child's writing difficulties may find this Q&A from the National Center for Learning Disabilities helpful. Read the article
The twice exceptional student, increasingly identified as "2e" is a student who displays both giftedness and a learning difference. This article provides advice for teachers, but parents may find it useful as well. Read the article
This post is written by a researcher and mother whose daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia in fourth grade. The self-esteem boosting conversation tips she shares come from a unique understanding: the mother is dyslexic, too. The post is also an important reminder that an abrupt change in a child's behavior could be an indicator of problems in school. Read the article
This article looks at a new study published in Science Magazine indicating that children with one learning disability are more likely to have a second disability that may be undiagnosed. Read the article
This article from the National Center for Learning Disabilities tackles the question of whether movement therapy can improve attention in kids with ADHD, Autism and other learning differences. After doing their own research, they believe the answer is no. Read the article
The Washington Post looks at the ongoing debate over eliminating the teaching of cursive handwriting in schools. Parents may be interested to hear the argument praising cursive's benefits for some dyslexic students. Read the article
This is a good article for parents who want to determine if their child has a learning difference. As the author states, "The key to identifying LD is therefore to identify areas of strength and weakness.. hone in on the very specific nature of the struggle, so that timely decisions can be made about carefully targeted intervention and support." Read the article
This is an inspiring story of parents of dyslexic children in New Jersey who formed Decoding New Jersey, which now has groups in other states and advocates for awareness and change in both policy and education. Read the article
If you are considering having your child evaluated for a learning difference this is a must-read article about why and how to include your child in the process from the Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities website. Read the article
This brief note from Education Week discusses the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) updated set of guidelines or "best practices" in identifying students with learning disabilities. Read the article
This article looks at how children can benefit from understanding more about their learning disabilities. Demystification, the author says, can improve the child's confidence and ability to help get what they need to succeed. Read the article
This is an important article for all families, although it was written to specifically address the problems students with learning disabilities experience in college. Many of the strategies might be best implemented before any child heads off to college, including the ability to advocate for oneself. Read the article
This is an inspiring article from the National Center for Learning Disabilities on celebrities who channeled their learning difference into long-term success. Read the article
This article outlines the differences between the SAT and ACT and helps readers determine which test may be the best fit for particular students. Read the article
This is a good article on the effectiveness of brain training from a leading non-profit, National Center for Learning Disabilities. We link directly to page two because it provides a good summary table of seven potential benefits of these programs as well as concerns or downsides.
Read the articleThis article written by a reading specialist emphasizes the importance of identifying learning differences early. The author also explains the Response to Intervention (RTI) program, which is intended to screen for such differences before children slip behind or become discouraged. Read the article
New research points to the genetic components of dyslexia. Of note to some parents may be the high percent of students who are not diagnosed with dyslexia until high school. Read the article
This post, from the National Center for Learning Disabilities, explains in understandable terms the math learning disability of dyscalculia and how it manifests in early elementary school students. Parents who believe their first, second, or third grader shows signs of these specific struggles may need to be proactive with educators since dyscalculia is generally far less understood (and thus less identified) than reading disabilities like dyslexia. Read the article
University of Virginia professor Daniel Willingham, explains the misconceptions surrounding Harvard professor Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences, why they are misunderstood, and why they offer limited practical application for educators. Read the article
Edutopia makes a case for social-emotional education in schools. It provides five reasons against it and the counter-argument in favor. Read the article
Understand the Semmelweis Reflex, or the “the reflex-like tendency to reject new evidence or new knowledge because it contradicts established norms, beliefs or paradigms.” Why does it matter? Myths like left- and right-brain thinking, learning styles, and that we only use 10% of our brains are not only wrong but potentially very dangerous. Read the article
Learn how the myth of right- vs left-brained developed and why that simplified view of brain functioning is misleading. Read the article
This interview with author Susan Cain who has become the voice for dispelling myths about introverts and how to support introverted students in learning environments. If you are a teacher or have an introverted child, you will find her insight quite helpful. Read the article
Mindprint's CEO explains why cognitive tests can be the most efficient way to help teachers personalize learning. Read the article
This Fortune article explores the flaws of the most popular personality test, most specifically that it lacks the scientific reliability so that it does not give a true picture of preferences. Read the article
The Myers-Briggs personality assessment is prevalent in the business and career evaluation community. This article disputes the entire validity of the test, discrediting any scientific rationale for using it. Mindprint considers the Myers-Briggs similar to the the theory of learning styles: interesting perhaps but not at all reliable or useful. Read the article
This article from neurologist and teacher Dr. Judy Willis debunks three common neuromyths. Neuromyths are beliefs purportedly based on neuroscience that, while sounding plausible, are incorrect. Neuromyths include false beliefs that students are left or right brained, that students can be classified by learning style, or that we only use 10% of our brains. They lead to time and money invested in the wrong teaching approaches. Read the article
This blog points to scientific research to debunk the myth that students have "learning styles". The author encourages the use of multiple modes of teaching to keep all learners interested and engaged. Read the article
While there is no scientific backing for the idea of "learning styles", this graphic outlines strategies that may be of use. Read the article
Instead of looking at "learning styles" this post looks at what is described as a more scientifically proven distinction among learners: working memory. Strategies to reduce distractions and intrusive thoughts on the memory, can free it for cognitive processes and the acquisition of new material. Read the article
This blog from the Washington Post includes a post from well-known professor and author Daniel Willingham. He says, "Researchers have been conducting experiments on learning styles for 50 years. They've been tested with the sorts of materials that kids encounter in schools. They've been tested with kids diagnosed with a learning disability. There just doesn't seem to be much evidence that kids learn in fundamentally different ways." Read the article
The stress of living in poverty can have long-term impact on children’s brain development, most particularly executive functions, without intervention. Please contact Mindprint if you'd like to learn more about how we can help you identify which students are struggling the most and how best to support them. Read the article
Mindprint explores whether or not the conventional wisdom about the need for a "united front" in parenting is still true in the 21st century. Read the article
Psychologist Dr. Susan Newman provides the research behind the stereotypes of only and first children. She provides 8 suggestions for what parents can proactively do to avoid the negative stereotype traps and nurture the advantages of being first or only. Read the article
Brainpickings explores the history of intelligence testing, including the cultural implications and biases and the role of genetics. This is an overview of what one will find in a book called The Gene. Read the article
The conventional wisdom of simply letting siblings work out their differences on their own might not always be the best course of action, especially when kids have different personality types. Read the article
Child Mind Institute explains the social reasons why girls apologize more than boys and the impact it can have on others' perceptions of them, and, over time, their own self-esteem. The article provides some potential remedies as well. Read the article
Child Mind Institute provides straight-forward guidance for how to maintain a healthy relationship with your teenager. Read the article
Parenting styles in Denmark are believed to contribute to Danish students consistently ranking as the "happiest students in the world." The article attributes their happiness, at least in part, to empathy being taught in schools and significantly reinforced in homes. Read the article
This letter from a mom, who also happens to be a licensed social worker and former principal, offers perspective on how to develop our children's understanding of race, social equity and empathy. Read the article
This heartfelt Ed Mom blog is about a thirteen year old's rite of passage and why sometimes the most challenging kids turn into the most interesting adults. Read the article
This Harvard Business School article highlights the impacts a working mother has on the future career choices and attitudes of daughters and sons. The outcomes are primarily positive but differ by gender. Read the article
This article explores the potential danger of being an authentic perfection, including the real potential for self-harm. The article warns that perfectionism can be passed on to children and gives specific advice to help parents avoid instilling perfectionism tendencies in their children. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog explores the stereotype of first-borns having higher academic achievement and offers strategies to counter-act any effects of birth order. Read the article
This Psychology Today article explores the long-held beliefs about the effects of birth order on personality type and academic achievement. New research shows that those effects might not persist into adulthood, with the exception of slight effects on verbal reasoning. Most importantly, the author warns against using stereotypes and labels for any reason. Read the article
Home should always be a child's safe place, but unfortunately sibling differences can sometimes make one child stand out in a bad way more than others. This blog from Psychology Today provides advice for parents to temper the negative feedback to bring out the goodness in every child. Read the article
This Ed Mom blog offers a brief, personal experience that was lifechanging for this mom's parenting. It's worth the quick read. Read the article
This article can be an important reminder to parents about modeling behavior for their children. If parents want children to have happy and successful careers, parents should aim to do the same for themselves. Read the article
These wonderful stories from siblings of special needs children guides parents to understand and support their unique needs as well. Read the article
This brief post from the Washington Post explains why parents should confront sibling rivalries early and suggests ways to foster healthy sibling relationships. Read the article
This article from Science Daily cites new research that parents' beliefs in their children's academic ability, regardless of whether or not accurate, influences eventual outcomes. The researcher advises parents to 'focus on recognizing the strengths of each of their children and be careful about vocally making comparisons in front of them.' Read the article
Our experts give an overview of heredity and intelligence and advice on how to approach differences and similarities in your children's learning. Read the article
This article from Yahoo! Health explores the differences among gifted intelligence, genius, and creative genius. The author discusses the roles of heredity, education and environment. There are no definitive conclusions, but many people may find it a fascinating topic and those with gifted children may find it helpful in understanding their child's potential. Read the article
This blog interview explores the stereotypes of birth order, the reasons why there may be some truth to them, and provides some suggestions on how parents might try to help children avoid falling into the negative stereotypes. Fortunately, the author is quick to note that these are generalities and a lot depends on specific family dynamics and personalities. Read the article
This is a great read if you are the parent of a special needs child, or a friend to a parent of one. This well-written and heartfelt blog speaks to the larger issues families deal with in the process of raising their children. Read the article
This post looks at the relationship between siblings in terms of teasing, and in the most extreme cases, bullying. Parents may dismiss the sibling relationship as harmless, but research shows aggressive sibling behavior can chip away at self-esteem and should not be ignored. Read the article
While we all know we should eat dinner as a family, this post by a professor at Harvard Medical School explains the scientific rationale. Not only does it boost vocabulary and lead to better nutrition, but it eating dinner together also lowers the rate of high-risk behaviors among teens. Read the article
Parenting experts generally agree there are four basic parenting styles. The research supports a correlation between parenting style and children's long-term academic and emotional well-being. This article from non-profit GreatSchools defines these styles and gives parents some guidance on how to adjust their parenting style to address difficult situations. Read the article
This post looks at a new study in Journal of Cognition and Development that examined how siblings teach one another in their home environments. The opportunity for both spontaneous and deliberate teaching moments can have a big influence on development. Read the article
This post from the nonprofit organization Understood.org gives several simple but specific strategies parents can implement to help build strong relationships among siblings. Knowing when to facilitate interaction and when to step aside is a fine art, and parents may find some of these suggestions useful. Read the article
This post, written by two British doctoral students, looks at the role genes play in children’s academic success. They focus on gene-environment correlation, and posit, “Genes are important, not just in educational achievement or intelligence, but in a whole raft of other traits which contribute to how easy and enjoyable children find learning.” Read the article
Ever wish your children told you more about their days at school? This Educated Mom blog looks at ways to allow children more time for reflection and naturally share their experiences and thoughts about their lives. If you don’t ask, they may just tell you, as long as they think you are listening. Read the article
Baby Boomers are the new Grandparents, and are doing it in their their typically large numbers and noteworthy attitudes. What does it mean when Grandma wants to listen to the Beatles instead of reading Goodnight Moon? This Educated Mom blog looks at the generational shift in grandparenting and how the Baby Boomers rock. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog is a humorous take on the road tip, something all families may endure from time to time. While the journey may increase a child’s sense of geography, history, and culture, a mother can never pack enough snacks. Read the article
This is an intriguing article that looks at the studied differences in male and female brains. Using the basis that symptoms for ADHD present differently because of these differences, the author looked into if the same might be true for children with dyslexia. Read the article
Parents may be surprised to learn that bullying among siblings can have equal if not greater mental health impacts than bullying among peers. Read the article
This personal post from a mother of a child with learning differences gives a window into the impact it can have on the relationship between husband and wife. She provides her personal tips on how to keep the family intact through what can be a difficult period. Read the article
This intriguing article in The Atlantic looks at evidence that asserts first children are smarter than their siblings. To find out why, the author looks at seven theories. Read the article
New research points to the genetic components of dyslexia. Of note to some parents may be the high percent of students who are not diagnosed with dyslexia until high school. Read the article
This New York Times post highlights a common challenge of parenting children with different strengths and needs. The author turns to experts who provide insightful advice for a long-range method of cultivating the passions and confidence of each child. Read the article
“Schools reward students who consistently do what they are told— and life rewards people who shake things up.” This article explores why schools should be focused on flexible thinking if they want to be ensure college and career readiness. Read the article
This Business Insider article provides data on career success of high school valedictorians. While they are often successful, they tend not to be the most successful. The author provides some reasons why this might be the case. Read the article
This data provides context on why we some of our most talented students might not be the best students. Read the article
Interviews with two specialists in college admissions and teen stress are at the core of this blog. It empathizes with parents who push for the Ivies. Then in provides a healthier approach to re-frame the college admissions process. Read the article
Great Schools gives statistics on the record number of students dropping out of college. The top reasons include not being academically or emotionally prepared, cost, and not picking a good fit college. Read the article
The Washington Post reports on Making Caring Common, a project of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The project aims to change the college admissions process at elite schools to alleviate stress and put more emphasis on social and emotional skills. Read the article
For those struggling with what they want to do with their lives, this article provides practical advice on identifying what is important to you. It also offers encouragement on how to stick with it. Read the article
US News provides data on the increasing prevalence of anxiety and depression in college students. It offers cautionary advice for parents and their teens to assure they receive the services they need when the go to college. Read the article
This article provides great advice to really get to know your needs and desires before embarking on the college search process, whether or not you choose their recommended product. Read the article
This Atlantic article addresses how foreign language instruction is falling to the wayside in schools, similar to music and arts education. And similar music to arts education, there may be learning and career benefits of dual-language fluency as explained by the language advocates in this article. Read the article
This EdMom blog offers parents long-term perspective on the importance of college admissions goals versus long-term career choices. Given the nature of college admissions process, reading this might alleviate some of the pressure both parents and students feel to have the perfect application. Read the article
This CNBC article addresses the pros and cons of choosing a college outside of the United States and takes into consider financial, social and emotional considerations. Read the article
This Washington Post opinion page explores the rising grade inflation at colleges and the ambiguity it creates around what students know. It also implies there is no reason to believe it will recede. Read the article
This 32 page report from the Harvard Graduate School of Education addresses the current pressures for academic achievement, the high levels of stress, corresponding concerns about behaviors, and recommendations for colleges to take a proactive role in changing the current culture. Read the article
This blog provides a summary of the traditional guidance of when students should tackle specific college planning tasks (college visits, standardized test prep, etc.) and practical reasons to consider alternative timeframes. We emphasize that this is a personal blog that provides one mother's contradictory opinion. However, it prompts considerations other than the single-minded goal of getting into the best possible college. Read the article
This "advice column" offers some healthy perspective for parents on how to identify what type of college might be best-suited for their children and how to coach children through the stressful admissions process. Read the article
This blog discusses a new program aimed at helping high school and college students to discover their passions and life goals. We know that people are most successful in careers for which they have true passion. Read the article
This interview with author of the book ,The ADHD Guide to Career Success, explores the benefits of ADHD in the workplace. However, it emphasizes the importance of choosing an environment that will be most suitable for the strengths and weaknesses associated with ADHD. Read the article
This blog post provides a simple starting point to help students begin thinking and learning about career possibilities. While we never encourage students to over-plan their futures, having a sense of what you might ultimately want to do in life can be extraordinarily helpful when deciding on a college, summer job or whether or not to take specific classes. Read the article
This US News article, targeted at international students interested in US Ivy League schools, provides universally good advice for all students. The overriding message is to pick a school that is best aligned with your interests, career goals, and personal needs because it is more likely to help you reach your ultimate career goals. While prestige-conscious students (and parents) might not fully believe it, this advice is very sound. Read the article
While it's not uncommon for high performers to say "I work too hard" as their biggest weakness during a job interview, this article explains why it might be a far bigger weakness than they realize. And while working too hard might lead to great performance reviews in an entry level job, it could be harmful for long-term career success. Read the article
This article can be an important reminder to parents about modeling behavior for their children. If parents want children to have happy and successful careers, parents should aim to do the same for themselves. Read the article
Regardless of how much parents might want their children to go to college, for some students it might not be the best next step after high school. This post from the New York Times' Motherlode might be helpful for parents struggling with this situation. Read the article
This article has good, straight-forward and concise advice on how high school students should approach the college application process. It was written by the former CEO of the ACT. Read the article
This edutopia article provides advice from an experienced college counselor identifying key skills that lead to career success. Adults can easily begin to cultivate these skills as early as kindergarten. Read the article
This blog from mom-teacher-writer Jessica Lahey provides valuable advice to parents about the importance of students owning the college admissions process themselves. She suggests that the best role for parents is in the background. Read the article
This article is an excerpt of a book from a former Dean of Students at Stanford who notes the negative effects of overparenting in her worldclass students and in her own Palo Alto community. The book is intended to give parents the courage to break the destructive cycle. Read the article
This blog on KIPP schools' website identifies ten colleges that provide special programs to help ease the transition for low income students to college. Many colleges have similar programs for students with specific needs, and students may want to seriously factor such a program into their college selection process. Read the article
The advice in this article in Harvard Business Review is implicitly targeted at affluent parents and their high potential offspring. For this specific demographic, the advice is quite straight-forward and helpful. Read the article
Students anxious about which college they choose may feel better reading this NPR article and learning that the prestige of the institution seems to have little correlation to feeling engaged and thriving in all aspects of their lives down the road. Read the article
Simple advice on how to help (or not) your children select the best college for them, espcially after the letters have arrived. Read the article
This edutopia article provides useful financial planning and career guidance links for high school graduates preparing for college. Read the article
This article in US NEWS looks at a study that shows what happened in college matters more than the prestige of the school when it comes to the happiness of graduates. While many focus on the selectivity of a school when considering its value, this sheds new light on the satisfaction young people experience later on. Read the article
Wondering what to expect from the new SAT? Great Schools looks at college admissions tests, how they have changed over time, and how it could impact your student. Read the article
This article in EdSurge looks at the relationship between those who study a foreign language and the skills required for coding, a profession, that is predicted to be in ever growing demand. The thinking is that not only will foreign languages prepare students for a global marketplace, but that learning a second language also prepares students to more easily learn programming languages. Read the article
This article cites a 2012 State of College Admission Report that says extracurricular activities rank 11th on the lists of items admissions counselors consider important. Instead of spreading our children too thin with a heavy load of activities for the sake of resume building, the article suggests letting children concentrate on a few. Read the article
This is an excellent article for parents, giving one mother’s advice on how to shepherd a child through the famously difficult junior year of high school. Although the focus is on 11th grade, the strategies might be best implemented if parents consider the points far earlier, even before their children enter high school. Read the article
This post in Scientific America is written by Scott Barry Kaufman, Director of The Imagination Institute in the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Kaufman suggests that the new SAT is still only a measure of, “Convergent thinking: the ability to arrive at the single best answer deemed correct by a select committee.” And we’d do better assessing “Divergent thinking: the ability to generate multiple possibilities, ideas, and solutions to a problem.” Read the article
This post gives straight facts about when to take the SAT and the ACT and how often. While every family should make choices based on their individual situations, parents seeking one strategy for the daunting schedule of test taking might find this month-by-month breakdown a useful reference. Read the article
Brenda Bernstein is known as the essay expert, and in this Educated Mom blog, we hear a few pointers. From college essays to LinkedIn profiles, Bernstein hones in on how writers can tap into their abilities to reflect on and relate their best selves. Read the article
This is a must-read post in The Educated Mom for any student considering an internship. Featured is a woman who landed a competitive placement after working hard at an internship and distinguishing herself among her peers. Read the article
This brief article explains why parents should consider job shadowing for a strong math and science student who may not otherwise have exposure to the types of careers utilizing those skills. Read the article
This NPR story explains the results of a new study showing that high school grades are a better predictor of college success than standardized test scores. The College Board announced in March 2014 that the test format would change in 2016 to address this issue. Read the article
This post offers some pragmatic advice for how to properly approach the situation, emphasizing the commitment that is made when one opts for early decision. Read the article
This article, originally published in The Mash, was written by and intended for teens. It includes some straightforward advice for students beginning their college visits. Read the article
This OpEd from the New York Times highlights the line some applicants cross in an attempt to distinguish themselves from others, mistaking TMI for good essay-writing. Read the article
This short blog advises students to discover what they love and find success doing it. Instead of focusing on getting A's, the author says, students should take risks. Read the article
This article in the NY Times profiles Enstitue, a two year program created to be an alternative to college for a select group of talented students interested in learning, "information technology, computer programming and app building via on-the-job experience." Read the article
This blog from Education Week looks at a study that says grit, sometimes called "stick-to-it-ness" was, "nearly as predictive as ACT scores to the college success of young black men who attend mostly white universities." Read the article
This useful site offered by the White House is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s College Affordability and Transparency Center and is designed to help parents and students learn more about the affordability and value of specific colleges. Read the article
This is an important article for all families, although it was written to specifically address the problems students with learning disabilities experience in college. Many of the strategies might be best implemented before any child heads off to college, including the ability to advocate for oneself. Read the article
This article looks at figures showing that although applications at most private colleges continue to increase, enrollment is actually in a decline. Read the article
This post on the Huffington Post is written by the head of a tutoring service focused on the New York City region. The author argues that the pSAT is losing its relevance in light of the changing landscape of standardized tests. Read the article
This blog post will have particular resonance with parents of bright children who struggle with education and finding their way in life. Written by a senior in high school, the post originally appeared in Forbes. Read the article
What is the most important innovation in education technology in the past 200 years? According to MIT, it's the delivery of education via the internet, particularly through the use of MOOC's. At the rapid rate of adoption, the world of higher education could be quite different by the time our kids enter college. Read the article
Is it really a more competitive environment in which to get into college? This article from The Atlantic looks at the specifics beyond the assumptions. Read the article
Mindprint staff highlights their favorite educational apps and games, complete with benefits, considerations, and links to detailed reviews. Read the article
This edutopia blog from Dr. Judy Wills highlights the importance of having specific goals when choosing ed tech products and the features to look for to have a product meet those goals. Mindprint's philosophy and evaluation criteria is very consistent with these views. Read the article
In this blog, the Mindprint team offers suggestions on how to make family game nights enjoyable for a broad range of ages, interests and abilities. Read the article
This post from a pediatrician discusses the downside of video games, particularly for children with known attention weaknesses. Read the article
This is a great article looking at how board games, unlike their electronic counterparts, provide unique social, academic and physical benefits. Read the article
This article emphasizes the effectiveness of using specific types of games in the classroom. The recommendations are equally useful to parents. Read the article
This blog in The Atlantic not only indicates that playing games strengthens executive function, but it also includes the recommendations for games from a psychologist who uses them with patients to better understand their needs. Read the article
You may be familiar with the colorful and artfully created eeBoo games and products, but this Educated Mom post looks at the creators of the boutique brand. With a special focus on the game, Never Forget a Face, this post sheds new light on the special niche in children’s toys and products and the inspiration behind the concepts and artwork. Read the article
Mindprint’s Nancy Weinstein provides her top picks for board games in this fun Educated Mom post. As someone who has reviewed and analyzed hundreds of games for their cognitive and emotional merits, Nancy is an expert in the field and offers some off-the-beaten-path suggestions to add to your family’s game shelf. Read the article
You may hear a lot about “gaming”, but do you know what it is or how it relates to the classroom? This Educated Mom blog gives you the rules of the game. Read the article
This article provides some research backing the educational benefit of games for enhancing focus and effort in learning. However, the article cautions, "...it's a little disingenuous to say that games are good for kids...Like all forms of media it depends on the particular games and how they are used." Read the article
How frequently do teachers use games and gaming in the classroom? This article from the nonprofit, Games and Learning, provides detailed results from a survey of 700 teachers on their usage and efficacy, especially in reaching low-performing students. Read the article
This blog post provides a good explanation of what is meant by educators when they speak of game-based learning and gamification. Read the article
If your child is playing online games in the classroom, this article may be of interest. While the story features the pros and cons of online educational games, it does have a potential positive bias, coming from a technology journal. Read the article
This blog discusses the gender gap in spatial reasoning ability which is believed to translate into the gender gap we see in science, engineering and math professions. The author speculates that because boys spend their leisure time playing video games, they increase their spatial reasoning skills. Read the article
This blog post is the "CliffsNotes" version of a lengthy research report on the use of digital technology to inspire artistic creativity. It may help dispel some skepticism about the convergence of art and technology. Read the article
While this article does not provide the counter-argument, this is one teacher's excellent summary of the benefits of online educational games. Read the article
This article from Edutopia provides a good briefing on some gaming terms and the use of "gamification" or incorporating elements of games, such as rewards and competition, into the workplace and classroom. Read the article
Parents of girls may be surprised to learn that 47% of gamers are girls. This blog post suggests that the qualities that draw girls to such games can be used to attract them to science and math, especially the technique of showing how content relates to the real world. Read the article
This blog looks at a recent interview with the co-authors of Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing. It's a must read for parents interested in how to instill a healthy sense of risk-taking in their children. Read the article
This Mind/Shift blog looks at how teachers use technology in the classroom and how iPads and games might be best utilized for deeper learning. Read the article
This well-researched article from The Atlantic is an expansive and interesting look at the wave of touch-screen games for kids, and how parents, children, developers and experts are responding. Read the article
This article looks at Bill Gate's initiative to move classrooms into "game-based" learning environments, including his foundation's work with The Center for Game Science. Read the article
This Business Insider article provides data on career success of high school valedictorians. While they are often successful, they tend not to be the most successful. The author provides some reasons why this might be the case. Read the article
This data provides context on why we some of our most talented students might not be the best students. Read the article
Read this interesting research on 6th graders from affluent families. It shows that parents who emphasize achievement over kindness have children with higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower self-esteem. Importantly, these children did not have higher achievement than peers whose parents emphasized kindness. Read the article
iNACOL addresses the pitfalls of assigning students letter grades, whether or not the students are successful on these measures. They propose a new system of grading with an emphasis on constructive feedback to foster improvement. Read the article
A school counselor addresses the excessive stress of students in affluent communities and how parents can help their motivated students develop perspective and coping mechanisms. Read the article
Mind/Shift explores how receiving grades interferes with students' intrinsic motivation. Some teachers are trying to change their evaluation approaches to keep students wanting to learn rather than just wanting to succeed. Read the article
The Washington Post reports on Making Caring Common, a project of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The project aims to change the college admissions process at elite schools to alleviate stress and put more emphasis on social and emotional skills. Read the article
High school teacher Oskar Cymmerman talks about his new book for teens, How to Crush School. It shows teens how to work smarter in school based on principles of learning science. Read the article
This brief article explains that there is no correlation between chess and academic performance. However, the author still extols the virtues of playing chess for the enjoyment and thinking skills. Read the article
This Washington Post opinion page explores the rising grade inflation at colleges and the ambiguity it creates around what students know. It also implies there is no reason to believe it will recede. Read the article
This 32 page report from the Harvard Graduate School of Education addresses the current pressures for academic achievement, the high levels of stress, corresponding concerns about behaviors, and recommendations for colleges to take a proactive role in changing the current culture. Read the article
In this MindShift interview with author Denise Pope, the writer discusses the stress students at elite schools feel and the detrimental impact on learning and behavior. Read the article
This cover story from the American Psychological Association discusses imposter syndrome. Some high achievers struggle with the feeling that they just aren't that smart and that they must work extra hard lest they be "discovered." This article gives examples of the occurrence in PhD students and specific tactics to help higher achievers grow more accepting of themselves. Read the article
This powerful Washington Post blog crystallizes the problems of too much stress on children in affluent families and the huge negative consequences on society. Read the article
This article documents "what our intuition tells us to be true: that more engagement results in higher achievement." It also explains why and provides achievable examples to boost student engagement. Read the article
Teacher Maureen Devlin provides an effective example of a conversation between a parent and child going over a report card. Devlin introduces thoughtful questions to the conversation that help coach children to think about the process and routine by which they find their own success. Read the article
This fact sheet from the Michigan Department of Education states that the earlier parents get involved in their children’s educations the better. It notes the best kind of involvement is that which engages “parents in working directly with their children on learning activities at home.” Read the article
This post is part of a series on PBS.org that looks at what skills children learn and master during each grade. It can be a helpful framework by which to evaluate your own child’s progress, although, as with most things, the nature of your individual child and school will play a large role in your own experiences. Read the article
This is a Q&A with a woman who brought The Race to Nowhere to her community. Those who are familiar with the themes of the film, or who are concerned about the state of student burnout, may find this of particular interest. Read the article
Do you remember the cheating scandal at Harvard a few years ago? How about the stories about parents hiring tutors to write their student’s essays? This Educated Mom blog looks at cheating in the Internet age, and cites one survey in which students agreed: “It’s not cheating if everybody’s doing it.” Read the article
This blog post from The Educated Mom looks at the subject of grades and questions whether an intrinsic love of learning can still be cultivated when there is pressure to attain a particular score. While some students can keep their own inner drive, others become focused on grades at the expense of growth. Read the article
This post provides good advice to help a student handle a disappointing grade. Parents may want to share this article with students. Read the article
A recent study explains how parental involvement is a greater predictor of a child's achievement scores than the quality of the school the child attends. Read the article
Angela Duckworth, a University of Pennsylvania professor, MacArthur Fellow, and researcher on the importance of "grit" in the achievement is interviewed in this post on the Scholastic site. Read the article
This mom's post offers an interesting perspective on how and when we should motivate and encourage children to strive for better grades. Read the article
This Atlantic post discusses research from Harvard University indicating that children place greater value on achievement than kind behavior, at least in part because they believe that is what the parents and teachers in their lives value most. The implication is that if adults model their commitment to the overriding importance of behavior, children will place more value on empathy and kindness. Read the article
Perfectionism in children, and the anxiety that comes with it, is the subject of this Q&A with Thomas Greenspon provided by the Davidson Institutes for Talent Development, a school for gifted children. Precise definitions of the types of perfectionism and ways to address it make this a valuable resource for parents. Read the article
This is a short article highlighting the pros and cons of making test and assignment grades immediately available to parents. As one expert is quoted as saying, "...the line between being involved and being controlling is different for each child, since different kids pick up organization and other academic skills at different speeds." Read the article
This short blog advises students to discover what they love and find success doing it. Instead of focusing on getting A's, the author says, students should take risks. Read the article
If you're wondering how Harvard students got caught up in a cheating scandal, this is worth a read. First, we find out that the take home final for this government class said students “may not discuss the exam with others.” The exam was also open book, open note, open Internet, etc.” Whatever breakdown ensued between individual work and subsequent accusations of plagiarism and inappropriate collaboration is not only a Harvard issue; it’s one that faces an entire generation of learners. Read the article
This is an interesting piece that looks at empirical evidence showing successful athletic programs correlate with successful academic achievement in schools. The author questions the quickness of some to rely on, " stereotypes about dumb jocks, anecdotes, and painful personal memories as their proof," that the opposite is true. Read the article
This blog post, written by a Canadian teacher, argues for the abolishment of ceremonies and systems that place emphasis on extrinsic rather than intrinsic motivation. He looks at three myths about education to prove his point. Read the article
This interesting Huffington Post blog by a social scientist takes a different approach to the discussion of boys lagging behind girls in achievement, both in college admission and in language arts. The perception that academic and written interest is viewed as not being masculine, he says, is at the heart of the crisis. Read the article
The system of "tracking" students in schools may be controversial, but this article looks at a new study showing that sorting by ability raises achievement in reading and math for both low and high scoring children. Read the article
This post is written by a gifted student who believes he sacrificed learning for schooling. The cultural emphasis on success and rote memorization, he says, should be replaced by one that accepts failure as part of the road to growth. Read the article
This short article on pressure and stress looks at the philosophy and writings of well-respected psychologist Ellen Braaten. One key takeaway she says is that, "...every child should have one hour of unstructured free time for every hour of structured extracurricular activities." Read the article
While getting more sleep is every teen's dream, this article looks at the movement to begin class later in the morning to better suit the biology of adolescents and improve academic achievement. Read the article
Why do boys get lower grades than girls but score as high or higher on achievement tests? The author of this online opinion piece in The New York Times says it's because grades are based in part on behavior and non-cognitive skills. Read the article
The author of this blog points to three primary flaws in our educational system's use of grades: they are inflated, they do not increase intrinsic motivation, and they are poor communicators of progress and learning. Read the article
This NY Times blog provides a good explanation of how handwriting is key to reading development. The author provides advice on how to balance the teaching print, cursive and keyboarding. Read the article
This overview provides an excellent explanation of fine motor skill development, key milestones, skill tests and terminology. Read the article
Speaking and writing are critical academic and life skills that develop over time. Our experts provide rough benchmarks of what to expect and what steps you should consider if your child seems to be lagging behind peers. Read the article
Academic research indicates kids still need to engage in some rote memorization in order to insure long-term success and higher-level thinking. The advent of technology does not negate the need to have basic math facts and word roots at one’s fingertips. Read the article
This blog is part of a series of posts on Mindprint's The Educated Mom that help explain particular cognitive traits and how they relate to children’s experiences in school and home. This post focuses on visual motor speed, the ability to efficiently integrate gross or fine motor skills to complete a visual task. Read the article
Do you know how your child sees the world? Literally? This Educated Mom blog looks at her recent trip to the eye doctor and the discovery that her daughter sees things in a way all her own. As with other issues, parents do well to remember that how a child learns, communicates and even sees, will be unique. Read the article
This article looks at research showing the importance of developing fine motor and executive function skills in young children, particularly as they can lead to math success. Read the article
This article makes the case for the continued teaching of handwriting and spelling. The author calls on scientific evidence to explain how handwriting and spelling skills are foundational skills for reading fluency. Read the article
Dysgraphia is the lesser known learning disability often found in children with dyslexia. It involving difficulties in forming written letters and sometimes spelling. This blog post from Reading Rockets was written by the International Dyslexia Association to provide an introductory understanding of the disorder. Read the article
This learning specialist tells an intriguing story of how her time in French schools convinced her of the importance handwriting has in the development of higher-order thinking, reading, and writing skills. Read the article
This New York Times article cites the latest research showing the value of handwriting, particularly cursive, in deepening understanding and improving retention. Read the article
Learning to write in cursive is not a requirement of the new Common Core Standards, but this article in The Atlantic still finds a somewhat romanticized view of the values of longhand. Read the article
Parents concerned with a child's writing difficulties may find this Q&A from the National Center for Learning Disabilities helpful. Read the article
The Washington Post looks at the ongoing debate over eliminating the teaching of cursive handwriting in schools. Parents may be interested to hear the argument praising cursive's benefits for some dyslexic students. Read the article
The following blog post is a list of 10 key elements for effective writing. It's a useful reference for parents or students to keep on hand. Read the article
This NPR story includes interviews with researchers who explain how the physical act of writing enhances brain development around skills including comprehension, grammar and spelling. Contrary to many beliefs, there is no proof that cursive is more effective than print, but both are far more effective than typing. Read the article
This Mindprint blog explains why study groups can be very effective for some students, provided students adhere to certain guidelines for participation. Read the article
This Mindprint blog suggests the best flashcard apps along with the strategies to use them so students memorize quicker. Read the article
This Scientific American Q&A explains how background noise can affect focus and retention. The key takeaway is that students really should not be studying with the television on or in a room where others are talking. Note to readers: There are other articles in our collection that explain how soft music might be acceptable, and potentially even beneficial for some. Read the article
Understand the differences between learning and remembering, and why remembering could be the root cause of test anxiety among many capable students. Read the article
High school teacher Oskar Cymmerman talks about his new book for teens, How to Crush School. It shows teens how to work smarter in school based on principles of learning science. Read the article
For many families, nightly homework is undeniably one of the largest stressors for both parents and children. This Motherlode blog provides succinct and valuable insight on how parents should view homework. Read the article
This excellent article from PBS Parents provides advice for parents of elementary school children to develop independent homework habits that will benefit their children throughout their school years. Read the article
Hard work should be valued and praised, but no one wants to see a child always working harder and longer than peers. Our experts discuss the reasons children may take longer and what parents can do to help. Read the article
As the debate on how much homework children should have continues to rage on, this article provides actual specific, research-based evidence that correlates homework to test performance. The answer is that homework should be given regularly and take approximately one hour. Most importantly is that the child should work through the solutions independently to see any meaningful benefit. Read the article
According to the research cited in this article, there is conflicting evidence about positive (or negative) impact of music on learning and memory. The effectiveness might be personality-dependent. The research implies that parents should allow students to have background music assuming they perform well. Read the article
This post explains that while differences in IQ may be subtle, differences in learning strategies are large and profoundly significant on performance. The good news, the authors say, is that we can all incorporate learning strategies “skilled learners” put to use. These post outlines 25 such learning strategies and is a useful reference for parents and students, alike. Read the article
This Washington Post article provides very sage advice for parents of early elementary age students seeking to develop the right long-term independent study habits. Read the article
This insightful post written by a teacher identifies the value of well-designed homework. He mentions how sleep should still be prioritiezed, and cautions that effective study habits are often uninterrupted by social media. Read the article
While parents should allow children to choose and develop the study habits that are most effective, current research shows that most students will process and remember information much better if they take handwritten notes rather than type them. Read the article
This post highlights the importance of metacognition, or awareness of how you learn, in students' performance. A useful list of questions students can ask themselves about how they learn may help some cope more effectively with school work. Read the article
Written by a father who attempts to do his daughter's homework for one week after unsuccessfully lobbying her school to lighten the homework load, this piece in The Atlantic ignited debate about the appropriate balance to promote meaningful learning. No resolution is offered, but perhaps some empathy from like-minded parents. Read the article
While there is no scientific backing for the idea of "learning styles", this graphic outlines strategies that may be of use. Read the article
Setting the intention to manage one's time is a first step for anyone hoping to work effectively. This article is intended for teens with learning differences but is useful for anyone. Read the article
According to this article from Mindshift, parents may be justified if they have concerns that their children are too distracted by technology while doing homework. Although multitasking is an important life skill, the article cautions that doing so while learning new things can mean children, "...understand and remember less, and they have greater difficulty transferring their learning to new contexts." Read the article
Flipped instruction, when students watch a video of a lesson at home and do their "homework" in class in the presence of a teacher, is the subject of this blog post, which is critical of the practice in part because it fails to address differentiated learning. Read the article
This is a concise explanation of what is meant by "flipped classroom" or "flipped lesson." Parents should know that in this approach, students watch a lesson or video at home and school sessions are devoted to practice and clarification. Read the article
The "curse of expertise" is a term used to describe the inability of an expert to actually explain what they know to those who want to learn. This post looks at simple ways to break this curse, which may be particularly helpful to parents helping their children with homework, or even to those who are learning, as they seek better ways to communicate with experts and teachers. Read the article
This article from Science Daily summarizes a large study on math achievement among 5th-10th graders in Germany. While innate intelligence may influence math achievement in early years, study habits and confidence become far more important as students get older. Read the article
This post looks at the scientific explanation for the need for adequate sleep. The final paragraph provides useful tips on how to encourage healthy sleep routines, especially for busy students. Read the article
This article provides sage and specific advice on the right level of parental involvement with homework. Although parents may find it difficult to respect these guidelines, they may contribute to long term success. Read the article
This article from The Atlantic takes yet another stand on how much parental involvement is the right amount. Whatever your parenting style, providing the context to your children as to why it matters to work hard in high school is beneficial in the long run. Read the article
Yes, another article criticizing the amount of homework children are assigned. This one from the NY Times highlights the commonality of homework dread and one family's strategy to keep it from being all-consuming. Read the article
New research from Johns Hopkins and Montgomery County Public Schools shows how creating learning communities for middle school students can have a significant, positive effect on learning outcomes. Having students spend more time with a core teacher and group of peers led students to "perceive their school as positive, equitable place where teachers focused on helping all students learn" [rather than a primary focus on grades and achievement]. Read the article
This personal narrative relives a parents' decision to switch schools for their youngest child when the school could not meet their son's needs for accommodations. This is a common emotional dilemma for many parents of children with learning differences. Read the article
A small research study rates students' satisfaction with being the oldest or youngest in the class when they reached adolescence. This article can help you weigh the pros and cons of a decision. Read the article
This US News article explains why students interested in an academically rigorous curriculum might choose an IB program instead of taking AP Classes. According to the article, there are approximately 800 IB programs, with the opportunity for an IB diploma, in the US. Read the article
This blog post from the non-profit ASCD enumerates the key ingredients for successful student engagement and learning. When parents are evaluating schools they might want to evaluate whether or not the school embraces these instructional approaches. Educators can use this post as quick reminder of what strategies they want to incorporate into their classrooms. Read the article
This Mindshift post details the data-backed decline of creativity both as a population and by individuals. It infers that the existing school culture is the cause of the decline and proposes how schools can reverse the trend. Read the article
This Atlantic article explores the increasing amounts of stress reported among students at elite private high schools. The article confirms parents' suspicions that high school is indeed more stressful than when they were kids. And though it does not provide solutions, it emphasizes the importance of helping kids manage stress to avoid the negative long-term impacts of chronic stress. Read the article
This brief article in The Week magazine provides pragmatic insight into whether or not private school might be worth the expense, with reasons by specific family situation. Read the article
This article in the New Yorker debunks the myth of the advantage of red-shirting children. This popular trend has parents keeping children back so they are the oldest in the class, and presumably will have a leg up on their peers in maturity, academics and sports. While some children may have legitimate reasons for waiting an extra year before starting kindergarten, the takeaway is that red-shirting shouldn't be done for purely competitive reasons. Read the article
This mommy blogger gives the practical truth about the downsides of being at home with your children all day. A must read if you are deciding whether or not to homeschool. Read the article
This is a handy list from Great Schools featuring questions to ask during a look at a prospective school, with specific items to inquire about at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Read the article
This post looks at a survey of “unschoolers”, children who are homeschooled in a way that lets them control their educations, with no formal curriculum. The question of how these children feel about their educations, and their abilities to attend college and be career-ready is looked at in more detail in the survey results provided. Read the article
This blog post looks at a new study in American Sociological Review that seeks to explain the factors that contribute to cliques in high schools. Magnet schools, or those focused with “fewer people and less academic choice” create an environment in which students are forced, “…to mingle more with dissimilar peers.” Read the article
This Educated Mom post looks at the award-winning documentary American Promise and the subject of race and independent schools. Are students of color given opportunities to thrive in these traditionally elite and homogenous environments? As the producer of the film implied in one discussion, with the globalization and changing of the American demographic, perhaps it’s the white students who have the most to lose if we fail in this effort. Also noted is the article in the Princeton Alumni Weekly by Otis Lawrence Graham. Read the article
Are entrance exams a thing of the past? This Educated Mom blog post looks at the announcement made by Independent School Admissions Association of Greater New York to drop the ERB tests commonly used for entrance into elite Kindergarten programs, as well as announcements by some colleges to offer detailed essay assignments in lieu of Standardized test scores. Read the article
We’re not talking about a visit from Mickey; we’re talking about a school district turning to Disney to help improve customer service and experience. With district budgets and test scores under tight scrutiny, this use of time and funds is a controversial management choice. Read the article
The look and experience of college is changing, as many parents may be realizing, with the popularity of Massively Open On-line courses, or MOOC’s. This Educated Mom post is a useful summary of the phenomenon and looks at the powerful reach these courses have when a single university such as Stanford can reach 300,000 students with six courses. Read the article
We’re not talking college; we’re talking preschool. This Educated Mom post profiles a mother in Los Angeles and the competitive environment she and her family face when trying to choose and find placement in a preschool. Those in major cities may relate, while the rest of us read with amazement that the process we associate with college finds its way to these early years. Read the article
This blog post from The Educated Mom looks at the question of “redshirting” young children, a practice of holding them back a year before starting kindergarten. While increasingly popular, the practice is not recommended by neuroscientist Sam Wang, who suggests that children learn best when motivated by peers who are slightly ahead of them and that it is time spent in school that makes children succeed. Read the article
Students will inevitably encounter a teacher with whom, at a minimum, they do not "connect". This Huffington Post blog explains a few ways to turn the experience into a teaching moment. Read the article
This Huffington Post article describes a recent study indicating there is no positive correlation between single-sex classes and achievement. While single-sex schools may be the best choice for some students, this study indicates that parents should not make that choice based primarily on anticipated improved achievement. Read the article
A recent study explains how parental involvement is a greater predictor of a child's achievement scores than the quality of the school the child attends. Read the article
If you are considering homeschooling your child, or just curious about the topic, you may enjoy this blog post from a homeschooling mom who gives her response to five common perceptions about families that homeschool. Read the article
This article is written by a mother, who is also an author, who had to decide if her fourth child would benefit from going to a private high school. It offers the personal account of the reasons she made the trade-offs with public school. Read the article
This CNN post explores the value of "moving around" in school and explains how the writer found a school for her children that fosters movement. Read the article
This article highlights how students need different approaches to learning for two primary reasons. The first is that "one size does not fit all" and children learn better from different approaches. The second is highlighted by a metaphor: just as we best maintain physical health through a variety of foods and exercises, we need a variety of learning opportunities and subjects to optimize learning. Read the article
This Atlantic interview with Glenn Harlan Reynolds, author of The New School, looks at Reynold's opinion of our current school system is antiquated and at, "...his conclusion that the future of American education is rooted in technology, choice, and customization." Read the article
This article states, "...we do not have a systematic way of meeting the needs of the gifted" and continues by explaining the detrimental effects of not properly stimulating profoundly gifted children. One solution, the article presents, however, are online options, not only for intellectual growth, but to find communities of peers with similar abilities. Read the article
This article from the New York Times Motherlode blog gives some thoughtful perspective on if and when it is appropriate to request a specific teacher for your child. Read the article
This article from Great Schools provides advice on how to proceed when they don't "win" the school lottery. Read the article
This is a review of the book, "The Smartest Kids in The World: And How They Got That Way." Parents may find the review (and the book) interesting because the author gets an inside view of the education systems in Finland, South Korea and Poland through the perspectives of Americans studying abroad in those countries. Read the article
When is it advised to hold a child back a year or repeat a grade? This infographic walks parents through three key questions to consider and addresses the advantages and disadvantages of the decision. Read the article
This blog post explores the benefits of self-directed learning, a method used in some private schools. This curriculum relies on children's natural curiosity to guide them and uses natural, every day experiences. The article claims that this type of learning environment can work for almost all children, even those who need structure. Read the article
This article in Education Week discusses the current state of Catholic schools. Enrollment has been dropping but achievement scores outpace peer schools. Some educators credit this to the schools' discipline and values; others say it's due in part to their ability to expel poor performers. Read the article
This Atlantic article written by Chester Finn, Jr., a former assistant secretary of education under Ronald Reagan, describes the declining enrollment in private schools. Finn states, "While unemployment remains high, the marginal advantage of investing thirty or fifty thousand dollars a year in private schooling is diminishing, particularly when those dollars are invested in low-selectivity, lower-status private institutions." Read the article
This post written by Jim Childress, who worked with Nobel laureate Jim Watson, advises us to think about the spaces in which true invention flows. He says, "... you have to create excitement about science, math, and engineering by designing places not simply to impart facts and figures, but flexible spaces where young people want to be, hang out after class, share ideas, and test what they have learned through real-world applications." Read the article
This article provides an analysis of how Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) could one day be used in K-12 situations. The adoption may be best, the article states, for older students, homeschoolers and for the review of standardized tests, such as AP exams. Read the article
This article in the NY Times profiles Enstitue, a two year program created to be an alternative to college for a select group of talented students interested in learning, "information technology, computer programming and app building via on-the-job experience." Read the article
This brief article links to top high schools and colleges that focus on STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and math). Read the article
This article from Harvard Magazine explains how the institution is grappling with MOOCs. Although not all professors are embracing the movement, adoption seems to be accelerating at Harvard and similar institutions. Read the article
This is an in-depth piece on the potential benefits of character education in schools. Educators report an increase in achievement and lessoning of intrusive behavior when the respectful behavior is integrated into the entire school community. Read the article
This New York Times article takes a look at the business models behind such companies as Udacity and Coursera, which are leading the way in offering MOOCs. Read the article
This is a concise explanation of what is meant by "flipped classroom" or "flipped lesson." Parents should know that in this approach, students watch a lesson or video at home and school sessions are devoted to practice and clarification. Read the article
School Choice is the topic of this blog post from Great Schools. Parents who want to learn more about what terms mean, or what makes a STEM school a STEM school, will appreciate the links to video and blog explanations. Read the article
Well-respected EdWeek blogger Walt Garder shares his perspective on why student engagement starts strong but drops off significantly by high school. High school classrooms, he says, are obsolete and teachers are stymied in their efforts to implement change in most public schools. Read the article
With a focus on budgets, this article from the Huffington Post looks at what happens when traditional public schools lose students to charter schools or other factors, but retain those with special needs. The result is a relative increase in that population. Read the article
If your child may be switching schools or you are in the process of selecting a new one, this article from Great Schools may be of interest. The story starts with a overview of how best to assess possible schools and then focuses on issues related to middle school selection. Read the article
Homeschooling is becoming more prevalent in the United States. This brief article from The Economist explains the trends, statistics and outcomes. Read the article
This article from Education Week looks at a new study of charter school performance. While some improvement is noted, it is important to look at the full context of the study described. Read the article
This article from Great Schools does in fact give the lowdown on STEM Schools. It may help parents decide if this type of school would be a good fit for their children. Read the article
In this article, a reporter from New Republic looks at tweets to determine how students cope with boredom in school. How students cope with boredom can determine if it becomes toxic or an opportunity to refocus creativity. Read the article
In this article, Education Week describes the results of its annual Quality Counts report, which grades states on their education policy efforts and outcomes. Read the article
What is the most important innovation in education technology in the past 200 years? According to MIT, it's the delivery of education via the internet, particularly through the use of MOOC's. At the rapid rate of adoption, the world of higher education could be quite different by the time our kids enter college. Read the article
This MindShift article explains why spatial reasoning is a critical, but usually overlooked, area of cognition and long-term math achievement. And how to improve spatial skills. Read the article
Understand how parents can play a critical role in encouraging students to pursue a career in a STEM field. Read the article
A study from the UK shows that teaching students philosophy in a format that required them to consider and discuss philosophical questions in their lives (as opposed to studying philosophers) had a significant positive impact on math and reading skills. The greatest impact was seen among economically-disadvantaged students. Read the article
A teacher explores the importance of giving students longer, critical thinking problems and forcing them to spend the time to think through the problems in detail. As he rightly explains, in the real world there are rarely "fast thinking" problems and yet that is the majority of the problem solving students do in school. Read the article
Mind/Shift explains why developing spatial skills can be key to helping students choose STEM careers. It highlights how one school integrates spatial skills into its curriculum. Read the article
Realizing that word problems can feel overwhelming for some kids, the Mindprint staff created this handy reference sheet students can use to help them get started (and not panic). Read the article
Mind/Shift highlights the key issues many students have with math and provides constructive teaching approaches to support math difficulties. Read the article
This brief article explains that there is no correlation between chess and academic performance. However, the author still extols the virtues of playing chess for the enjoyment and thinking skills. Read the article
While we can't really raise children to be brilliant, there is a lot adults can do to make sure that children develop the critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills that will improve life success. This Mind/Shift previews a book on this topic. Read the article
This article explores the inherent nature of the scientific journey which might lead students to believe they lack the talent to be scientists. And how educators can change that mindset. Read the article
This Mind/Shift article highlights a successful group math curriculum, Complex Instruction, that uses authentic problem solving techniques that has transformed math perceptions for students in urban districts. The approach requires teacher (and maybe student) re-training, but has been shown to have significantly positive results. Read the article
This edutopia article explores a teacher's personal experience observing and developing abstract reasoning skills in high school. The key takeaway is that the science shows us that students come into the classroom with varying abilities but all still at an age of growth and teachers have the opportunity to effectively develop abstract reasoning skills through good pedagogy. Read the article
This article offers another definition of abstract thinking or reasoning which might be helpful for those who want more examples of how abstract reasoning skills might apply in other situations and how they differ from other reasoning skills. Mindprint assesses abstract reasoning and offers its own definition and strategies for supporting this important learning skill. Read the article
This handout from a Stanford University professor provides specific guidance for parents to encourage their children to enjoy math and not grow discouraged. Boaler relates much of her research to the work of fellow Stanford professor Carol Dweck. Read the article
This MindShift post discusses the critical importance of developing questioning skills in the 21st century and laments the reasons that schools do not teacher or foster this habit of mind. Read the article
The ability to ask good questions is at the root of critical thinking skills. This edutopia blog offers teachers guidance on how to encourage good questions in the classroom. Read the article
Strong spatial skills can be an overlooked gateway to STEM careers. This article discusses why spatial skills matter and some simple, practical ways to help students, particularly girls, develop their mental visualization and orientation. Read the article
This is a wonderful, research-based paper explaining the importance of students developing automaticity with math facts. It sets expectations by age and provides useful approaches to helping students develop their math fact fluency. Read the article
Spatial skills may be the most neglected of the core cognitive skills, because we use them less often in academic settings. However, those with strong spatial skills often excel in science, engineering, and other creative pursuits. Parents can cultivate spatial skills in young children in a variety of ways. This article from Mind/Shift suggests 15 books for pre-school and early elementary students to help encourage spatial reasoning. Read the article
This primer from the BBC website provides a great explanation of the types of thinking involved in computer science. It provides relevant examples that can help readers understand why computational thinking is so important for everyone, not just computer scientists. Read the article
This Mind/Shift article addresses the value of "embodied learning" or the importance of movement when students are learning challenging new concepts. Engaging students beyond just their "learning brains" can have even greater benefits for students with test anxiety and attention weaknesses. Read the article
This article explains why critical thinking is important in everyday life, including sifting through social media and marketing messaging. Read the article
This opinion column in the Washington Post addresses concerns about emphasizing the importance of science and math at the expense of a liberal arts education. The author explores the backgrounds of some of our country's greatest tech entrepreneurs, all who studied liberal arts. Read the article
This article discusses new research citing why strong, self-confident math students, particularly women, still opt out of STEM careers. Despite self-confidence, if students are not recognized for their strong skills or have not developed a strong interest in a particular field, they will not pursue a math-related career. The research implies the solution may be to offer more recognition to our most talented math students. Read the article
This Mindprint newsletter discusses the importance of math in every day life and provides suggestions for boosting the practical number skills students will use throughout their lives. Read the article
This Mindprint newsletter explores the oft-neglected but important skill of spatial perception. While this skill comes more naturally to some than others, developing this skill can help a student in everything from geometry to physics to art classes. Read the article
There is a difference between not enjoying math and struggling with the mechanics or concepts. Understanding the causes of any struggles is a critical first step in helping a child succeed. Our experts explain the potential root causes of math struggles and suggest proven strategies. Read the article
Most schools' prevailing approach to math has disengaged or lost many students. In this article in the New York Time's Motherlode column, the author explains why the current approach may be wrong and then recommends specific resources for parents to work with their children on problem solving. Read the article
This edutopia offers a superb explanation of the approach and mindset needed to be a truly good math problem solver. A key takeaway is that experience is the key, so with practice anyone can become an experienced problem solver. Read the article
While this article is not an easy read, the key takeaways are essential for parents and teachers. That is, the current system of timed math performance in elementary school leads to a disproportionately high number of children and adults that do not like math and/or have math anxiety. Read the article
As the debate on how much homework children should have continues to rage on, this article provides actual specific, research-based evidence that correlates homework to test performance. The answer is that homework should be given regularly and take approximately one hour. Most importantly is that the child should work through the solutions independently to see any meaningful benefit. Read the article
This article in Pacific Standard looks at a study that highlighted the inter-related skills involved with math. One issue, the researchers found, was that people are not very good at knowing their own strengths and weaknesses in this multifaceted elements of math, and underestimate or overestimate their skills to their own detriment. Read the article
This is an outstanding post about what has become an overused and misunderstood buzzword in education, critical thinking. If you suspect that the term has lost its power and been swept up in the educational jargon of new curriculum standards, you are most certainly correct. The author traces the term to its origins and gives helpful advice on how to reclaim the heart of the important skill. Read the article
If your child struggles with math, this blog post might be a great way to step back and re-evaluate your approach. It provides step-by-step guidance on how to dissect basic math problems so students can have those "aha" moments. Read the article
Academic research indicates kids still need to engage in some rote memorization in order to insure long-term success and higher-level thinking. The advent of technology does not negate the need to have basic math facts and word roots at one’s fingertips. Read the article
This blog is part of a series of posts on Mindprint's The Educated Mom that help explain particular cognitive traits and how they relate to children’s experiences in school and home. This post focuses on spatial perception, or the mind’s ability to process visual material such as maps, graphs, or symbols. Read the article
This blog is part of a series of posts on Mindprint's The Educated Mom that help explain particular cognitive traits and how they relate to children’s experiences in school and home. This post focuses on abstract reasoning, which is the ability to draw inferences, and analyze information involving objects, images, space or numbers. Abstract reasoning is used in all subjects but is most often associated with learning in math and science. Read the article
This article in Great Schools does a good job examining the idea of “tracking” students in math, and the consequences it can have not only during the high school experience but when students enter college. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog features an interview with New York City public school teacher, Alycia Zimmerman, the creator of a photo on fractions featuring Lego bricks that went viral. Parents of elementary school aged children may enjoy hearing about how she came up with a method for instruction that tapped the passionate interest of her students and their parents. Read the article
This post profiles Vanessa Vakharia, Canada’s Math Guru who established her cozy math tutoring studio as a kind of “hang out” for teens honing their math skills. From candles to tea latte, the tutoring spots are her way of cultivating a love of math and conviction that math can be cool and social. Having struggled with math in her younger days, Vakharia believes anyone can come to love and excel in the subject. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog looks at the official educational unit of the popular plastic bricks, LEGO. Many schools are inviting the company into their classrooms as part of LEGO EDUCATION, a way of engaging students in STEAM and STEAM that may remind them a bit of their favorite toys with added features. Read the article
By now, you may have heard of programs called STEAM which put the “A” in STEM. That “A” refers to the Arts, and the authors of this journal article helped put it there. Artists, this Educated Mom blog explains, are another creative and vital segment needed in the fields commonly reserved for those who stand out in math and science. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog looks at the book, Old Dogs, New Math: Homework Help for Puzzled Parents. The post interviews one of the book’s authors, and provides hope for parents who are wondering why “they’re no longer teaching math the way we learned it!” Read the article
Most teachers acknowledge the fact that children begin the school year having forgotten much of the previous year’s work. Others, however, say, the differentiation is made more obvious because some kids do summer programs to get ahead. The blog from The Educated Mom asks a math teacher to provide parents with some good advice to avoid the summer slide. Read the article
Many parents of grade school children are familiar with the term “New Math” and most have opinions about it. This Educated Mom blog includes an interview with a long time math instructor who gives basic information about Singapore Math, Everyday Math, and others. Read the article
This article looks at research showing the importance of developing fine motor and executive function skills in young children, particularly as they can lead to math success. Read the article
This NY Times article highlights new research indicating the importance of spatial reasoning skills in predicting future achievement in math and science related careers. Read the article
The National Center for Learning Disabilities provides these common signs of a potential math disability in early elementary-aged children. Read the article
Here is a blog from a Stanford PhD candidate and former high school math teacher highlighting why hands-on approaches like workbooks and games may sometimes be preferable to apps or computer-based learning for math. Read the article
This post explains how we may undervalue spatial reasoning skills, yet they can be extremely important for ultimate success in math and science fields. Read the article
This article from professor Daniel Willingham explains why some people have difficulty with mathematical concepts but provides reassurance that most students are very capable of mastering high school mathematics. Read the article
This brief article explains why parents should consider job shadowing for a strong math and science student who may not otherwise have exposure to the types of careers utilizing those skills. Read the article
This article co-written by noted researcher and professor Daniel Willingham, explains the specifics of math anxiety, delves into some of the causes, and provides some research-backed solutions to reduce it. Read the article
This article provides a wonderful visualization of how the most creative and innovative thinkers may simply be better and "connecting the dots" between known information. The article provides a few simple techniques to enable people to improve this skill. Read the article
Parents enjoying statistics will appreciate this international comparison on students' achievement in mathematics. No surprise that East Asian countries came out on top and the US continues to lag European and Asian countries. On a positive note, US performance seems to be improving, particularly among 4th graders. Perhaps most relevant in the "what can parents do category" is to view the significantly high correlations between positive attitude toward math and and long-term math achievement. A key takeaway is that parents have a critical role in shaping their children's long-term success in math by instilling a positive attitude at an early age. Read the article
This is a refreshing perspective on why many students do not like math and suggests ways to improve math curricula. Some aspects of the post are more relevant to teachers than parents, but cultivating a love of math by relating it to everyday occurrences is a strategy parents can use at home. Read the article
This blog post looks into the gender gap in computer science and warns that if the trend is to be reversed, girls must be reached before they enter high school. Read the article
This blog from Edutopia provides two strategies to engage students who are not typically inclined toward science and math: creativity and metaphors. Read the article
This blog discusses the gender gap in spatial reasoning ability which is believed to translate into the gender gap we see in science, engineering and math professions. The author speculates that because boys spend their leisure time playing video games, they increase their spatial reasoning skills. Read the article
This brief post from Education Week looks at a study published in the journal Behavior and Brain Functions, which showed a higher level of math anxiety in girls. Read the article
This article from Education Week highlights promising results from a recent study on a blended math learning program that showed demonstrably improved results among high school students. Read the article
Certain ways of teaching math lead to problems understanding fractions, this article from Education Week states. And the problem is widespread. The article highlights new approaches, some of which parents may incorporate at home, as well. Read the article
This blog is about a toy that was designed specifically to attract young girls to engineering. The creator cites the research of Carol Dweck on the importance of exposing children to possibilities at a young age and teaching the benefits of little failures. Read the article
This article explains a study of second graders published in Child Development: "...cultural stereotypes about math are absorbed strikingly early in development," is says, "prior to ages at which there are gender differences in math achievement." Read the article
This post written by Jim Childress, who worked with Nobel laureate Jim Watson, advises us to think about the spaces in which true invention flows. He says, "... you have to create excitement about science, math, and engineering by designing places not simply to impart facts and figures, but flexible spaces where young people want to be, hang out after class, share ideas, and test what they have learned through real-world applications." Read the article
This blog from Mind/Shift advocates the importance of programming and computer science classes, discussing reasons the work prepares students for challenges beyond careers in computer programming. Read the article
This blog discusses how late bloomers learned to love math through visualization, rather than with the numbers and formulas typically used in classrooms. The post suggests it's not too late to reach older children and inspire them to love math, too. Read the article
Parents of girls may be surprised to learn that 47% of gamers are girls. This blog post suggests that the qualities that draw girls to such games can be used to attract them to science and math, especially the technique of showing how content relates to the real world. Read the article
Looking at Nobel-Prize winning scientists as examples, this article advocates for "arts-infused science education," which brings the creative and visualization strengths of the arts to those who study science. Read the article
This brief article links to top high schools and colleges that focus on STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and math). Read the article
Here is more research looking at how to keep children, girls in particular, confident in math. Instead of looking at math ability as "fixed", children should be encouraged to view their ability as improvable with effort and to accept little failures along the way. Read the article
Math anxiety is common, can start in the early years and has a negative impact on those who suffer from it. This article is a useful reminder for parents and teachers that they can help students overcome the self-sabatoge and gain confidence in their skills and abilities to cope. Read the article
By 2020, there will be 1 million unfilled computer programming jobs, according to this article, which looks at a new series of short films designed to get kids excited about the potential career choice. A link to the film is included.What Do You Think? Read the article
Many parents understand the benefits of introducing letters and literacy skills to their young children, but this post looks at a study showing the benefit of speaking about numbers and math with the same committment. Read the article
High school students are showing more interest in pursuing careers related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, (STEM) according to a study discussed in this blog post. How to maintain that interest, and how to reach girls, who are showing a decreased focus on STEM, are questions the study's authors pose. Read the article
This blog bemoans the decline of "tinkering" among today's students. The freedom to experiment without a fear of failure or pressure to perform should be reclaimed, this author says, if we want to inspire a generation of STEM innovators. Read the article
This article looks at Bill Gate's initiative to move classrooms into "game-based" learning environments, including his foundation's work with The Center for Game Science. Read the article
This article from Science Daily summarizes a large study on math achievement among 5th-10th graders in Germany. While innate intelligence may influence math achievement in early years, study habits and confidence become far more important as students get older. Read the article
A new study from Harvard debunks the conventional wisdom that studying music in the early years improves students' math performance. The authors still encourage students to study music for its intrinsic value. Read the article
If there was any doubt about the value in teaching to students' interests, this blog describes a study showing how algebra performance improved when problems were customized to students' extra-curricular likes. Read the article
This article from Great Schools does in fact give the lowdown on STEM Schools. It may help parents decide if this type of school would be a good fit for their children. Read the article
New research shows that children may be ready for learning math with numbers as early as kindergarten, rather than second grade when numeracy is typically introduced. Read the article
This article from Great Schools explains what you should expect your child to be learning in science at various grade levels. It includes links to the National Science Education Standards for those interested in digging deeper. Read the article
This article from Scientific American explains how strong visual-spatial abilities, abilities often used by scientists, are under-emphasized on standardized IQ tests. Students with such strengths may not be selected for gifted and talented programs despite their high potential. Read the article
This blog is written by a professor of physics who instructs elementary education majors. To quote the author, "confusion is the sweat of learning." Read the article
This math teacher and blogger does a nice job summarizing new math and STEM education research published in 2013. While the research covers a broad range of material, the highlights include evidence that gender differences are real; early math numeracy does matter; and non-traditional approaches can have superior results. Read the article
This post, from the National Center for Learning Disabilities, explains in understandable terms the math learning disability of dyscalculia and how it manifests in early elementary school students. Parents who believe their first, second, or third grader shows signs of these specific struggles may need to be proactive with educators since dyscalculia is generally far less understood (and thus less identified) than reading disabilities like dyslexia. Read the article
Professor John Gabrieli explains the differences in neuroplasticity in the "dyslexic brain" and how that affects reading fluency. His findings emphasize the importance of early intervention rather than what he terms a "wait to fail" model. Read the article
Mind/Shift explains how powerful podcasts and audio books can be for struggling readers. The article includes recommendations by age group. Read the article
Understand why teachers use reading levels (also known as lexiles) and also how to use them to help support students, not prevent them from reading what they might want to read. They key point is that they can provide effective guidance but they should not be rigidly interpreted. Read the article
The National Council on Teacher Quality explains the research on the most effective strategies to teach fundamental reading skills. The lack of adherence to research-backed approaches could explain why students are not meeting basic reading requirements in fourth grade. Read the article
A study from the UK shows that teaching students philosophy in a format that required them to consider and discuss philosophical questions in their lives (as opposed to studying philosophers) had a significant positive impact on math and reading skills. The greatest impact was seen among economically-disadvantaged students. Read the article
Understand the key concepts in reading instruction and how they provide the foundation for detailed teaching strategies. Read the article
This NY Times blog provides a good explanation of how handwriting is key to reading development. The author provides advice on how to balance the teaching print, cursive and keyboarding. Read the article
This one page summary from the International Dyslexia Association provides an excellent overview of dyslexia including prevalence, signs, and supports. Read the article
This open letter from the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) clarifies the organization's interpretation of the research on the importance of specific methods for teaching reading to all children, especially those with dyslexia. Parents concerned about their children's reading fluency should understand how their child is being taught reading and if this method is endorsed by IDA. Read the article
The ability to ask good questions is at the root of critical thinking skills. This edutopia blog offers teachers guidance on how to encourage good questions in the classroom. Read the article
This lengthy 2009 paper from the American Academy of Pediatrics goes into detail about the diagnosis, prevalence and potential treatments for children with dyslexia. The emphasis is on early identification and intervention and highlighting therapies that have no proven efficacy (e.g. vision therapy). Read the article
This NPR post explains why vocabulary building is at the core of building reading comprehension skills. It provides specific advice on how to build vocabulary skills, including the importance of repeated, multi-modal exposure. Read the article
This article explores the strengths and struggles of children who have a dyslexia diagnosis. It offers encouragement that children with dyslexia might be pre-disposed to other, innate talents which parents will want to nurture and cultivate. However, it also cautions about the importance of early identification and intervention for students who might have a reading disorder. Read the article
This Mind/Shift blog addresses the importance of reading aloud to middle school children. Among the reasons, "a child’s reading level doesn’t catch up to his listening level until about the eighth grade." Read the article
This important guide from the Fordham Institute explains the five essential elements of effective reading instruction, which are critical for at-risk readers, including those mildly at risk. It expresses concerns that many whole-language literacy programs fail to diligently address all five essential elements. We agree with all the key points in this paper, but caution readers to recognize that students who are not at risk for reading difficulties can be very successful without a program that adheres strictly to these principles. Read the article
This article explains why critical thinking is important in everyday life, including sifting through social media and marketing messaging. Read the article
Despite the prevalence of dyslexia among students, estimated as high as one in five students, school districts vary greatly on their criteria for giving students an IEP that will meet their very specific learning needs. This Mind/Shift articles explores the challenges families face to get the right services and accommodations for their children. Read the article
For struggling readers or those with a reading disability, structured instruction is crucial in developing reading fluency. This article from the International Dyslexia Association explains the key elements of structured literacy. Parents will want to insist that their struggling readers are given proper instruction in all of these areas. Read the article
This article is based on an interview of teachers from an academically advanced high school who discuss the critical reading skills needed to be successful on AP exams, college, and beyond. Perhaps not surprisingly in the digital age, one of the biggest challenges is to have bright students slow down and read more deliberately. Read the article
This 4th of July weekend newsletter discusses the importance of learning history in developing critical thinking skills and provides three picks for helping kids learn more about history. It also features the Educated Mom's take on jury duty. Read the article
As our experts explain, reading is core to every school subject. Our experts provide some of the signs of a reading difficulty and steps you can take to address a potential concern. Read the article
This blog post explains why we should not motivate children to read using material rewards, such as money or prizes. The desire to read needs to come from within to be sustainable. Adults should, however, help children discover a love of reading. The author also promotes the book-a-day challenge for which we have less enthusiasm, as it begins to resemble extrinsic motivation and simply is not manageable for many children. Read the article
This article explains why independent reading is always the best way to help a child improve and expand vocabulary. Read the article
This article written by two physicians describes signs of dyslexia often overlooked in intellectually gifted children. The authors provide very specific concerns for parents to look for if they suspect an undiagnosed reading struggle. Read the article
This brief article from non-profit Understood.org discusses the Orton-Gillingham reading program, designed specifically to give intensive phonics and decoding instruction to struggling readers. If you have a student who is reading below grade level you will want to understand if this program would be good for your child. Read the article
If you have concerns about your child reading for pleasure, this NY Times column provides valuable recommendations from a respected education researcher and the mom-author on how to foster a love independent reading at home. Read the article
Parents of struggling readers or seemingly unmotivated students may find this article in the Hechinger Report of value. It explains the key to success is engagement, and how engagement takes different forms for different students. The non-profit CAST, founder of Universal Design for Learning standards which can best be described as "essential for some, good for all," is using technology to engage students through varied learning approaches. Read the article
This New Yorker article describes very interesting research on the correlation of brain development and reading among children in grades K-3. The research suggests there might be early intervention opportunities for students that might be predisposed to dyslexia and the importance of addressing problems with struggling readers as early as possible. Read the article
This is an outstanding post about what has become an overused and misunderstood buzzword in education, critical thinking. If you suspect that the term has lost its power and been swept up in the educational jargon of new curriculum standards, you are most certainly correct. The author traces the term to its origins and gives helpful advice on how to reclaim the heart of the important skill. Read the article
Are you wondering if your child is progressing with his or her reading at the appropriate pace? While each child is different, it is useful to understand the expected growth so that you can intercept and support any setbacks. This post gives a specific breakdown of expected progress from age 1 through 13. Read the article
This post on Edudemic is a great resource with links to help better understand dyslexia. Given the prevalence of learning disabilities, all of us might benefit from a better understanding. Read the article
This piece explores the reasons why we might understand and retain information better with traditional books than we do with electronic devices and audio books. Rather than suggesting that we throw out our devices, the author provides ways to use this knowledge to adjust our approach to electronic tools. Read the article
This blog in The New York Times looks at a recent survey done by Scholastic, which indicates that children who are given a choice of what to read during the school day are more likely to continue to read for pleasure throughout middle and high school. Parents and teachers should take these statistics into consideration as they help their children balance the need for breadth and depth of reading materials and their natural interests. Read the article
This blog is part of a series of posts on Mindprint's The Educated Mom that help explain particular cognitive traits and how they relate to children’s experiences in school and home. This post focuses on verbal reasoning, the ability to use words to draw inferences from limited information. Read the article
Thousands, if not millions, of parents have enjoyed the illustrations of Paul Zelinsky, especially his lift-the-flap book edition of Wheels on the Bus. But most may not know that this children’s book illustrator honed his skills at Yale University along side another popular artist, Sandra Boynton. This Educated Mom post may give parents of creative children some encouragement as they mull over the many ways in which such talented young people can develop their interests and careers Read the article
This Educated Mom blog looks at the creation of The Reading Game, a product created by legendary vocabulary book author, Kenneth Hodkinson. After observing his granddaughter in the early stages of wanting to read, Hodkinson created this comprehensive memory-style game to develop early readers with a particular focus on DOLCH words, or sight words. Read the article
Who says the only place to learn new vocabulary words is in an SAT prep book? This Educated Mom blog looks at her family’s recent trip to Colonial Williamsburgh and the trip back into the sayings of the past that have worked their way into modern language, but whose origins may be forgotten. Highlights include: blockhead (used for wigs) and powder room (also for wigs). Read the article
Meet the thoughtful team behind the popular literacy app, Learn with Homer. This Educated Mom blog profiles the literacy expert who helped design much of the content and style of the app, and highlights how a team of creative and inspired developers in Brooklyn have entered the app scene and set a high bar for others. Read the article
The summer slide. This Educated Mom post looks at creative ways to encourage your children to keep up their summer reading. Read the article
This infographic depicts the importance of fluent reading by third grade and makes a case for using audio books to help all children improve their reading proficiency. Read the article
This post looks at a poll of 1000 adults to find out why they prefer physical books over e-readers. While they reasons may or may not apply to your child, the results are interesting and could help you decide when each type of book is ideal. Read the article
Getting younger readers over the intimidation of chapter books can be among a parent's first and most difficult challenges. This blogger provides a helpful top ten list of her favorites with good descriptions of each book's appeals. Read the article
This article from the International Dyslexia Association provides specific signs that a child may have a reading problem and explains the importance of parents taking early action. Read the article
Why study Latin? This post looks at the evidence showing increased performance of students on standardized tests for both verbal and math skills. And best of all, says the author, "It is an exercise in reverse-engineering our own language in order to understand how all the parts fit together to create a whole." Read the article
This post introduces a book funded on Kickstarter. The creator, Sam Barclay, says, "Being dyslexic, one thing always stood out: the available help was always aimed at making me read better. Very little effort was made to help the people around me understand what it feels like to struggle with reading." Read the article
This blog from The New York Times provides hope for dyslexic students, explaining how more frequent reading at early ages can lead to improved success, debunking the idea that the brain is "hard-writed" and can't be changed through expereince. Read the article
This article provides an excellent summary of recent research about the potential downsides of using e-readers for students and gives parents some clues as to how to productively choose and use e-books. Read the article
This research paper examines the role technology can play in improving literacy in children. There are several important takeaways. The first is that technology cannot and should not be avoided; however, schools and parents must embrace "thoughtful adoption". The authors emphasize the importance of Joint Media Engagement, i.e. technology can do wonders but it is not a babysitter; for technology to be most effective parents needs to experience and discuss it with their children. Finally, parents must be selective in their digital technology choices, since most digital media has been created in the past two years and the efficacy of many "educational products" is questionable. Mindprint hopes to help parents solve these problems whenever necessary. Read the article
This article provides a potentially great option for parents of children with dyslexia. A new study shows that customizing e-readers so they display very few words per line can show a measurable improvement in reading comprehension and speed for those with dyslexia. Read the article
This article discusses the option of tinted lenses for some students with dyslexia. The lenses are expensive and are not covered by insurance. Read the article
This blog provides an excellent explanation of the increased demands for reading in 3rd and 4th grade. The author uses this data to advocate for early intervention for students who show weaknesses. Read the article
This press release from MIT explains cutting edge research on early diagnosis of Dyslexia. It provides a concise explanation of the early skills that could signal later difficulties. Read the article
Parents who know or suspect their child has a reading problem will appreciate this first person account written by Ben Foss, an entrepreneur and founder of Headstrong Nation, a not-for-profit organization serving the dyslexic community. Foss, who is dyslexic, invented the Intel Reader, a mobile device that takes photos of text and recites it out loud. Read the article
This NY Times Op-Ed is written by a dyslexic author who did not read fluently until age 13. Still, the writer went onto Yale, medical school and much success. The piece highlights research linking specific cognitive strengths with dyslexia. Read the article
This article is a good primer on the key misconceptions about dyslexia. The explanations are quite good and succinct and include information about how the symptoms present in older children who have not yet been diagnosed. Read the article
This article in The Washington Post looks at News Literary programs which teach students the discernment to look critically at information on the Internet. Read the article
This article from The Atlantic is a wonderful reminder to preserve the joy of reading for children, even as they face more pressures in the school environment. Read the article
With the goal of getting his most, "...reluctant readers to start reading habitually," this elementary school principal turned to e-readers. This post explains his rationale. Read the article
This article written by a reading specialist emphasizes the importance of identifying learning differences early. The author also explains the Response to Intervention (RTI) program, which is intended to screen for such differences before children slip behind or become discouraged. Read the article
While we live in an age that accepts different approaches to education, there is a "right way" to teach reading, according to this article, an excerpt from Peg Tyre's book, The Good School: How Smart Parents Get Their Kids The Education They Deserve. Tyre advocates an aggressive approach to getting kids on-track with reading in the early grades. Read the article
Keeping a journal as a place for writing and drawing--ungraded by the teacher--is a technique some say can engage students in creative writing and reading. This blog post looks at one teacher's use of the tactic, inspired by a children's book. Read the article
New research confirms an actual improvement in reading skills associated with studying music. This blog in The Washington Post features a post by Daniel Willingham, author of, When Can You Trust The Experts? How to Tell Good Science from Bad in Education. While highlighting the new research, Willingham argues music for music's sake is still to be prized. Read the article
This Huffington Post blog from a former teacher provides five useful strategies parents might integrate to keep reading an enjoyable and important part of their children's lives. Read the article
Reading out loud should not end when a child has reached proficiency. In this blog, an elementary school principal lists his top ten take-aways from Jim Trelease's The Read Aloud Handbook. Read the article
This great post, written for a top organization for teachers, will be helpful for parents to consider if they believe their child is an unenthusiastic reader. These universal insights can give parents and teachers a better understanding of how to develop all children into more confident readers. Read the article
Understand if processing speed is the cause of underperformance on standardized tests -- and what you can do to help your students manage their time better. Read the article
The edvocate explains the neurological causes of why some students experience a "brain freeze" during an exam. It provides strategies on how to prevent them, including a few stress relieving techniques and the importance of preparation. Read the article
Good tips for students who have difficulty pacing themselves for standardized tests. The article provides specific advice for each section of the SAT and ACT. Read the article
This Huffington Post blog will offer comfort and optimism to parents who have a bright student who has difficulty with standardized tests and/or slower processing speed. If you are in a similar situation, the takeaway is that parental commitment and individual teachers can make all the difference. Read the article
Understand the differences between learning and remembering, and why remembering could be the root cause of test anxiety among many capable students. Read the article
This psychologist's post explores the signs, potential causes and potential remediations for gifted children who might have slow processing speed. It is an excellent summary for parents concerned about how quickly their bright children can respond and process information. Read the article
This teacher's blog explains why slower working students might have difficulties in the classroom, the importance of understanding the underlying reasons for a student's pace, and strategies for teachers to support their slower-paced students. Read the article
This important new ruling from the Justice Department should make it easier for students to receive the same accommodations on standardized tests as they have in their IEPs or 504 Plans. Read the article
This article begins by acknowledging an important classroom dynamic--that children process information at different rates of speed and that students with slower processing speed can be left behind. The author encourages mindful pauses by teachers. These brief but important pauses level the playing field for students who respond more slowly. It also gives time for speedier thinkers to reflect and better consolidate their learning. Read the article
This article from Understood.org explains the oftentimes difficult to understand issue of information processing in very clear terms. Read the article
This Mindprint newsletter discusses that a little bit of anxiety can be good for test taking, but too much anxiety can weaken working memory and hamper performance. The newsletter provides three good test taking strategies that should help boost test performance. Read the article
There may be solutions for a capable child who consistently underperforms on school or standardized tests. Our experts help you understand the potential reasons and suggest strategies that could help depending on the root cause. Read the article
While this article is not an easy read, the key takeaways are essential for parents and teachers. That is, the current system of timed math performance in elementary school leads to a disproportionately high number of children and adults that do not like math and/or have math anxiety. Read the article
This very personal post from a teacher and mom provides great advice on how to speak with your children about standardized tests to lessen anxiety and improve performance. Read the article
This article from non-profit Edutopia provides a good starting point for parents trying to understand the new national standardized curriculum. It provides links to additional resources that can provide additional insight. Read the article
This booklet is designed for parents and students to understand test anxiety and develop coping strategies. The booklet is written for students, but we recommend parents read through it first and decide if they want to selectively share the strategies they believe will work best for their child. Read the article
This article was written to address the specific concerns of students with ADHD or learning disabilities as they prepare for standardized college admissions test. It addresses how to plan in advance and which test may be preferable and why. Read the article
Wondering what to expect from the new SAT? Great Schools looks at college admissions tests, how they have changed over time, and how it could impact your student. Read the article
This blog post is part of a series of posts on Mindprint's The Educated Mom that help explain particular cognitive traits and how they relate to children’s experiences in school and home. This post focuses on processing speed, sometimes called information processing, which is the rate at which a person can see or hear information, analyze it, and apply it for the task at hand. Read the article
This is a useful post on information processing disorders, typically categorized as either visual or auditory in nature. The article notes that information processing disorders may not in and of themselves be categorized as learning disabilities but are often at the root of learning difficulties. Read the article
This is an excellent article for parents, giving one mother’s advice on how to shepherd a child through the famously difficult junior year of high school. Although the focus is on 11th grade, the strategies might be best implemented if parents consider the points far earlier, even before their children enter high school. Read the article
This post in Scientific America is written by Scott Barry Kaufman, Director of The Imagination Institute in the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Kaufman suggests that the new SAT is still only a measure of, “Convergent thinking: the ability to arrive at the single best answer deemed correct by a select committee.” And we’d do better assessing “Divergent thinking: the ability to generate multiple possibilities, ideas, and solutions to a problem.” Read the article
This post gives straight facts about when to take the SAT and the ACT and how often. While every family should make choices based on their individual situations, parents seeking one strategy for the daunting schedule of test taking might find this month-by-month breakdown a useful reference. Read the article
The Common Core standards and revised teacher evaluation criteria linked to them have been in the news of late, and this Educated Mom blog looks at one neighborhood in Brooklyn that has begun to push back. Described as a neighborhood and school that usually “do what they are supposed to do” the parents, students, and administration of this school found themselves in new territory as they pushed back to the new tests. Read the article
This NPR story explains the results of a new study showing that high school grades are a better predictor of college success than standardized test scores. The College Board announced in March 2014 that the test format would change in 2016 to address this issue. Read the article
Why study Latin? This post looks at the evidence showing increased performance of students on standardized tests for both verbal and math skills. And best of all, says the author, "It is an exercise in reverse-engineering our own language in order to understand how all the parts fit together to create a whole." Read the article
This blog post from a college counselor provides some useful, basic information about the ACT and SAT, and good advice for high school sophomores. Read the article
Standardized state achievement tests do not provide the insight or accountability parents and teachers need to help students, says a New York Principal in this opinion piece. He describes parent reactions, which in some cases include opting-out of testing, or sending scores back in protest. Read the article
Two leaders in standardize testing reflect on the state of such testing in the United States today in this interesting Q&A. This article won't help you prepare your child for testing, but it gives background and insight not often found. Read the article
This is a detailed look at the trend towards computerized adaptive tests, which change, or adapt, based on how the student is doing. Such tests involve some expense and may not work well for all subjects, but they are touted as being able to more precisely measure the range of student knowledge, provide faster results, and be more interesting to take. Read the article
This brief post from Education Week looks at a study published in the journal Behavior and Brain Functions, which showed a higher level of math anxiety in girls. Read the article
This is a helpful read for parents who want to help a child they believe suffers from excessive test anxiety. This short post is adapted from the author's article in Time Magazine. Read the article
This article from Reuters highlights the ongoing conflict surrounding standardized testing, especially in young children. While such testing can be an aid in early identification and intervention, it can also create undo pressure and lead to premature categorizations. Read the article
Concerned about how United States students perform on the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA)? This blog post in The Washington Post puts the results in perspective. Read the article
This blog looks at the conclusions of Yong Zhao, an author and professor of education, who found a correlation between high test scores and lower confidence. Zhao suggests that America's de-centralized approach to education could be the source of the nation's entrepreneurial spirit. Read the article
This article from Marilee Sprenger, a well-known educator and lecturer on neuropsychological issues, explains why students need a solid understanding of the vocabulary used in the common core, freeing their memories and minds to then focus on the work at hand. Read the article
This short post questions the value of multiple-choice questions in a world that demands 21st-century skills and problem-solving. Read the article
This article outlines the differences between the SAT and ACT and helps readers determine which test may be the best fit for particular students. Read the article
This NY Times blog highlights the key points in a longer magazine piece, providing sound advice to help children cope with test anxiety. Read the article
This post on the Huffington Post is written by the head of a tutoring service focused on the New York City region. The author argues that the pSAT is losing its relevance in light of the changing landscape of standardized tests. Read the article
Like an athlete in training, students preparing for the SAT should build stamina to complete the full SAT effectively, says this blogger, the SATdude. Read the article
A recent study suggests that some people with anxiety may perform better if they are told to "get excited" rather than to "calm down". While this research is relatively new, parents and teachers may want to try this approach with some students. Read the article
This article on Scholastic was written by a teacher (yes, there's a typo in the article proving even teachers make mistakes) who identifies the key problems many students have when answering essay questions on standardized tests. Parents and students may find her quick pointers helpful to review. Read the article
Learn about five things you can do over the summer months to improve school year habits and success. Read the article
This Ed Mom blog from Varsity Tutors explores the importance of summer learning and provides helpful suggestions for parents depending on a child's age and objectives. Read the article
This mom blog offers perspective to parents on when it might be the right time to call a tutor versus trying to help a child at home. If you are struggling with homework time and trying to decide what to do next, this blog provides what you might want to consider in your decision. Read the article
This Mindprint newsletter provides guidance for parents on when they may need to consider getting advice from a professional to help a struggling child. The newsletter address social, emotional and academic concerns. Read the article
Mindprint highlights three easy-to-do research-backed steps to approach summer learning in this newsletter. Read the article
This article from Great Schools addresses the debate over whether or not summer homework is getting more intense (it is) and whether or not is worthwhile (in its typical format, probably not). Read the article
This blog post explains why we should not motivate children to read using material rewards, such as money or prizes. The desire to read needs to come from within to be sustainable. Adults should, however, help children discover a love of reading. The author also promotes the book-a-day challenge for which we have less enthusiasm, as it begins to resemble extrinsic motivation and simply is not manageable for many children. Read the article
Children with learning differences may welcome summer as a break from the pressures of the school year, as all kids do, but they, even more than others, may benefit from keeping up with their studies. In this Educated Mom post, we get summer advice from a teacher who works primarily with children who have learning differences. Read the article
Most teachers acknowledge the fact that children begin the school year having forgotten much of the previous year’s work. Others, however, say, the differentiation is made more obvious because some kids do summer programs to get ahead. The blog from The Educated Mom asks a math teacher to provide parents with some good advice to avoid the summer slide. Read the article
This Educated Mom posts looks at the experiences of a few grown-ups at Mindprint, and relates their most memorable and meaningful summers. Parents looking to enrich their children’s summers may find these perspectives useful. Read the article
This summary piece from Great Schools provides some high level perspective on when you should consider a tutor and the potential options. The article emphasizes the importance of early intervention if a child struggles with fundamental skills such as reading, writing, or completing homework assignments. Read the article
This brief post from a leader in blended learning resources, Getting Smart, provides statistics on the decline in math and reading performance for students who do not supplement over the summer.The post gives three useful suggestions for summer learning that you may not have heard of. Read the article
Students only spend 14% of their waking hours in school during a typical year, leaving a lot of time left for out of school or "informal learning". This article highlights the importance of informal learning and provides suggestions for making the time enjoyable and productive. Read the article
This blog in Education Week is written by a college counselor who suggests teens should use their summers pursuing rigorous learning or work, not light-weight summer programs or internships designed to fill a resume. Read the article
This well-researched article from The Atlantic is an expansive and interesting look at the wave of touch-screen games for kids, and how parents, children, developers and experts are responding. Read the article
This article from Market Watch looks at the tutoring industry's growth and the price parents are willing to pay for help that goes beyond single-subject areas. Read the article
The government of South Korea may want children to have a bit more unstructured time away from school, but according to this article, parents are responding to this change in the school week by filling that time with tutoring and additional classes. Read the article
This brief post from Forbes looks at the growing industry of online tutoring. While many students report improved academic performance from such tutoring, the author examines potential shortcomings. Read the article
Scholastic provides a detailed explanation of the steps every child progresses through while learning to spell. Initially spelling is based on visual memory but then progress to more associative spelling where students must understand patterns and logical associations. Read the article
EmergingEdTech explains how writing demands have evolved with technology and how to set proper expectations for today's young writers. Read the article
A teacher explains why some students can be "overlooked." She offers specific strategies to give all students the time and support they need to learn to speak comfortably in class. Read the article
This resource for parents and teachers provides suggestions on how to motivate reluctant writers. Read the article
The Week wrote this for adults but its lessons will easily apply to students who are struggling with anxiety or loss. The article explains how writing about your feelings for as little as 20 minutes a day for four consecutive days can have a meaningful beneficial impact on emotional well-being. Read the article
This teacher 's blog helps parents understand how teachers view the intersection between spelling and writing, and why teachers might be less focused on spelling mistakes in early elementary school than parents might expect. Read the article
Public speaking is a critical life skill, but it is often overlooked in the classroom. Maybe that's why speaking in front of an audience is considered to be most people's number one fear. This edutopia article coaches teachers on how they can easily and effectively develop speaking skills in the classroom. Read the article
This blog from educator and author Starr Sackstein provides excellent advice to encourage reluctant writers to grow comfortable expressing their inner voice. One of our favorites is "getting rid of the red pen." Read the article
This Mindprint newsletter discusses the importance of good writing and provides useful suggestions to engage reluctant writers. Read the article
Speaking and writing are critical academic and life skills that develop over time. Our experts provide rough benchmarks of what to expect and what steps you should consider if your child seems to be lagging behind peers. Read the article
This advice from an experienced introvert-turned-teacher guides teachers on how they can effectively work with reluctant speakers. Parents of introverts may want to consider sharing this article with their child or child's teacher to find a comfortable solution for both student and teacher. Read the article
This progress checker from a UK non-profit can be a helpful way to see if your child's communication development is following a typical progression. If you have lingering concerns after reading this information, we recommend you consult your pediatrician or school. Read the article
This is a great blog directed for teachers of upper elementary and middle school students to guide them on reinforcing basic writing skills. However, parents can read it to better understand age-appropriate writing development and how they might help their child's writing if they want to get more involved in instruction. Read the article
The Atlantic cautions adults about the link between increased use of social media and increased prevalence in social anxiety among teens. While social media undoubtedly helps some, the researcher says that “Now young people can’t look you in the eye, they get antsy talking to you in person." The article explores all the negative consequences of social anxiety. Read the article
This blog post from The Educated Mom discusses the importance of learning a poem by heart, or committing it to memory. The post looks at initiatives in England, a country known for its public support of poetry and drama, and relates learning a poem to owning a great piece of art because it is carried within. For those looking for ways to improve their child’s memory, sense of literature, or emotional outlets, this post provides a link to a collection of poems. Read the article
This spot-on article from Fast Company is written for adults who need to speak in the workplace, but the recommendations are applicable to students in middle school and beyond who need to make oral presentations. Read the article
This article makes the case for the continued teaching of handwriting and spelling. The author calls on scientific evidence to explain how handwriting and spelling skills are foundational skills for reading fluency. Read the article
This blog post from Bank Street College provides a powerful explanation of teaching children to write through self-reflection. Read the article
This feel-good column from The Washington Post is a good reminder that giftedness is not limited to standardized test scores. Here is just one program that rewards budding poets. Read the article
This article provides some creative examples of how mobile technology enables cheating. Perhaps of greater concern is that some students may be cheating without believing they are behaving inappropriately. Read the article
This is a great blog looking at a recent study by Pew Research, "The Impact of Digital Tools on Student Writing and How Writing is Taught in Schools." On the positive side, students are more comfortable writing for an audience and receiving feedback. However, technology has had some negative impacts the study found, from not understanding copyright laws to a decreased awareness of when to choose a more formal style. Read the article
This post looks at a unique connection between a group of 6th graders and 12th graders on opposite sides of the country. The older students have edited the younger students' writing, a peer relationship that has reportedly had benefits for both groups. Read the article
This article looks at how high school debating teams are integrating technology. While the oral debate is still prized, students are making use of the ability to research and post supporting arguments online, and may tap into the ability to debate teams remotely.What Do You Think? Read the article
While some parents may argue against class participation contributing to a student's grade, this article is a teacher's explanation of why it needs to count. Read the article
The "curse of expertise" is a term used to describe the inability of an expert to actually explain what they know to those who want to learn. This post looks at simple ways to break this curse, which may be particularly helpful to parents helping their children with homework, or even to those who are learning, as they seek better ways to communicate with experts and teachers. Read the article
Keeping a journal as a place for writing and drawing--ungraded by the teacher--is a technique some say can engage students in creative writing and reading. This blog post looks at one teacher's use of the tactic, inspired by a children's book. Read the article
The following blog post is a list of 10 key elements for effective writing. It's a useful reference for parents or students to keep on hand. Read the article
This article on Scholastic was written by a teacher (yes, there's a typo in the article proving even teachers make mistakes) who identifies the key problems many students have when answering essay questions on standardized tests. Parents and students may find her quick pointers helpful to review. Read the article
This blog post, written by a mother who is also a writer, offers good advice on how to encourage and sustain independent writing in children. Read the article
This NPR story includes interviews with researchers who explain how the physical act of writing enhances brain development around skills including comprehension, grammar and spelling. Contrary to many beliefs, there is no proof that cursive is more effective than print, but both are far more effective than typing. Read the article
The stress of living in poverty can have long-term impact on children’s brain development, most particularly executive functions, without intervention. Please contact Mindprint if you'd like to learn more about how we can help you identify which students are struggling the most and how best to support them. Read the article
This excellent Washington Post article by Phyllis Fagell helps parents understand what they need to do when they notice a change in their child's academic or school behavior. The author does an excellent job providing solutions for the most common situations parents might face. Read the article
This lengthy research article goes into details on the different sub-categories of executive functions, how they are measured, and how deficits in these skills can affect learning, behavior and life skills. Table 1 provides research on life challenges when executive function deficits are not addressed. Read the article
ADDitude Magazine identifies learning disabilities that might overlap with ADHD and the potential confusing characteristics. Read the article
This Mindprint blog explains why more students might be showing ADHD symptoms as a result of too much technology use. Read the article
Child Mind Institute explains why anxiety is often misunderstood as ADHD, bad behavior, or OCD. Anxiety often needs to be treated first, even if there is another concurrent condition. Read the article
This helpful post explains some of the similarities and differences of ADHD vs. specific learning disabilities (SLD). Treatment and intervention options will differ based on the diagnosis. Read the article
This Scientific American Q&A explains how background noise can affect focus and retention. The key takeaway is that students really should not be studying with the television on or in a room where others are talking. Note to readers: There are other articles in our collection that explain how soft music might be acceptable, and potentially even beneficial for some. Read the article
This Huffington Post blog from a pediatrician provides succinct planning advice for parents of students with ADHD who are preparing for college. Students with ADHD can be very successful at college but they might need additional supports for organization and time management as they grapple with the lack of structure in many college environments. Read the article
This article highlights a research study showing how even students with mild, unidentified attention weaknesses can fall behind in school. Fortunately, there are simple strategies teachers can use to support these children, but they must be aware of who needs this support. The research focuses on students as young as 6. Mindprint can identify mild attention weaknesses in children starting at age 8. Read the article
This interesting blog from Mind/Shift starts with the inspiring story of the researcher who was dismissed as a learner from an early age. He's now a professor studying imagination. His research shows why the brain's "imagination system" operate only when executive functions are silent, suggesting that creativity and focused attention might be in conflict. Read the article
This detailed article from ADDitude magazine explains why parents might want to consider cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as a predecessor and/or in addition to medication for children with ADHD. It provides the specific details on what a CBT program should include, and guidance on the amount of parent and child commitment that will be required to make CBT successful. Read the article
This Mind/Shift article provides a brief explanation of why children born later in the calendar year are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD in early elementary school. While the knee jerk reaction might be to have these students wait a year before starting school, the recommendation is to let them start school when they are intellectually ready but be prepared to give them the extra supports they need with behavior until their maturity catches up to their older peers. Read the article
This brief Scholastic article provides some age and personality-related perspective on childhood impulsivity. It include age-appropriate suggestions for parents to help their children manage this important life skill. Read the article
This article explores why girls have been historically under-diagnosed with ADHD and the potential long-term consequences of going undiagnosed. There are gender differences in the signs of ADHD, and since girls are less likely to display hyperactivity adults need to be aware of the other potential signs. Read the article
This mom-psychologist shares the ADHD story of her [now] adult twins and advises, "instead of overprotecting their kids, parents serve them best by focusing on self-advocacy, confidence-building, and helping them to understand their disability, and find their strengths." Read the article
This interview with author of the book ,The ADHD Guide to Career Success, explores the benefits of ADHD in the workplace. However, it emphasizes the importance of choosing an environment that will be most suitable for the strengths and weaknesses associated with ADHD. Read the article
This Mind/Shift article addresses the value of "embodied learning" or the importance of movement when students are learning challenging new concepts. Engaging students beyond just their "learning brains" can have even greater benefits for students with test anxiety and attention weaknesses. Read the article
This blog from Educated Mom summarizes the insights from a very helpful hour long video from Understood.org about the key characteristics of ADHD. A link to the full video is included. Read the article
This excellent video from non-profit Understood.org interviews two medical experts on ADHD who explain why most students with ADHD do not fit the traditional stereotype of the hyper, disruptive child in the back of the room. The discussion addresses why diagnosing ADHD is important for the child and the ways that parents and educators can support students with a diagnosis. This is a must-watch for educators and parents of children with, or suspected to have, ADHD. Read the article
In this blog, a child psychologist offers parents the alternative point of view to medicating a child with ADHD. While medication might be appropriate, she provides context for parents to thoughtfully evaluate their decision. Read the article
This article in the Boston Globe explores whether schools' investments in helping bolster executive functions is paying dividends in increased math and reading scores. The short answer is there is no supporting evidence yet that it does. But the research is still new and the measurement tools of executive functions are not robust. Read the article
This blog from Understood.org explains what is meant by executive functions and how weaknesses can prove troublesome for adolescents. The good news is that even those students with weaker executive functions can and often do catch up to their peers, but it is important to help a child in the interim. Read the article
Our experts explain how you might know if your child's behavior signals a possible problem with attention, the core approach to addressing attention problems, and why it is important to address attention weaknesses early. Read the article
This article provides a detailed explanation of the reasons why people with attention disorders also have a higher propensity to be overweight or suffer from an eating disorder. Read the article
Contrary to most popular educational theories, this article cites evidence that children with attention disorders may focus better if allowed to fidget and move around in class. However, the researcher cautions this effect is only true with children with an attention weakness. Moving around or fidgeting could have negative impacts for children with age-appropriate levels of attention. Read the article
This blog from non-profit Edge Foundation provides insight into the specific challenges for girls with ADHD. In this interview, a child psychologist explains the different symptoms and experiences among girls given the lower diagnosis rates and less obvious symptoms. Read the article
This is the second article in a two part series written by a child psychologists that provides very helpful, very specific strategies for parents of children with attention weaknesses cope with social situations. Read the article
This new study indicates that current strategies to help students with ADHD may be detrimental to learning. The implications could have an enormous impact for children with ADHD. Read the article
This is a must-read article for all parents of adolescents because it provides a guide on how to parent through a challenging phase. Parents of children with ADHD or other executive function issues will find this article to be of special value, given what we now understand about the brain during this period of growth. Read the article
The social impacts of an attention disorder can often be overlooked with all the emphasis placed on helping a child face the academic challenges. Children with attention weaknesses could be disliked for reasons they don't fully understand. While this post by a child psychologist raises some discouraging statistics, parents who are aware of the challenges can provide the appropriate coaching and support to help children avoid some predictable pitfalls. Read the article
This post from a pediatrician discusses the downside of video games, particularly for children with known attention weaknesses. Read the article
This Atlantic magazine article focuses on how to encourage today's children (and adults) to stop rushing "to get the answer before really thinking through the question." The article explores the methodologies that teachers, and parents, can use to help students regain this critical life skill. Read the article
This is a fantastic primer that lists the professionals associated with conducting educational assessments and helps parents understand their ability to make a diagnosis. For example, the author reminds parents, “…many of these professionals can suspect LD and/or ADHD but all are not licensed, or have the needed certifications to diagnose the disorders.” Read the article
This piece explores the reasons why we might understand and retain information better with traditional books than we do with electronic devices and audio books. Rather than suggesting that we throw out our devices, the author provides ways to use this knowledge to adjust our approach to electronic tools. Read the article
This article is a worthwhile read for parents of a child with an actual or suspected ADHD diagnosis. The author gives examples of how an inaccurate ADHD diagnosis can disguise the true problem. The author believes that many children might be on medication that won't help them and also are not receiving the proper interventions that can. While the author does not have data to support her beliefs, parents should heed her advice to proactively understand a child's ADHD diagnosis, particularly if the diagnosis is based on subjective data. Read the article
This article in the magazine, ADDitude, looks at the causes of poor sleep for children with ADHD, the symptoms of sleep deprivation, and some useful strategies for helping these children create a realistic bedtime and sleep schedule. Read the article
This article in the British newspaper, The Guardian, is written by a neuroscientist. He says the multi-tasking afforded by technology is making us less efficient and less intelligent. He describes our predicament as: “We are doing the jobs of 10 different people while still trying to keep up with our lives, our children and parents, our friends, our careers, our hobbies, and our favourite TV shows.” Read the article
This blog is part of a series of posts on Mindprint's The Educated Mom that help explain particular cognitive traits and how they relate to children’s experiences in school and home. This post focuses on attention, the executive function defined as the ability to initiate and maintain focus for learning, work, and behavior control. It is a skill in the cognitive domain of executive functions. Read the article
This article looks at a study that used optogenetics to, “reveal exactly how the motor cortex, which controls movement, can tweak the volume control in the auditory cortex, which interprets sound.” Parents might be interested in this facet of listening as it pertains to their children’s ability to absorb material. Read the article
This article discusses an Australian study that showed children with ADHD were more likely to have struggles with math, reading, and social issues than children without the disorder. The authors found that by second grade, these struggles were more common for children with ADHD, and called for early-identification of these over-lapping issues. Read the article
This post by University of Pennsylvania professor, Scott Barry Kaufman, cites research saying people with ADHD are more likely to “…reach higher levels of creative thought and achievement than people without these characteristics.” Kaufman cautions that those with ADHD are often shut out of Gifted and Talented programs and need to be recognized for their potential. Read the article
This article on WebMD discusses research on the relative benefits of ADHD medication versus talk therapy and takes a look at the fallout of the recommendations from 20 years ago. Read the article
According to this opinion in The New York Times, many researchers believe that young children are being over-diagnosed with ADHD with long-term negative consequences for individual children and society at large. Read the article
This article in The New York Times explains that many pediatricians received insufficient training to diagnose ADHD and what steps are being taken now to remedy the issue. Read the article
This article explains the latest research evaluating the effectiveness of brain training programs for children with ADHD or other attention issues. According to the researcher, "We found that these treatments are not effective for treating children with ADHD. They don't improve ADHD symptoms or behavior, they don't improve academic achievement, and in many cases do not improve the cognitive functions they claim to target." Read the article
This CNN post explores the value of "moving around" in school and explains how the writer found a school for her children that fosters movement. Read the article
This New York Times article presents information on the potential over-diagnosis and over-treatment of ADHD, emphasizing the importance of properly treating those who truly suffer from the condition. Read the article
This New York Times Magazine article highlights the value of mindfulness in improving attention and working memory. However, the article also points to new research indicating there could be "too much of a good thing" when mindfulness interferes with the mind's meandering and creative new ideas. Read the article
This post from the non-profit Child Mind Institute explains why girls with ADHD often go undiagnosed and the potential emotional consequences of a delayed diagnosis. Read the article
This post, from a lawyer with a learning disability, gives sound advice those for those who may feel misunderstood or criticized because of their learning differences. His personal account is followed by a short list of tips to put into practice. Read the article
Gifted kids who have enormous amounts of physical energy are often misunderstood and misidentified, this article says, in part because, "...abundant physical energy is so opposite from the typical image of a gifted learner, it’s shamefully easy to overlook this child’s intelligence and focus only on his behavior." Read the article
Parents considering or using medication for children with ADHD may appreciate this primer from the non-profit Child Mind Institute detailing the types of medications and the related research. Read the article
This cover story from the New Republic is one mother's point of view on the over-diagnosis of what she calls "non-conformist" children. The author looks at popular books and theories about success and takes an interesting, at times skeptical, perspective. Read the article
This blog highlights the cognitive value of "unplugging" and taking time to daydream. Research indicates it can help in the consolidation of learning and improve attention. Read the article
In this controversial story in The Atlantic, the author purports that teachers and schools may be penalizing boys unfairly for appropriate "boy behaviors". As a teacher, she believes schools should find new methods to harness boys' energy rather than simply trying to discipline it. Read the article
According to this article from Mindshift, parents may be justified if they have concerns that their children are too distracted by technology while doing homework. Although multitasking is an important life skill, the article cautions that doing so while learning new things can mean children, "...understand and remember less, and they have greater difficulty transferring their learning to new contexts." Read the article
This article profiles a boy who had problems with homework and other chores but was otherwise well-behaved when doing tasks he enjoyed. He is an example of a child with ADHD who is often not readily understood. "It’s not that kids with ADHD can’t pay attention," the article states, "rather it is inordinately difficult for them to make themselves pay attention." Read the article
This is an intriguing article that looks at the studied differences in male and female brains. Using the basis that symptoms for ADHD present differently because of these differences, the author looked into if the same might be true for children with dyslexia. Read the article
Boys and girls generally present symptoms of ADD or ADHD differently. Although the symptoms of boys are the traditional ones that teachers notice, this brief article describes some of the common symptoms in girls, which may have important consequences. Read the article
The legislation around whether or not children with ADHD qualify for special education services is indisputably confusing. This blog post provides some helpful advice on how to advocate for your child. Read the article
Girls present with ADHD/ADD differently from boys and face different challenges. This blog looks more closely into the topic and provides practical strategies for helping girls with ADHD. Read the article
This article from the National Center for Learning Disabilities tackles the question of whether movement therapy can improve attention in kids with ADHD, Autism and other learning differences. After doing their own research, they believe the answer is no. Read the article
This scientific article validates a common hypothesis that a "short bout of exercise" increases self-control among children and teens. The benefit may come from the increase in blood to the pre-frontal areas of the brain which are responsible for executive functions. Read the article
This short article summarizes the findings of the largest longitudinal study thus far of pre-schoolers diagnosed with ADHD and their conditions with and without medication 6 years later. Read the article
Why do boys get lower grades than girls but score as high or higher on achievement tests? The author of this online opinion piece in The New York Times says it's because grades are based in part on behavior and non-cognitive skills. Read the article
“Schools reward students who consistently do what they are told— and life rewards people who shake things up.” This article explores why schools should be focused on flexible thinking if they want to be ensure college and career readiness. Read the article
Mindprint blog on the FIVE steps to developing creative thinking: foundation, imitation, variation, extension and, finally, transformation. Read the article
Noted educational leader provides his perspective on the problems with the existing educational model. His basic conclusion, "if collectively those involved in the education system changed what it means to achieve in a way that honors the natural diversity of human life, many more people would see themselves as achievers and would push themselves beyond expectations set for them." Read the article
A teacher explores the importance of giving students longer, critical thinking problems and forcing them to spend the time to think through the problems in detail. As he rightly explains, in the real world there are rarely "fast thinking" problems and yet that is the majority of the problem solving students do in school. Read the article
Author Jess Lahey interviews popular Wharton professor and author Adam Grant on how to create environments that encourage originality. The focus is primarily on how to nurture creative students so they do not feel stifled, Read the article
This longitudinal study on mathematically gifted youth suggest that if gifted students receive the appropriate nurturing they are far more likely to have significant success and influence than their typically developing peers. The researchers encourage parents and educators to identify and nurture these exceptionally talented students for the overall betterment of society. Note to readers: Mindprint measures spatial ability, the key differentiating factor that is often unidentified by other tests of giftedness. Read the article
There is a strong positive correlation between time for unorganized play in childhood and creativity in adulthood. While organized sports have their advantages, the author suggests that they be properly balanced with free time. Read the article
While we can't really raise children to be brilliant, there is a lot adults can do to make sure that children develop the critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills that will improve life success. This Mind/Shift previews a book on this topic. Read the article
This blog laments the loss of creativity in schools and provides seven basic ways that schools and teachers can foster creative thinking by altering their perspectives on student behavior and attitudes. Read the article
This author explains the difference between creativity and intellect. He explains how creative geniuses demonstrate strengths in [the skills that Mindprint calls] abstract reasoning, spatial perception and flexible thinking. Read the article
In this Scientific American blog from creativity professor Scott Barry Kaufman, the author contrasts the effort and type of practice required for expertise versus the knowledge and mindset for those who are considered to be creative geniuses. He explains why, after one reaches a certain level of expertise, the development of further expertise and creativity might be in direct conflict. Read the article
This interesting blog from Mind/Shift starts with the inspiring story of the researcher who was dismissed as a learner from an early age. He's now a professor studying imagination. His research shows why the brain's "imagination system" operate only when executive functions are silent, suggesting that creativity and focused attention might be in conflict. Read the article
This lengthy Harvard Education article discusses the ongoing importance, and challenges, of educating students in the skills that aren't measured on standardized tests: empathy, motivation, self-regulation, executive functions, and social skills. Challenges include the lack of universal definitions, relative inadequacies of measurement instruments, and lack of an immediate and direct correlation to achievement. Yet educators know that these are the same skills that often are the most important determinants of life success. The article highlights schools that are making some progress in developing these skills. Read the article
This MindShift post discusses the critical importance of developing questioning skills in the 21st century and laments the reasons that schools do not teacher or foster this habit of mind. Read the article
Our most well read Educated Mom blog discusses how parents might need to take a new approach to discipline when there is a pattern of misbehaving, as the child might simply not have the skills to know how to change on his own. Read the article
In this article, the author explains why it is so critical for adults to adapt their approach to teaching and supporting students in a world where students graduating from high school are expected to learn only"2% of what they will need to know" in the world. He explains why adults must foremost develop students' capacity to engage strategically in their learning without waiting to be directed. Read the article
This Mindshift post details the data-backed decline of creativity both as a population and by individuals. It infers that the existing school culture is the cause of the decline and proposes how schools can reverse the trend. Read the article
This edutopia article provides advice from an experienced college counselor identifying key skills that lead to career success. Adults can easily begin to cultivate these skills as early as kindergarten. Read the article
This opinion column in the Washington Post addresses concerns about emphasizing the importance of science and math at the expense of a liberal arts education. The author explores the backgrounds of some of our country's greatest tech entrepreneurs, all who studied liberal arts. Read the article
Accepting change can be difficult for adults, let alone children. However, some children struggle more than others with new situations. If your child sometimes "gets stuck" this advice from Mindprint's experts could be useful in helping them adapt more easily. Read the article
We love this article on boosting creativity from a University of Pennsylvania researcher. This brief read explains why novel experiences and approaches can help anyone be more creative. Read the article
This post asks us to explore the concept of intelligence more broadly, especially given the importance that intelligence has on life outcomes. The author emphasizes the importance of creative problem solving, or flexible thinking, and the ability to teach this skill in the classroom. Note that Mindprint does assess flexible thinking, but that the research is inconclusive on to what extent this skill, like all cognitive skills, can be taught. Read the article
This blog is part of a series of posts on Mindprint's The Educated Mom that help explain particular cognitive traits and how they relate to children’s experiences in school and home. This post focuses on flexible thinking, an executive function that is the ability to shift thinking in response to a new or unexpected situation. Read the article
This article on flexible thinking is on a website for learning differences, but almost all children struggle with flexible thinking in some capacity. The author provides good generalized strategies to develop your child's flexible thinking, or the ability to try different approaches, and can be of value in all subjects. Read the article
This blog in The Atlantic not only indicates that playing games strengthens executive function, but it also includes the recommendations for games from a psychologist who uses them with patients to better understand their needs. Read the article
This article in EdSurge looks at the relationship between those who study a foreign language and the skills required for coding, a profession, that is predicted to be in ever growing demand. The thinking is that not only will foreign languages prepare students for a global marketplace, but that learning a second language also prepares students to more easily learn programming languages. Read the article
This article looks at cognitive flexibility and its two parts: flexible thinking and set shifting. Parents may find this article useful in better understanding how cognitive flexibility plays an important role in reading, writing, learning a foreign language, learning math, studying, as well as the ability to function well in real-life scenarios. Read the article
This NY Times article highlights new research indicating the importance of spatial reasoning skills in predicting future achievement in math and science related careers. Read the article
This post explains how we may undervalue spatial reasoning skills, yet they can be extremely important for ultimate success in math and science fields. Read the article
This 14 point list from Teach Thought is prefaced by explaining that although every child learns differently, most have the same basic needs to be successful. Read the article
This piece written by an evolutionary psychologist makes a strong case for reducing children's structured activities and providing more opportunities for free play. He believes the limits on free play can explain the rise in mental disorders and the decrease in coveted 21st century skills such as creativity and flexible thinking. Read the article
This New York Times Magazine article highlights the value of mindfulness in improving attention and working memory. However, the article also points to new research indicating there could be "too much of a good thing" when mindfulness interferes with the mind's meandering and creative new ideas. Read the article
This article provides excellent "food for thought" about how education needs to evolve in the digital age and provides suggestions for educators to begin to make that leap. Read the article
This is an interview with a highly sensitive person (HSP), about the advantages and disadvantages of having high sensory perception. Parents of highly sensitive children may find it helpful in better understanding how their children may use their sensitivily in life and work. Read the article
This article provides a wonderful visualization of how the most creative and innovative thinkers may simply be better and "connecting the dots" between known information. The article provides a few simple techniques to enable people to improve this skill. Read the article
This article from Education Week discusses the movement to increase foreign language studies in English-speaking countries, in an effort to keep pace with the multilingualism of the 21st century workplace. Read the article
This blog from Edutopia provides two strategies to engage students who are not typically inclined toward science and math: creativity and metaphors. Read the article
This article from Education Week provides rationale for teaching coding skills to young children, including kindergarteners. Read the article
This MindShift article talks about the qualities that make people creative problem solvers and gives specific methods for preserving and fostering those traits in young people. Read the article
This blog from Mind/Shift advocates the importance of programming and computer science classes, discussing reasons the work prepares students for challenges beyond careers in computer programming. Read the article
This story in The Washington Post features a blog by Lisa Phillips, author of the book, "The Artistic Edge: 7 Skills Children Need to Succeed in an Increasingly Right Brain World," and discusses the broader benefits of arts in education. Read the article
Although art is valuable in its own right, this article from The Washington Post highlights the cognitive and social benefits of studying art, as written about by Lisa Phillips. Read the article
This is an interesting read about "maker" students who build and create of their own inventions. The most successful students were those whose parents had limited subject knowledge but were encouraging, allowing the child to be the leader. Read the article
This blog from Education Week highlights the importance of developing "soft skills" for success in the business world. It also includes "five fundamental mismatches" between what is taught in schools and what is needed, as suggested by Tony Wagner. Read the article
"Where will iPad art take us? And what will we leave behind?" That's what this interesting post on the MindShift blog asks as it looks at how teachers selectively use technology in their art and music classrooms. Read the article
Looking at Nobel-Prize winning scientists as examples, this article advocates for "arts-infused science education," which brings the creative and visualization strengths of the arts to those who study science. Read the article
This blog looks at the conclusions of Yong Zhao, an author and professor of education, who found a correlation between high test scores and lower confidence. Zhao suggests that America's de-centralized approach to education could be the source of the nation's entrepreneurial spirit. Read the article
This post looks at a unique connection between a group of 6th graders and 12th graders on opposite sides of the country. The older students have edited the younger students' writing, a peer relationship that has reportedly had benefits for both groups. Read the article
This article by Tony Wagner, who is considered a leading advocate for 21st Century Skills, provides a solid introduction to his views on how to educate students to be successful innovators in the work place. Read the article
By 2020, there will be 1 million unfilled computer programming jobs, according to this article, which looks at a new series of short films designed to get kids excited about the potential career choice. A link to the film is included.What Do You Think? Read the article
This short post questions the value of multiple-choice questions in a world that demands 21st-century skills and problem-solving. Read the article
While some parents may argue against class participation contributing to a student's grade, this article is a teacher's explanation of why it needs to count. Read the article
This article from Education Week links music training with cognitive skills. The music training is said to, "...increase the neural connections in regions of the brain associated with creativity, decision making, and complex memory, and they may improve a student’s ability to process conflicting information from many senses at once." Read the article
In this blog post, a mother explains how she used some of the principles of Paul Tough's book, How Children Succeed, to help her son learn to handle situations in which he felt bullied or picked on. Read the article
This article from Education Week offers an interesting assessment of the problems with today's foreign language curricula. The author proposes shifting focus to cultural knowledge and verbal communication because of the new global reality. Read the article
This article provides good advice for parents who have a child reluctant to try new things. Most of the tactics are relevant for the elementary school ages, but could be of use with older children. Read the article
A teacher explains why some students can be "overlooked." She offers specific strategies to give all students the time and support they need to learn to speak comfortably in class. Read the article
Understand the role of executive functions in sports, and how to help kids succeed on the field. Read the article
Learn how to be a better listener and why it is so important. While this article is targeted at business executives the lessons apply to everyone. Read the article
This article from Digital Promise explains why learning through multiple senses benefits all learners and guides instructors on how to offer multimodal learning without overloading the senses. Read the article
This article from Understood.org explains the oftentimes difficult to understand issue of information processing in very clear terms. Read the article
No child always listens. However, if you suspect your child has a true listening problem you will want to investigate given the importance of listening for academic performance. Our experts explain what to consider. Read the article
This is a must-read article for all parents of adolescents because it provides a guide on how to parent through a challenging phase. Parents of children with ADHD or other executive function issues will find this article to be of special value, given what we now understand about the brain during this period of growth. Read the article
This article looks at a study that used optogenetics to, “reveal exactly how the motor cortex, which controls movement, can tweak the volume control in the auditory cortex, which interprets sound.” Parents might be interested in this facet of listening as it pertains to their children’s ability to absorb material. Read the article
This is a useful post on information processing disorders, typically categorized as either visual or auditory in nature. The article notes that information processing disorders may not in and of themselves be categorized as learning disabilities but are often at the root of learning difficulties. Read the article
This article from Inc. magazine is directed at grown-ups but can be useful to students, especially middle to high school students who may find it difficult to listen and absorb new information. Read the article
Considering children spend less than 15% of their time in school, this article says, it's no wonder parental involvement and interaction is key to long-term academic success. This story highlights the research into how speaking with our children (two-way conversations, topics discussed) contributes to their development in significant and surprising ways. Read the article
This article explains how significant struggles in learning a foreign language may be symptomatic of an otherwise undiagnosed learning difference in Reading, Writing or Listening. The article also highlights techniques to help cope with some of the issues that arise. Read the article
This article from NPR summarizes a longer research study published in Child Psychology about behavior. The study found the ability of young people to argue confidently and calmly had larger benefits. Effective arguing acted as something of an inoculation against negative peer pressure. Kids who felt confident to express themselves to their parents also felt confident being honest with their friends. Read the article
This brief Scholastic article provides some age and personality-related perspective on childhood impulsivity. It include age-appropriate suggestions for parents to help their children manage this important life skill. Read the article
This article in the Boston Globe explores whether schools' investments in helping bolster executive functions is paying dividends in increased math and reading scores. The short answer is there is no supporting evidence yet that it does. But the research is still new and the measurement tools of executive functions are not robust. Read the article
This blog from Understood.org explains what is meant by executive functions and how weaknesses can prove troublesome for adolescents. The good news is that even those students with weaker executive functions can and often do catch up to their peers, but it is important to help a child in the interim. Read the article
Children are not born with good organizational skills. However, if your child is showing signs of poor organization by the start of middle school parents will want to take action. Our experts explain why. Read the article
This blog from non-profit Edge Foundation provides insight into the specific challenges for girls with ADHD. In this interview, a child psychologist explains the different symptoms and experiences among girls given the lower diagnosis rates and less obvious symptoms. Read the article
This is a must-read article for all parents of adolescents because it provides a guide on how to parent through a challenging phase. Parents of children with ADHD or other executive function issues will find this article to be of special value, given what we now understand about the brain during this period of growth. Read the article
Setting the intention to manage one's time is a first step for anyone hoping to work effectively. This article is intended for teens with learning differences but is useful for anyone. Read the article
This is an important article for all families, although it was written to specifically address the problems students with learning disabilities experience in college. Many of the strategies might be best implemented before any child heads off to college, including the ability to advocate for oneself. Read the article
This article from the National Center or Learning Disabilities explains how parents may assume a child is lazy or unmotivated when the real problem could be executive dysfunction. Read the article
NPR explains the importance of teaching kids self-regulation or "identifying the causes and reducing the intensity of impulses and, when necessary, having the energy to resist." In other words, adults need to accept that every child will experience the world differently. It is the adults' job to give students the coping skills they need to keep calm and focus on what is important. Read the article
Edutopia provides seven useful strategies for teachers to model and develop critical self-reflection skills. Read the article
A child psychologist explains why self-awareness is so important for meaningful relationships and life experiences. Written for parents, she provides 10 practical ways parents can support development of self-awareness. Read the article
Edutopia explains why it is just as important for teachers to have growth mindset as students. It provides a structure for teachers to incorporate growth mindset into their own experiences and practices. Read the article
This EdCircuit commentary, written by Mindprint Founder Nancy Weinstein, explains how cognitive data can effectively power personalized learning in ways that cannot be done without accurate, objective data. Read the article
Mind/Shift identifies eight criteria that lead to truly authentic student engagement (not just compliance). It places an emphasis on emotions, social skills and critical thinking. Read the article
Why it is important to know how a child learns best if you want to help a student develop a growth mindset. Read the article
Edutopia explains why social-emotional learning is such an important part of the learning process. It provides examples of how teachers can develop emotional skills even if their school does not have a formal curriculum or training. Read the article
Learn about the benefits of testing, when administered in the right spirit. They can increase self-awareness, improve retention, deepen learning, and improve students' ability to handle performance pressure. Read the article
Metacognition, or thinking about one's thinking, is the most effective learning strategy. Learn how it can be supported and developed in all students. Read the article
Mind/Shift explores the importance of developing self-control, or delayed gratification, for long-term life success. It provides strategies to develop these skills and even explores the history of Walter Mischel's Marshmallow Test. Read the article
In this blog, Mind/Shift explains why we all have an innate bias toward remembering negative events over positive ones and the explicit actions we can take to improve our outlook. The author explains why this can be an important part of improved academic outcomes, and particularly helpful for those students with weaker executive functions. Read the article
Superb article from Mind/Shift on why metacognition (thinking about your thinking) matters, how it develops by age, and how teachers can support metacognition in the classroom. Read the article
This lengthy Harvard Education article discusses the ongoing importance, and challenges, of educating students in the skills that aren't measured on standardized tests: empathy, motivation, self-regulation, executive functions, and social skills. Challenges include the lack of universal definitions, relative inadequacies of measurement instruments, and lack of an immediate and direct correlation to achievement. Yet educators know that these are the same skills that often are the most important determinants of life success. The article highlights schools that are making some progress in developing these skills. Read the article
This brief Scholastic article provides some age and personality-related perspective on childhood impulsivity. It include age-appropriate suggestions for parents to help their children manage this important life skill. Read the article
In this article, the author explains why it is so critical for adults to adapt their approach to teaching and supporting students in a world where students graduating from high school are expected to learn only"2% of what they will need to know" in the world. He explains why adults must foremost develop students' capacity to engage strategically in their learning without waiting to be directed. Read the article
This MindShift article explains how to optimize teaching new material: sufficiently challenging to make it interesting yet without excessive cognitive load. In a few paragraphs the author, Annie Murphy Paul, provides an understandable, contextual scientific rationale. Read the article
Metacognition, the ability to think about one’s own learning process, is a skill that has proven benefits. This post is written for teachers, but parents and students can use the tips on how to foster metacognition and “drive their own brains” to more effective learning. Read the article
Good self-monitoring skills can be the difference between a good student and a great student. Mindprint's experts explain why self-monitoring matters and how you might help your child improve these skills. Read the article
This simple list is packed with information on how emotions, both positive and negative, can impact learning. People in general, but kids in particular, need to be in the right frame of mind to perform at their best. While the author simplifies the explanations, they all have a basis in solid research. Read the article
There is plenty of research demonstrating the importance metacognition holds for deeper learning. This blog from edutopia is directed at teachers but can hold equal importance to parents. It provides a clear explanation of metacognition followed by very practical examples of how to foster the skill. Read the article
Metacognition, or knowing you think, feel or act, is an essential component of efficient learning. This post from a developmental psychologist does a great job explaining why metacognition matters and practical advice for helping students improve metacognition in the classroom and at home. Read the article
This article on flexible thinking is on a website for learning differences, but almost all children struggle with flexible thinking in some capacity. The author provides good generalized strategies to develop your child's flexible thinking, or the ability to try different approaches, and can be of value in all subjects. Read the article
This post looks at what educators can learn about children and how best to reach them through the study of how individuals seek help. As one expert in the article says, “Help-seeking is actually part of the process of self-regulation.” Much can be learned when the act of seeking help, or not seeking it, is put in the larger context of how the child is able to processes what he or she needs to know. Read the article
This article looks at cognitive flexibility and its two parts: flexible thinking and set shifting. Parents may find this article useful in better understanding how cognitive flexibility plays an important role in reading, writing, learning a foreign language, learning math, studying, as well as the ability to function well in real-life scenarios. Read the article
This is an interesting article about how students seek assistance when they do not understand a lesson or homework. The act of “help-seeking” is both academic and social, and both parents and educators can benefit by understanding some of the underlying issues students confront when seeking help or feeling reluctant to do so. Read the article
This article highlights how students need different approaches to learning for two primary reasons. The first is that "one size does not fit all" and children learn better from different approaches. The second is highlighted by a metaphor: just as we best maintain physical health through a variety of foods and exercises, we need a variety of learning opportunities and subjects to optimize learning. Read the article
This article looks at the arguments of Dr. Daniel Siegel, a psychiatrist at UCLA, makes in his book, Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain. Dr. Siegel uses neuroscience to explain the positive and important aspects of typical teenage brain development when, he says, "Life is on fire." Read the article
This article emphasizes the importance of teaching students self-regulation strategies early in life. Self-regulation includes patience, sharing, and other appropriate social behaviors. Studies show that young children who learn appropriate strategies ultimately perform better in school and in life. Read the article
This brief post provides key information every parent and every student should know about brain development. The article also gives easy-to-implement tips (drink lots of water) that will build self-confidence and self-awareness. Read the article
This article provides excellent "food for thought" about how education needs to evolve in the digital age and provides suggestions for educators to begin to make that leap. Read the article
This post highlights the importance of metacognition, or awareness of how you learn, in students' performance. A useful list of questions students can ask themselves about how they learn may help some cope more effectively with school work. Read the article
This article in The New York Times takes a look at new research in neuroscience and the effort to improve the emotional intelligence of children. Can a higher emotional IQ lead to academic and life-long success? Read the article
This blog post explores the benefits of self-directed learning, a method used in some private schools. This curriculum relies on children's natural curiosity to guide them and uses natural, every day experiences. The article claims that this type of learning environment can work for almost all children, even those who need structure. Read the article
In this Edutopia article, a former neurologist gives a clear explanation of Executive Function in the context of brain development and the skills required by an ever-changing world. Read the article
This article from Education Week looks at a new and slightly confusing trend to watch: Personal Learning Environments, or PLEs. The goal is to give student a place to collect the online and traditional forms of content they receive into one place. Read the article
How do teachers keep students engaged in school? This teacher, co-author of "The Passion Driven Classroom," has some ideas parents may find valuable. Read the article
This scientific article validates a common hypothesis that a "short bout of exercise" increases self-control among children and teens. The benefit may come from the increase in blood to the pre-frontal areas of the brain which are responsible for executive functions. Read the article
This article from Education Week links music training with cognitive skills. The music training is said to, "...increase the neural connections in regions of the brain associated with creativity, decision making, and complex memory, and they may improve a student’s ability to process conflicting information from many senses at once." Read the article
This article from the National Center or Learning Disabilities explains how parents may assume a child is lazy or unmotivated when the real problem could be executive dysfunction. Read the article
Mind/Shift explains why multi-modal reinforcement, or gestures in learning, is so effective, along with specific examples of how teachers use gestures in a variety of classroom settings. Read the article
This lengthy research article goes into details on the different sub-categories of executive functions, how they are measured, and how deficits in these skills can affect learning, behavior and life skills. Table 1 provides research on life challenges when executive function deficits are not addressed. Read the article
This Mindprint blog suggests the best flashcard apps along with the strategies to use them so students memorize quicker. Read the article
A cognitive psychologist provides a clear explanation of the difference between long and short-term memory and why they are both important. Read the article
Mind/Shift highlights the importance of working memory in efficient learning. While not all students need working memory training, one program has shown positive impacts on reading scores. Read the article
This Learning Scientists blog has two key takeaways. It emphasizes the effectiveness of retrieval practice as an effective retention strategy. It also shows that data on students' underlying cognitive skills, in this case working memory, can predict which students will see the most benefit from specific interventions. Read the article
Understand the differences between learning and remembering, and why remembering could be the root cause of test anxiety among many capable students. Read the article
This article from Digital Promise explains why learning through multiple senses benefits all learners and guides instructors on how to offer multimodal learning without overloading the senses. Read the article
This teacher's blog explores the scientifically documented cognitive load theory from a teacher's perspective. The explanation is concise but explains the importance of knowing how much any student can handle to learn efficiently. Read the article
This article from renowned researcher Daniel Willingham explains what students are most likely to remember of what they learn in school. And why. He explains how memory and recall work and why we actually remember more than we might realize. Read the article
This excellent guide from two UK professors explains how students use working memory in learning, why it is important for teachers to support students with weaker working, and provides concrete examples of straight-forward accommodations. If after reading this you have concerns about a student's working memory, the Mindprint assessment effectively analyzes a student's working memory and will give a broader set of support options. Read the article
This MindShift article explains how to optimize teaching new material: sufficiently challenging to make it interesting yet without excessive cognitive load. In a few paragraphs the author, Annie Murphy Paul, provides an understandable, contextual scientific rationale. Read the article
In this Atlantic article, renowned educational research Daniel Willingham explains the differences between working and episodic memory as well as fluid and crystallized intelligence (though he doesn't call them out by name). He uses these explanations to demonstrate the importance of choosing and structuring the delivery of curriculum so that students not only learn what is important but also are more likely to remember it. Read the article
This article in Scientific American explains that testing, when done correctly, can be the most effective way to improve retention. Read the article
This bi-weekly Mindprint newsletter describes the different types of memory that determine how students learn and remember information. It provides links to strategies to help with visual memory, verbal memory and working memory. Read the article
This Q & A on Understood.org does an excellent job explaining the different types of memory and why a child may easily remember some types of information but struggle with others. Read the article
There are more types of memory than you can count on your fingers, and each plays a different role in academic performance. Our experts explain the differences and what parents can do if they suspect a memory weakness. Read the article
This article provides explains research studies that clearly demonstrate that students learn and remember far better if they take notes by hand rather than typing. While the trend is towards electronic note-taking, parents and teachers should encourage handwritten notes for students who do not have a motor or other weakness that would justify electronic note-taking. Read the article
This excellent article explain how students learn and memorize and discusses specific practices that help/hinder solidify learning and improve recall. All the explanations are grounded in scientific research and easy to implement with directed focus. Read the article
This article explores how children with autism, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities use long-term memory to compensate for some of their weaknesses. For those who have strong memory, the article provides insight into how to use this strength in treatment. Read the article
This blog from edutopia explains the critical role of working memory in learning. Working memory is becoming an even more important cognitive skill as schools move away from rote memorization. Read the article
This blog is part of a series of posts on Mindprint's The Educated Mom that help explain particular cognitive traits and how they relate to children’s experiences in school and home. This post focuses on working memory, the ability to keep information in the memory and retrieve it efficiently to problem solve. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog takes a hard look at multitasking, with a special focus on the book Cyber Overload by Dr. Joanne Cantor. Despite our best hopes, the truth is clear: human minds were not designed to multitask. The sooner you incorporate this concept and help your children do the same, the better. Easier said than done, we know. Read the article
This post examines techniques some actors use in memorization. Parents may consider trying some of these techniques with their children, particularly the more "theatrically-minded". Read the article
This article from The Atlantic provides an argument in favor of frequent, formative teacher assessments (not standardized tests). The argument is that testing requires students to draw on analytical reasoning and memory which reinforces long-term memorization. Read the article
This lengthy article from well known professor and researcher Daniel Willingham delves into the details of how students memorize information for school. He offers research-based explanations for why some methods work and others do not, and specific strategies students may want to try. Read the article
While parents should allow children to choose and develop the study habits that are most effective, current research shows that most students will process and remember information much better if they take handwritten notes rather than type them. Read the article
This blog provides interesting research showing why it's important to keep practicing and learning even after you know material. The extra practice will make the work "a part of you," freeing your mind to do other activities. Read the article
This blog post by a neurologist and educator is designed for teachers but may be useful for parents who would like to know more about the development of intelligence and memory in growing children. Read the article
Instead of looking at "learning styles" this post looks at what is described as a more scientifically proven distinction among learners: working memory. Strategies to reduce distractions and intrusive thoughts on the memory, can free it for cognitive processes and the acquisition of new material. Read the article
This is a good critical review of the research on brain training from Scientific American. The author says that the broad claims of success from such training are probably exaggerated, but there is evidence that brain training could help some people improve working memory, an important cognitive skill. Read the article
This article from Education Week links music training with cognitive skills. The music training is said to, "...increase the neural connections in regions of the brain associated with creativity, decision making, and complex memory, and they may improve a student’s ability to process conflicting information from many senses at once." Read the article
This article focuses on the prevalence of exceptional working memory among prodigies. Working memory, the part of memory that enables you to remember and apply information, may be one of the areas of ability most improved with practice. Read the article
Huffington Post provides great advice if you have a child who struggles with transitions, adjustments or separation anxiety. Read the article
US News provides data on the increasing prevalence of anxiety and depression in college students. It offers cautionary advice for parents and their teens to assure they receive the services they need when the go to college. Read the article
This blog provides guidance for parents to ensure the school year gets off to a good start. Learn when and how to check-in with your kids to keep them on track in September and beyond. Read the article
Guidance for parents to support teens during a transition that can be challenging for parents and kids alike. Read the article
Our most well read Educated Mom blog discusses how parents might need to take a new approach to discipline when there is a pattern of misbehaving, as the child might simply not have the skills to know how to change on his own. Read the article
There is no best way to explain tragedy to children. A parent's approach needs to depend on the child's temperament, the nature of the event, and the child's age. This blog from Common Sense Media provides some simple advice by age group. Read the article
Knowing how to help a highly sensitive child through life's ups and downs can be extremely challenging. This article provides helpful strategies parents might want to adopt. Read the article
This Mindprint newsletter explains why students with weaker flexible thinking may struggle with the lack of routine over vacation. It provides a strategies to bolster children's flexibility and adaptability. Read the article
Accepting change can be difficult for adults, let alone children. However, some children struggle more than others with new situations. If your child sometimes "gets stuck" this advice from Mindprint's experts could be useful in helping them adapt more easily. Read the article
This blog on KIPP schools' website identifies ten colleges that provide special programs to help ease the transition for low income students to college. Many colleges have similar programs for students with specific needs, and students may want to seriously factor such a program into their college selection process. Read the article
This brief article from Harvard's Graduate School of Education explains the key elements of environment and disposition which enables some children to succeed despite trauma or failure while others struggle. Fortunately, the prescriptions work and can be used to support all children. Read the article
This Educated Mom post provides excellent advice for parents and students who are about to enter middle school. Among the tips provided by an experienced teacher and mother is the focus on sending students off to this transitional experience with a firm understanding of their own family’s values. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog looks at the transition to high school, and provides valuable insight into the transition, one of the rockiest academically for many. The post shares some 9th grade memories of the Mindprint team, as well. Read the article
This post offers advice for teachers on how to help students manage those difficult transitions to middle and high school. Although written for teachers, many of the suggestions may be helpful during the summer months. Read the article
This article provides good advice for parents who have a child reluctant to try new things. Most of the tactics are relevant for the elementary school ages, but could be of use with older children. Read the article
The stress of living in poverty can have long-term impact on children’s brain development, most particularly executive functions, without intervention. Please contact Mindprint if you'd like to learn more about how we can help you identify which students are struggling the most and how best to support them. Read the article
This NYT Magazine article uses personal stories to do a deep dive into the increasing rates of severe anxiety among teens in middle class and affluent households. Read the article
Child Mind Institute explains why anxiety is often misunderstood as ADHD, bad behavior, or OCD. Anxiety often needs to be treated first, even if there is another concurrent condition. Read the article
Edutopia explains how trauma can interfere with learning. In this context, the author broadly defines trauma as not only abuse or neglect but also tired, hungry, worried, rejected, or extended feelings of isolation, worry, angst, and fear. She explains the science and provides three strategies to support students. Read the article
The edvocate explains the neurological causes of why some students experience a "brain freeze" during an exam. It provides strategies on how to prevent them, including a few stress relieving techniques and the importance of preparation. Read the article
Read this interesting research on 6th graders from affluent families. It shows that parents who emphasize achievement over kindness have children with higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower self-esteem. Importantly, these children did not have higher achievement than peers whose parents emphasized kindness. Read the article
Understand the physical mechanisms of how anxiety interferes with the mind's attention system and affects objectivity and awareness. It is important for students with struggling with anxiety to understand how their perspective might be altered and why they might need to lean on others for judgment. Read the article
The NY Times explores a new intervention to combat the growing social stress levels among high school and college students: helping them understand that people can change. It sounds simple, and it is. The initial research is promising albeit limited. Read the article
Huffington Post provides great advice if you have a child who struggles with transitions, adjustments or separation anxiety. Read the article
Suicide is a troubling topic at any age, but perhaps the most difficult to accept when it affects teens. NPR explains what researchers know about the causes so hopefully more teen teen suicides can be prevented. Read the article
US News provides data on the increasing prevalence of anxiety and depression in college students. It offers cautionary advice for parents and their teens to assure they receive the services they need when the go to college. Read the article
Understand the differences between learning and remembering, and why remembering could be the root cause of test anxiety among many capable students. Read the article
The WSJ explains the neurological changes in the brain during adolescence and, as such, the changing social and emotional behaviors parents should expect in their tweens and teens. Read the article
The Week wrote this for adults but its lessons will easily apply to students who are struggling with anxiety or loss. The article explains how writing about your feelings for as little as 20 minutes a day for four consecutive days can have a meaningful beneficial impact on emotional well-being. Read the article
This article explores the potential danger of being an authentic perfection, including the real potential for self-harm. The article warns that perfectionism can be passed on to children and gives specific advice to help parents avoid instilling perfectionism tendencies in their children. Read the article
In this MindShift interview with author Denise Pope, the writer discusses the stress students at elite schools feel and the detrimental impact on learning and behavior. Read the article
This article encourages adults to help students accept and embrace stress rather than avoid it and explains why this is so much more beneficial. Read the article
If you have a child with recurring anxiety that is interfering with everyday activities, it might be time to seek some outside help from a trained therapist. However, these nine strategies are well worth trying as you look for ways to support your child. Read the article
This edutopia article acknowledges the well-established downsides of too much stress for children. However, it focuses on the physical and emotional positive aspects of stress and explains how adults might help students embrace the benefits of moderate stress. A valuable read for all parents and educators at a time of increasingly high levels of stress and other emotional and social disorders among adolescents. Read the article
This Atlantic article explores the increasing amounts of stress reported among students at elite private high schools. The article confirms parents' suspicions that high school is indeed more stressful than when they were kids. And though it does not provide solutions, it emphasizes the importance of helping kids manage stress to avoid the negative long-term impacts of chronic stress. Read the article
Everyone experiences anxiety at times, but when anxiety begins to interfere with normal routines parents may need to intervene. In this brief post, Mindprint's experts discuss the causes of anxiety and possible interventions. Read the article
The title of this blog from the Child Mind Institute is self-explanatory. The key takeaway is that if you want to act quickly if you suspect a child is suffering from an anxiety disorder. Read the article
This is an excellent explanation of "hidden anxiety" in the classroom from the Child Mind Institute. Teachers may need to look beyond some disruptive behavior, poor performance, or frequent visits to the nurse's office to detect a child suffering from anxiety. Read the article
A parent recognizing a child needs help for anxiety or depression will be insufficient if the child resists treatment. This blog from Child Mind Institute identifies some of the reasons teens might refuse to see someone and several approaches parents can take to make sure the child gets the help he or she needs. Read the article
Unfortunately, suicide in teens is a very real topic. This article from the Child Mind Institute has essential information for any adult who suspects they know a child suffering from severe depression. Read the article
This article dives into the explanations why chronic stress can have significant, long-term negative effects on learning. While stress in today's high-pressured environments may be unavoidable, this article from Great Schools makes parents aware of the potential damage and suggests ways to mitigate impacts in growing adolescents. Read the article
This helpful article includes interviews with three child psychologists about their observations on anxiety in children with learning disabilities. The psychologists provide insight into how children perceive their "differences" and common age-dependent responses that parents should look out for. Read the article
This booklet is designed for parents and students to understand test anxiety and develop coping strategies. The booklet is written for students, but we recommend parents read through it first and decide if they want to selectively share the strategies they believe will work best for their child. Read the article
This is an out outstanding overview of techniques to employ when things get scary for children, from unsettling natural disasters to horrific events in the news. The detailed post has three major categories for parents: model good coping skills, reassure, and support. Read the article
The Child Mind Institute explains how Cognitive Behavior Therapy can help children cope with the issue of anxiety. As a form of treatment that does not rely on medication, it is considered an effective approach in many cases. Read the article
After the disappearnace of Mylassian flight 370, The Educated Mom wrote an Op-Ed for The Washington Post about “hiding the news” from kids. This post looks at how to handle troubling news children may hear about while at school, and how schools might communicate with families about what has been discussed during the school day when such tragedies occur. Read the article
This is a Q&A with a woman who brought The Race to Nowhere to her community. Those who are familiar with the themes of the film, or who are concerned about the state of student burnout, may find this of particular interest. Read the article
This article comes from a child psychologist who suffered from childhood depression. She provides seven ideas that parents should share and discuss with a child they believe is suffering to help them understand and help mitigate their feelings of depression. Read the article
This blog in The New York Times gives one mother's perspective on when to discuss tragedies with children, which she believes should be an ongoing process. Read the article
This article presents evidence of the causal relationship between a lack of sleep among teens and the likelihood of depression. Read the article
This NPR story discusses the role parents play in managing a child's anxiety. It makes a case for cognitive behavior therapy for students with more severe anxiety. Read the article
This author provides some background on the increasing levels of stress and anxiety among teens and adolescents. He provides four succinct ways to help children put stressors in perspective. Read the article
This blog provides a thorough explanation of how teaching "mindfulness" can help a variety of adolescent concerns and potentially improve academic performance. Read the article
This blog from PsychCentral provides concrete advice for parents as they help children cope with stress and become more resilient. Read the article
This article describes initiatives to bring programs in mindfulness, or meditation, to schools to benefit the school community and students. Parents with children who experience anxiety, attention or behavioral issues may find the work and research described useful. Read the article
This blog post helps parents identify the signs of depression in teens, which may help distinguish it from what is seen as "laziness", or lack of motivation. Read the article
This brief post from Education Week looks at a study published in the journal Behavior and Brain Functions, which showed a higher level of math anxiety in girls. Read the article
This article from PsychCentral provides links for parents who wonder if their child may have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Read the article
This is a helpful read for parents who want to help a child they believe suffers from excessive test anxiety. This short post is adapted from the author's article in Time Magazine. Read the article
This blog post on Edutopia was inspired by the Newtown shootings but has relevance to every parent and teacher in contact with a child suffering an emotional loss. The article brings to light the important role teachers can play in helping a grieving student. Read the article
This blog looks at a recent interview with the co-authors of Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing. It's a must read for parents interested in how to instill a healthy sense of risk-taking in their children. Read the article
This article looks at eight common "thought holes" and uses some tactics of cognitive therapy to give adults straightforward tools that may help children view situations with more rational awareness. Read the article
Math anxiety is common, can start in the early years and has a negative impact on those who suffer from it. This article is a useful reminder for parents and teachers that they can help students overcome the self-sabatoge and gain confidence in their skills and abilities to cope. Read the article
This short article on pressure and stress looks at the philosophy and writings of well-respected psychologist Ellen Braaten. One key takeaway she says is that, "...every child should have one hour of unstructured free time for every hour of structured extracurricular activities." Read the article
It would be difficult not to love this post on how humor can engage children and deepen their learning.The next time you or your child are getting frustrated, re-read this article for some healthy perspective. Read the article
This article from Education Week encourages parents to appreciate that growing up "takes time" and to not to rush children or over-emphasize academics at the expense of rites-of-passage. Read the article
This article provides the scientific explanation of how emotions such as depression, anxiety and self-control affect the brain and, as a consequence, learning and academic performance. Read the article
This post is written by a woman who had insomnia as a child--later diagnosed as a symptom of Bipolar II. She describes the extremes of fatigue and mania, and how they affected her daily routine until treated. Read the article
This NY Times blog highlights the key points in a longer magazine piece, providing sound advice to help children cope with test anxiety. Read the article
These ten steps to help children deal with anxiety are excerpted from the blogger's book, Make Your Worrier a Warrior: A Guide to Conquering Your Child's Fears. Read the article
This article provides a very brief overview of cognitive behavioral therapy, a strategy to counter the type of thinking that produces anxiety or depression. For the child who expects bad things to happen, magnifies small negative events, ignores positive ones or views situations in black and white, this type of intervention can be effective, but it requires effort from both the parents and the child. Read the article
This article provides more data proving the value of play in developing important social, emotional and thinking skills. The author quotes one expert as saying: The opposite of play is not work. It’s depression. Read the article
This article from Psych Central explains the importance of understanding the root cause of a child's boredom. The author looks at a study that identifies five types of boredom and explains why some require more prompt attention than others. Read the article
A recent study suggests that some people with anxiety may perform better if they are told to "get excited" rather than to "calm down". While this research is relatively new, parents and teachers may want to try this approach with some students. Read the article
Child psychiatrist Dr. Laura Kastner explains the importance of re-defining male stereotypes to support the emotional well-being of boys. This article links to excellent resources on the subject of boys and emotions. Read the article
This excellent Washington Post article by Phyllis Fagell helps parents understand what they need to do when they notice a change in their child's academic or school behavior. The author does an excellent job providing solutions for the most common situations parents might face. Read the article
The Learning Scientists blog explains why people develop "Facebook envy" which can lead to depression. This is a real phenomenon and an important aspect of social media that parents will want to monitor. Read the article
Child Mind Institute explains why anxiety is often misunderstood as ADHD, bad behavior, or OCD. Anxiety often needs to be treated first, even if there is another concurrent condition. Read the article
Realistically, if a teacher calls for an unscheduled meeting about your child the likelihood is that there is a concern about your child's behavior or grades. This helpful blog explains why the best thing you can do for your child is to maintain a positive attitude throughout the meeting and how to keep your positive mindset. Read the article
The Washington Post explores how women might respond differently from men in the workplace and encourages six behaviors that might help young girls develop into stronger, more self-confident women. Read the article
Mind/Shift provides constructive advice for parents to support bullied children without "over-stepping" boundaries. Read the article
Edutopia makes a case for social-emotional education in schools. It provides five reasons against it and the counter-argument in favor. Read the article
The NY Times explores a new intervention to combat the growing social stress levels among high school and college students: helping them understand that people can change. It sounds simple, and it is. The initial research is promising albeit limited. Read the article
Learn about the "mean girl" social dynamics, and why most girls get caught up in this behavior. It offers potential ways to minimize mean girl behavior. Read the article
The WSJ explains the neurological changes in the brain during adolescence and, as such, the changing social and emotional behaviors parents should expect in their tweens and teens. Read the article
Child Mind Institute explains the social reasons why girls apologize more than boys and the impact it can have on others' perceptions of them, and, over time, their own self-esteem. The article provides some potential remedies as well. Read the article
Mind/Shift explores the importance of developing self-control, or delayed gratification, for long-term life success. It provides strategies to develop these skills and even explores the history of Walter Mischel's Marshmallow Test. Read the article
This is an important read from edutopia about the importance of discussing equity issues as young as elementary school. Children absorb these issues in their environment as young as age 3. The article provides specific approaches for adults to address these sensitive topics with young children. Read the article
This letter from a mom, who also happens to be a licensed social worker and former principal, offers perspective on how to develop our children's understanding of race, social equity and empathy. Read the article
This interview with author Susan Cain who has become the voice for dispelling myths about introverts and how to support introverted students in learning environments. If you are a teacher or have an introverted child, you will find her insight quite helpful. Read the article
Our most well read Educated Mom blog discusses how parents might need to take a new approach to discipline when there is a pattern of misbehaving, as the child might simply not have the skills to know how to change on his own. Read the article
This succinct blog by one child psychologist summarizes the work of another, emphasizing the 8 key qualities at the core of our inner compass and the 7 practices of nurturing adults that enable adolescents to flourish. Read the article
In this article, a child psychologist acknowledges that avoiding childhood exposure to media violence is impractical. However, she provides suggestions to mitigate the effects and recognize the impacts. Read the article
This article from the Huffing Post is a helpful read for parents to understand how their teenagers may be responding to social media. Discussing this article may be one way to work with children to have a healthier perspective about what they read online. Read the article
We love this article from Great Schools which describes how bullies get and use their power. It explains the important role of bystanders and why adults need make sure that they do not allow their child to inadvertently enable the bullying. Read the article
No parent wants to believe their child is poorly behaved. However, sometimes a child can have a real struggle that is manifesting in bad behavior. Mindprint experts discuss behavior problems that could be rooted in other issues. Read the article
This is an excellent explanation of "hidden anxiety" in the classroom from the Child Mind Institute. Teachers may need to look beyond some disruptive behavior, poor performance, or frequent visits to the nurse's office to detect a child suffering from anxiety. Read the article
This lengthy article provides an in-depth explanation of the teenage brain. While neuroscience should make us optimistic that children can experience significant growth throughout adolescence, the warning is the possibility that teens who engage in risky behaviors, are subjected to stress, or who simply fail to continue to read and learn, can experience irreversible cognitive decline relative to peers. Read the article
This article (and site) can be a good resource for parents who want to help their daughters navigate friendships through the adolescent years. The author provides advice on how to help children cope with the loss of friendships. Read the article
This brief post written by a child therapist provides specific strategies to help a child deal with anger. Many of the strategies help teach the child how to better manage his or her feelings, but some involve shifts in how parents can shift their responses and behaviors. Read the article
No parent wants to raise a narcissist, but this story in The LA Times looks at a study that showed that parents who "overvalued" their children were cultivating narcissistic behavior. The researchers are quick to point out that parents should still encourage high self-esteem. Read the article
The social impacts of an attention disorder can often be overlooked with all the emphasis placed on helping a child face the academic challenges. Children with attention weaknesses could be disliked for reasons they don't fully understand. While this post by a child psychologist raises some discouraging statistics, parents who are aware of the challenges can provide the appropriate coaching and support to help children avoid some predictable pitfalls. Read the article
This post in HuffPost Parents looks at a study from the American Sociological Review that suggests that larger schools, with more choice for electives and friends, result in cliques based on the students’ similarities. The study speaks to the misconception that a large school population, by virtue of its size, leads to a diverse peer group of friends. Read the article
The Atlantic cautions adults about the link between increased use of social media and increased prevalence in social anxiety among teens. While social media undoubtedly helps some, the researcher says that “Now young people can’t look you in the eye, they get antsy talking to you in person." The article explores all the negative consequences of social anxiety. Read the article
This is a transcript as well as audio recording of an interview with Alan Kazdin, a professor of child psychology at Yale University and author of several books. He answers questions not only about disciplining children effectively, but also about the mental health system, and how parents can best find help for their children. Read the article
This blog post looks at a new study in American Sociological Review that seeks to explain the factors that contribute to cliques in high schools. Magnet schools, or those focused with “fewer people and less academic choice” create an environment in which students are forced, “…to mingle more with dissimilar peers.” Read the article
Is it an innocent act of parental pride when parents wave to their children during a school assembly or performance? Or when they record or photograph concerts even if doing so blocks the views of those behind them? This Educated Mom post speaks not only to the topics of parental behavior, common courtesies and etiquette, but also to the larger implication these behaviors have on student confidence and performance. Read the article
What do teenaged girls want to wear to school? How are their clothing choices connected to body image and self-esteem? This Educated Mom blog looks at the complicated issues related to the seemingly simple question: what should I wear today? Read the article
This is part II of the Educated Mom coverage of raising teens. We hear from another parent who offers useful advice for those with teenagers. Read the article
This post in the Educated Mom includes advice from parents of teenagers, who offer perspective on how to gently and successfully parent children through the sensitive and important phase of adolescence while maintaining trust and mutual respect. Read the article
Looking for a song to listen to with the kids that’s got a good message, fun to sing along with, and will help them feel confident? This Educated Mom blogs looks at the Song, “Bully, Bully” by Shine and the Moonbeams. Featured on NPR, the lead singer has had a career in musicals as well as in education and will add some pizzazz to your time in the car. Read the article
The Educated Mom post checks in with child psychologist, Wendy Matthews, to get some pointers on how parents can evaluate their children’s readiness to “walk alone” to school or in their neighborhoods. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog looks at the term, pluralistic ignorance, which is a helpful term for parents of teens, in particular. The post cites a study on student drinking done at Princeton University. While peer pressure is doing something because one’s peers are doing it, pluralistic ignorance is doing something because you assume others are doing it (even if they are not). Read the article
This blog post from The Educated Mom looks at the question of “redshirting” young children, a practice of holding them back a year before starting kindergarten. While increasingly popular, the practice is not recommended by neuroscientist Sam Wang, who suggests that children learn best when motivated by peers who are slightly ahead of them and that it is time spent in school that makes children succeed. Read the article
Many parents struggle with finding the right level of child discipline. This post from The Huffington Post provides some advice on how to set appropriate limits with some thoughtful pointers that go beyond the cliche. Read the article
This blog from the Huffington Post provides advice on how to approach a child's defiant behavior. As many parents know, the solution is neither to give in nor to be inflexible, but more nuanced. Read the article
This blog post provides parents with food for thought on why a child might lie and as well as productive approaches to deal with a potentially chronic problem. Read the article
This post offers interesting recommendations from a psychologist who works primarily with gifted adults. He bases his recommendations for raising strong children on his observations of these successful adults. Read the article
This author provides helpful advice to cope with a seemingly stubborn and defiant child. As the author explains, understanding that child's point of view can go a long way to mediating positive solutions whereas an authoritarian style rarely works for children with this temperament. Read the article
Excerpted from All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood, by Jennifer Senior, this article in New York Magazine is designed to help parents understand how to cope with the difficulties of raising a teenager. Read the article
This article from the non-profit Great Schools points out nine factors that indicate your child may be experiencing bullying but is not telling you. Read the article
This blog provides a thorough explanation of how teaching "mindfulness" can help a variety of adolescent concerns and potentially improve academic performance. Read the article
This article describes initiatives to bring programs in mindfulness, or meditation, to schools to benefit the school community and students. Parents with children who experience anxiety, attention or behavioral issues may find the work and research described useful. Read the article
This article provides some creative examples of how mobile technology enables cheating. Perhaps of greater concern is that some students may be cheating without believing they are behaving inappropriately. Read the article
If you're wondering how Harvard students got caught up in a cheating scandal, this is worth a read. First, we find out that the take home final for this government class said students “may not discuss the exam with others.” The exam was also open book, open note, open Internet, etc.” Whatever breakdown ensued between individual work and subsequent accusations of plagiarism and inappropriate collaboration is not only a Harvard issue; it’s one that faces an entire generation of learners. Read the article
This article describes a study showing that the ability to form friendships and relationships in the early teens is predictive of such behaviors in one's early twenties. What Do You Think? Read the article
This article in USA Today summarizes the new American Academy of Pediatrics' policy statement explaining the social and cognitive importance of recess, particularly to elementary school children. Included are statistics on the number of schools eliminating or reducing recess time to meet academic needs. Read the article
Have a child transitioning to middle school? Here's an interview with a middle school counselor who provides useful insight into what happens socially and emotionally with tweens. The article also provides practical advice for parents. Read the article
In this controversial story in The Atlantic, the author purports that teachers and schools may be penalizing boys unfairly for appropriate "boy behaviors". As a teacher, she believes schools should find new methods to harness boys' energy rather than simply trying to discipline it. Read the article
Ban dating until age 16? This article from Great Schools looks at a study of 600 students in Georgia. Those who started dating in middle school "reported twice as much drug, tobacco, and alcohol use and dropped out of school at four times the rate." Read the article
This article from Great Schools asks six parenting experts how they respond when a child says, "I'm bored". Read the article
Parents who want to begin teaching children about money may like this article that provides suggestions for the best age to offer allowance and ways to teach children about delayed gratification. Read the article
This article describes, Operation Beautiful, an interesting approach to build girls' self-esteem through the use of positive messages written on post-it notes. Read the article
This article reports on an extensive sleep study indicating that children with irregular bedtimes are more likely to have behavioral problems at home and at school. Read the article
This article discusses an approach researchers at Harvard are taking to help disruptive students understand the full consequences of their actions. Using role playing within the virtual world of a video game, they were able to increase students' abilities to "walk in another's shoes" and seek out compromise. Read the article
Flexible thinking when it comes to behavior, as with intelligence, can have positive benefits. This article looks at a study that showed that students who believe an individual's behavior can change are less likely to define a person by a single action or view a behavior as hostile. Read the article
This blog post by an experienced female teacher provides some thought-provoking views on whether male students benefit from having a male teacher. Read the article
This scientific article validates a common hypothesis that a "short bout of exercise" increases self-control among children and teens. The benefit may come from the increase in blood to the pre-frontal areas of the brain which are responsible for executive functions. Read the article
This is an in-depth piece on the potential benefits of character education in schools. Educators report an increase in achievement and lessoning of intrusive behavior when the respectful behavior is integrated into the entire school community. Read the article
This interesting article from The Atlantic is written by a middle school teacher whose years enforcing dress codes have given her a thoughtful view of the issue parents may appreciate. Read the article
Why do boys get lower grades than girls but score as high or higher on achievement tests? The author of this online opinion piece in The New York Times says it's because grades are based in part on behavior and non-cognitive skills. Read the article
This article from NPR summarizes a longer research study published in Child Psychology about behavior. The study found the ability of young people to argue confidently and calmly had larger benefits. Effective arguing acted as something of an inoculation against negative peer pressure. Kids who felt confident to express themselves to their parents also felt confident being honest with their friends. Read the article
This article from Education Week encourages parents to appreciate that growing up "takes time" and to not to rush children or over-emphasize academics at the expense of rites-of-passage. Read the article
This article provides the scientific explanation of how emotions such as depression, anxiety and self-control affect the brain and, as a consequence, learning and academic performance. Read the article
In this blog post, a mother explains how she used some of the principles of Paul Tough's book, How Children Succeed, to help her son learn to handle situations in which he felt bullied or picked on. Read the article
This is a wonderful post that delves into the student psyche, particularly the insecure feelings common among young girls. New evidence shows how referencing role models may discourage more than it inspires. Read the article
This article in The Wall Street Journal offers a validated strategy to improve poor behavior using Teacher-Child-Interaction Therapy (TCIT). In essence, this involves: acknowledging good behavior, ignoring the bad behavior (as best you can) and attempting to give three compliments for every criticism. Read the article
This article provides more data proving the value of play in developing important social, emotional and thinking skills. The author quotes one expert as saying: The opposite of play is not work. It’s depression. Read the article
The short answer from this research review of the effects of technology and social media is that no one really knows (yet) and it probably depends on the context. In the meantime, using good judgment and moderation is the best advice. Read the article
The Learning Scientists blog explains why people develop "Facebook envy" which can lead to depression. This is a real phenomenon and an important aspect of social media that parents will want to monitor. Read the article
This Mindprint blog explains why more students might be showing ADHD symptoms as a result of too much technology use. Read the article
For parents struggling on managing screen time this blog offers a very pragmatic approach, suggesting that instead of quantity, parents needs to focus on “context (where, when and how digital media are accessed), content (what is being watched or used), and connections (whether and how relationships are facilitated or impeded).” Read the article
Mind/Shift provides constructive advice for parents to support bullied children without "over-stepping" boundaries. Read the article
This Washington Post blog acknowledges that teens, and their parents, are probably too addicted to technology. It offers concrete suggestions to change behaviors. Read the article
This brief article has practical tips for helping tweens and teens handle what many parents consider inappropriate media content. This pragmatic advice stands the test of time. Read the article
There's no lack of negative commentary on kids and cellphone use. However, this is a rare post on the potential benefits of a cellphone, even for younger children. Read the article
This blog post from a medical doctor encourages parents to impose an "electronics fast" to enable children to decompress from an overload of screen time. While most children may not be experiencing the types of overloaded behavior the author describes, there is clear scientific evidence of the physiological behaviors she details. Read the article
In this article, a child psychologist acknowledges that avoiding childhood exposure to media violence is impractical. However, she provides suggestions to mitigate the effects and recognize the impacts. Read the article
This article from the Huffing Post is a helpful read for parents to understand how their teenagers may be responding to social media. Discussing this article may be one way to work with children to have a healthier perspective about what they read online. Read the article
This blog post explores the potential damaging effects of too much screen time for children of all ages, from obesity to violence to an inability to engage in critical life skills including deep thought and problem solving. Read the article
This article from the Child Mind Institute provides important considerations beyond just age when deciding if a child is mature enough for a cell phone. It includes useful rules that parents can enforce once they decide to take the plunge. Read the article
This great article from eSchoolNews provides wonderful guidance on how to balance the social media phenomenon FMO (fear of missing out) with common sense behaviors of respect and manners. Read the article
This simple Washington Post article provides pragmatic advice from a mom on how she, and her 12 year old daughter, should think about social media use. Read the article
A website, not an article, this guide funded by several non-profits gives parents easy-to-understand, high-level information about student data privacy rights. The guide gives the federal regulations but parents will need to do an independent search to find the specific state statutes. Read the article
Looking for some benchmarks on the amount of screen time your children should have each day? This guide from the Child Mind Institute can help clarify why a critical look at the use of screens is valuable. Read the article
The Atlantic cautions adults about the link between increased use of social media and increased prevalence in social anxiety among teens. While social media undoubtedly helps some, the researcher says that “Now young people can’t look you in the eye, they get antsy talking to you in person." The article explores all the negative consequences of social anxiety. Read the article
This article in the British newspaper, The Guardian, is written by a neuroscientist. He says the multi-tasking afforded by technology is making us less efficient and less intelligent. He describes our predicament as: “We are doing the jobs of 10 different people while still trying to keep up with our lives, our children and parents, our friends, our careers, our hobbies, and our favourite TV shows.” Read the article
This post opens up the conversation about a complicated topic and offers parents several points to consider when evaluating their children’s use of social networking sites. The author is a counselor and mother of five. Read the article
This posts looks at a British poll of children that revealed one in five believe their parents are addicted to screens and don’t properly listen to them. As noted in many articles about the topic, the assumption that parents must monitor their children’s screen time is turned upside down, when looked at through children’s eyes. Read the article
After the disappearnace of Mylassian flight 370, The Educated Mom wrote an Op-Ed for The Washington Post about “hiding the news” from kids. This post looks at how to handle troubling news children may hear about while at school, and how schools might communicate with families about what has been discussed during the school day when such tragedies occur. Read the article
The title says it all, but does anyone have an answer? This Educated Mom blog looks at recommendations from the AAP and includes the perspective of neuroscientist, Sam Wang. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog looks at a disturbing trend in children’s television, one in which producers are veering away from educational programs in favor of what they cite as the more appealing and popular for parents and children—pure entertainment. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog post looks at the trend towards children receiving cell phones at younger and younger ages. Whatever the decision, most agree that once a child has a cell phone, they are attached. Read the article
This guide from the New York City Department of Education provides good instruction for parents and students on how to protect their online identities and avoid making social media mistakes. While the information in some cases is specific to the NYC school system, much of the advice has universal application. Read the article
This post was written for educators, but parents will find the points salient, especially as they determine when and if their children may engage in social media. Read the article
This nonprofit site provides links to 17 helpful videos, clearly identified by topic and target audience, designed to teach children about appropriate internet behavior and safety. Read the article
This Huffington Post blog provides potential negative impacts of handheld devices on children. Despite the sensationalist headline, the article provides recommended screen time from the American Academy of Pediatrics and provides reasonable explanations of how too much screen time can interfere with healthy development. Read the article
If we can't shield our children from all aspects of the Internet, perhaps the best strategy is to give them the ability to be their own intelligent "filters". The strategy may seem risky, but this article provides detailed points to use in educating your child on evaluating webpages, as you trust them with becoming more discerning and responsible online. Read the article
This blog highlights the cognitive value of "unplugging" and taking time to daydream. Research indicates it can help in the consolidation of learning and improve attention. Read the article
This excellent post from PsychCentral gives suggestions to parents on how to discuss online dangers with children and provides resources and tools parents can use to improve online safety. Read the article
This article in The New York Times outlines specific concerns from watchdog groups about schools sharing children's information without parental permission. Some school districts share everything from students' performance to students' bus stop information. Read the article
Daniel Goleman, a prominent author on emotional intelligence, explains how multi-tasking and using digital devices can decrease a young person's ability to focus and empathize. He advocates a daily "digital sabbath". Read the article
This article explains a student's rights surrounding privacy of school data and how these rights are often mistakenly violated, and takes a particular look at the increase in data collected on special education students in conjunction with RIT's (response to intervention.) Read the article
While we don't typically link to company blogs, this one is worth reading. NWEA is able to put a numerical estimate on the amount of learning students lose over the summer months. The number is too big to ignore. Read the article
This excellent Washington Post article by Phyllis Fagell helps parents understand what they need to do when they notice a change in their child's academic or school behavior. The author does an excellent job providing solutions for the most common situations parents might face. Read the article
Interviews with two specialists in college admissions and teen stress are at the core of this blog. It empathizes with parents who push for the Ivies. Then in provides a healthier approach to re-frame the college admissions process. Read the article
Realistically, if a teacher calls for an unscheduled meeting about your child the likelihood is that there is a concern about your child's behavior or grades. This helpful blog explains why the best thing you can do for your child is to maintain a positive attitude throughout the meeting and how to keep your positive mindset. Read the article
An experienced teacher provides understandable, concrete advice for parents on how to support their children to become effective independent adults. This blog (and the corresponding book) might be best for parents struggling to find balance in being "firm but caring." Read the article
Simple, solid advice for all parents to keep in mind to maintain a healthy, happy relationship with their kids. Read the article
The Washington Post's On Parenting explains that while we can't motivate children to succeed, parents can create an environment where kids are more willing to try. Read the article
Use these suggestions from the Mindprint experts on how to make the parent-teacher most productive in the brief, precious time you have. Read the article
This blog provides guidance for parents to ensure the school year gets off to a good start. Learn when and how to check-in with your kids to keep them on track in September and beyond. Read the article
A new study co-authored by Growth Mindset pioneer Carol Dweck shows that parents' views on failure are the driving influence on whether a student has a growth mindset. The article identifies the nuances that parents should consider as they react to their child's failures and the words they choose to offer encouragement. Read the article
Parenting styles in Denmark are believed to contribute to Danish students consistently ranking as the "happiest students in the world." The article attributes their happiness, at least in part, to empathy being taught in schools and significantly reinforced in homes. Read the article
This Mind/Shift article explores the potential downsides of giving parents access to student data, including negative impacts on motivation, helicopter parenting, and privacy. Read the article
While there is no recipe for successful parenting, these characteristics can help guide parenting approaches and priorities. Read the article
Parent attitudes toward learning can be the most defining characteristic of how students perform in school. This edutopia post discusses the optimal ways for parents to be involved in their child's learning, some of which are contrary to popularly held beliefs. Read the article
This Educated Mom blog appeared on the Washington Post. It expresses parents angst about the increasing levels of parent involvement in projects and how to know when to "back off." Read the article
This NYTimes blog explains what parent involvement should and should not be. And advises parents and teachers alike how to get us to the right place. Read the article
This article is an excerpt of a book from a former Dean of Students at Stanford who notes the negative effects of overparenting in her worldclass students and in her own Palo Alto community. The book is intended to give parents the courage to break the destructive cycle. Read the article
This article from The Atlantic cites research showing how a father's involvement can be critical in helping a child's academic performance and behavior. Read the article
This wonderful post from Getting Smart encapsulates the heart of what parents want for their children and what they need to do to get it. Read the article
This article from the Harvard Graduate School of Education provides the prescriptive approach many parents are seeking on how to adapt their parenting techniques during the teenage years. It's concise, helpful and research-based. Read the article
This blog post in Slate from provides parents with a specific tactic to rectify past over-parenting to teach their children self-awareness and independence. In essence, this child psychologist reminds parents that as difficult as it is to watch their children fail, it is necessary to build a self-reliant adult. Read the article
Perhaps the generation of helicopter parents now facing an empty nest might enjoy this post, written with an eye towards detachment parenting. One goal, is to parent without “…showing any disappointment over how our child is turning out. That is, whether they're living up to our expectations for them.” Read the article
This article from the Harvard Graduate School of Education discusses research on parenting teens and evidence on what types of parenting practices are predictive of long term educational achievement. The article provides specific advice on the three effective parenting practices: autonomy support, monitoring, and warmth. Read the article
This blog by renowned educator Alfie Kohn dissects what parental involvement in school means to different constituencies: educators, parents and students. The takeaway is that while conceptually parental involvement is good, the constituencies need to work together to define the optimal role for parents to make parental involvement effective for all. Read the article
Parenting experts generally agree there are four basic parenting styles. The research supports a correlation between parenting style and children's long-term academic and emotional well-being. This article from non-profit GreatSchools defines these styles and gives parents some guidance on how to adjust their parenting style to address difficult situations. Read the article
This fact sheet from the Michigan Department of Education states that the earlier parents get involved in their children’s educations the better. It notes the best kind of involvement is that which engages “parents in working directly with their children on learning activities at home.” Read the article
This is a nice post that gives parents a sound strategy for parent-teacher conferences, suggesting three pillars of focus: the child, the classroom and the future. If you sometimes feel the short sessions with your child’s teacher leave you unsatisfied or uncertain about how to proceed, these grounding anchors can be useful topics of focus for ongoing conversations. Read the article
This Educated Mom post looks at the traditional lemonade stand, a summertime favorite of children long before they were used as lessons in entrepreneurship by type-A parents. How much focus on the bottom line is appropriate for children and how do we protect their independence while wanting every experience to be “constructive”? Read the article
Every parent is a teacher and here are 12 tips providing great advice on how to inspire your children. The list is a highlight of some of the philosophies included in the book American Teacher: Heroes in the Classroom. Read the article
This interview with Dr. Tim Elmore looks at 7 mistakes parents often make in an effort to avoid being like their own parents or to protect their children from failure. The interview looks at ways to curb these tendencies and to guide children in a more grounded process. Read the article
Parents who choose to take a more scientific approach to parenting will appreciate this list of key concepts on the evidence-based ways that parents can help children improve their cognitive and academic skills and associated lifetime outcomes. Read the article
This article, by the autor of The Smartest Kids in the World-and How They Got That Way, gives a worldwide perspective on the types of parental involvement and questions whether American parents are having the wrong type of involvement. Read the article
This guide from the Harvard Family Research Project emphasizes the strong correlation between appropriate parental involvement and student achievement. Of great use for parents are the last two pages of the report, which provide a concrete checklist for parents to use at parent-teacher conference time. Read the article
This brief post on CNN.com provides 5 practical recommendations for parents to effectively prepare for parent-teacher conferences. Read the article
Considering children spend less than 15% of their time in school, this article says, it's no wonder parental involvement and interaction is key to long-term academic success. This story highlights the research into how speaking with our children (two-way conversations, topics discussed) contributes to their development in significant and surprising ways. Read the article
In this article in USA TODAY, a teacher tells parents how best to enhance their children's learning experiences and work cooperatively with the children's teachers. Read the article
This is a short article highlighting the pros and cons of making test and assignment grades immediately available to parents. As one expert is quoted as saying, "...the line between being involved and being controlling is different for each child, since different kids pick up organization and other academic skills at different speeds." Read the article
This detailed article in New York Magazine looks at what happens when parents go to extremes, dismissing ethical standards in an effort to give their children an advantage. The consequences, the author notes, are children who may appear successful, but who lack the high moral standards and self-confidence to ultimately find their own ways. Read the article
Instead of focusing on "better teachers", NY Times columnist Tom Friedman looks at how parental interaction with children brings higher scores on the Program for International Student Assessment, or PISA. Reading to children and asking, "how was your day?" are associated with success. Read the article
This article from PsychCentral cites evidence showing how important parental influence is in the decisions teens make when it comes to academics as well as health, and how parents may gain or lose such influence. Read the article
The government of South Korea may want children to have a bit more unstructured time away from school, but according to this article, parents are responding to this change in the school week by filling that time with tutoring and additional classes. Read the article
This detailed research paper starts with the premise that parental involvement influences the cognitive development of young children. However, as children mature into the teenaged years, the teen's own investment and choices influences cognitive growth more than that parental input. Read the article
Many parents understand the benefits of introducing letters and literacy skills to their young children, but this post looks at a study showing the benefit of speaking about numbers and math with the same committment. Read the article
This article from NPR summarizes a longer research study published in Child Psychology about behavior. The study found the ability of young people to argue confidently and calmly had larger benefits. Effective arguing acted as something of an inoculation against negative peer pressure. Kids who felt confident to express themselves to their parents also felt confident being honest with their friends. Read the article
In this blog post, a mother explains how she used some of the principles of Paul Tough's book, How Children Succeed, to help her son learn to handle situations in which he felt bullied or picked on. Read the article
This New York Times post highlights a common challenge of parenting children with different strengths and needs. The author turns to experts who provide insightful advice for a long-range method of cultivating the passions and confidence of each child. Read the article
This article provides sage and specific advice on the right level of parental involvement with homework. Although parents may find it difficult to respect these guidelines, they may contribute to long term success. Read the article
This article from The Atlantic takes yet another stand on how much parental involvement is the right amount. Whatever your parenting style, providing the context to your children as to why it matters to work hard in high school is beneficial in the long run. Read the article
Learn about five things you can do over the summer months to improve school year habits and success. Read the article
Understand why a good night sleep is so important and the small steps we can take to improve our sleep habits. It was written for teachers, but it is an excellent summary for their students, parents, and everyone else. Read the article
This lengthy report from the National Sleep Foundation provides plenty of data on the positive benefits of a good night's sleep as well as the overwhelming amounts of data indicating that adolescents are not getting sufficient sleep for good mental and physical health. Read the article
This blog post from a medical doctor encourages parents to impose an "electronics fast" to enable children to decompress from an overload of screen time. While most children may not be experiencing the types of overloaded behavior the author describes, there is clear scientific evidence of the physiological behaviors she details. Read the article
According to Scientific American, the answer is yes. And the sweet spot is 20 minutes. Read the article
The need for a good night's sleep is important at any age. This short list from the Huffington Post explains why sleep is particularly important during the teen years. Read the article
There's no lack of research demonstrating the importance of sleep for top performance. This article on how top athletes are now emphasizing sleep may be the perfect read for student athletes to fully understand and embrace the need for a good night sleep. Read the article
This article provides a detailed explanation of the reasons why people with attention disorders also have a higher propensity to be overweight or suffer from an eating disorder. Read the article
This article reviews a recent study that shows “with greater sleep efficiency… children did better in math and languages – but grades in science and art weren’t affected.” The implication is that high quality sleep helps boost executive functions, which are utilized most in math and languages. Efficient sleep relates to the quality of the sleep, not simply the number of hours attained. Read the article
While we all know we should eat dinner as a family, this post by a professor at Harvard Medical School explains the scientific rationale. Not only does it boost vocabulary and lead to better nutrition, but it eating dinner together also lowers the rate of high-risk behaviors among teens. Read the article
This article in the magazine, ADDitude, looks at the causes of poor sleep for children with ADHD, the symptoms of sleep deprivation, and some useful strategies for helping these children create a realistic bedtime and sleep schedule. Read the article
This Educated Mom post looks at the Jolt Sensor, a new device for monitoring acceleration of the head and potential concussion impacts. Developed by an MIT student who sustained a concussion and endured months of cognitive setbacks, the device has a corresponding app for parents and coaches to be used on cell phones. Read the article
This is part II of The Educated Mom coverage of a family’s experience with an unexpected concussion. In this portion, we follow the family to their treatment at the University of Pittsburg Medical Center where the specialists performed tests and recommended a course of treatment that may surprise those who believe rest is the only cure for concussions. Read the article
This in-depth post in The Educated Mom follows one family’s experience with an unexpected playground accident that was eventually diagnosed as a concussion. The third-grade student profiled would eventually miss months of school and be taken to a special program at the University of Pittsburg Medical Center where an aggressive program of therapy and recovery was prescribed. This is part one of a two part series on the blog. Read the article
Talented violinists take a lot of naps and sleep a lot. In fact, that’s the theme behind the Educated Mom blog: sleep improves the quality of one’s work. Parents who are seeking more convincing ways to encourage their children to get more rest, or who are feeling at a loss for a healthier lifestyle themselves, may find the studies reported in this post extremly persuasive. Read the article
In this post, The Educated Mom interviews a nutritionist for some great tips on what to feed the kids for dinner or even before a big exam. Read the article
This post from Parenting Science looks at the scientific studies related to children's sleep. It provides excellent context for parents, and looks at factors beyond the number of hours of sleep, including behavior. Read the article
This article presents evidence of the causal relationship between a lack of sleep among teens and the likelihood of depression. Read the article
Is your teenager getting 9 hours of sleep a night? Most aren't. This article from the New York Times explains why teens need more sleep and provides specific ways to help teens fall asleep faster. Read the article
This insightful post written by a teacher identifies the value of well-designed homework. He mentions how sleep should still be prioritiezed, and cautions that effective study habits are often uninterrupted by social media. Read the article
In this lengthy article, researcher Daniel Willingham provides data about the poor sleep habits of students and the potential long-term consequences. He also provides anecdotes about why changing school start times is unlikely. Read the article
This article from the Wall Street Journal speaks to the positive impact of a healthy sleep routine on academic performance. Note: Log-in to WSJ required. Read the article
This column from the Washington Post provides a summary of the book Nurture Shock. The book's author maintains that parents who heap praise upon their children and protect them from failure will see their efforts backfire by creating kids who are unable to cope in the real world. Read the article
The following is one in a series of articles about controversial therapies from the non-profit National Center for Learning Disabilities. This review of food and nutrition therapies to treat ADHD and other learning differences suggests there is no scientific evidence proving nutritional therapies will remedy those issues. Read the article
This article details a new study out of the University of Pennsylvania showing that an extra hour of sleep a night can help teens with weight loss. The benefits of sleep go beyond weight loss, but this study gives one more reason to be sure that your child receives sufficient rest. Read the article
This article reports on an extensive sleep study indicating that children with irregular bedtimes are more likely to have behavioral problems at home and at school. Read the article
This blog in the New York Times looks at the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for “return to learn” checklists for students following a concussion. While many are familiar with the guidelines for returning to a sport, this looks at the cognitive and academic side of the recovery. Read the article
While getting more sleep is every teen's dream, this article looks at the movement to begin class later in the morning to better suit the biology of adolescents and improve academic achievement. Read the article
This post is written by a woman who had insomnia as a child--later diagnosed as a symptom of Bipolar II. She describes the extremes of fatigue and mania, and how they affected her daily routine until treated. Read the article
This post looks at the scientific explanation for the need for adequate sleep. The final paragraph provides useful tips on how to encourage healthy sleep routines, especially for busy students. Read the article
This article from Harvard Business Review is a blunt explanation of why getting at least seven hours of sleep a night is essential and should not be compromised. While this article focuses on adults, the impact of sleep is known to be of even greater importance for children and adolescents. Read the article
This blog shines light onto the important social skills we should expect that students develop through team sports and how parents and coaches can play a leading role in ensuring that students learn these key message. Read the article
NY Magazine explores goal setting through the eyes of Olympic athletes and explains why small achievable goals might be far more effective than BHAGs (big hairy audacious goals). Read the article
There is a strong positive correlation between time for unorganized play in childhood and creativity in adulthood. While organized sports have their advantages, the author suggests that they be properly balanced with free time. Read the article
Learn about five things you can do over the summer months to improve school year habits and success. Read the article
Understand the role of executive functions in sports, and how to help kids succeed on the field. Read the article
This Atlantic article addresses how foreign language instruction is falling to the wayside in schools, similar to music and arts education. And similar music to arts education, there may be learning and career benefits of dual-language fluency as explained by the language advocates in this article. Read the article
There's no lack of research demonstrating the importance of sleep for top performance. This article on how top athletes are now emphasizing sleep may be the perfect read for student athletes to fully understand and embrace the need for a good night sleep. Read the article
This article in the New Yorker debunks the myth of the advantage of red-shirting children. This popular trend has parents keeping children back so they are the oldest in the class, and presumably will have a leg up on their peers in maturity, academics and sports. While some children may have legitimate reasons for waiting an extra year before starting kindergarten, the takeaway is that red-shirting shouldn't be done for purely competitive reasons. Read the article
This article, written by an attorney, gives parents information about the legal protections provided to children with disabilities and provides examples of how such children can be given opportunities to participate in extracurricular clubs or sports. Read the article
Families spend an increased number of hours and dollars on youth sports, but at what cost? This story in the New York Times looks at the phenomenon in which some parents are spending a whopping 10.5% of incomes on their children’s athletic pursuits. And the associated financial and emotional toll on families. Read the article
This article cites a 2012 State of College Admission Report that says extracurricular activities rank 11th on the lists of items admissions counselors consider important. Instead of spreading our children too thin with a heavy load of activities for the sake of resume building, the article suggests letting children concentrate on a few. Read the article
Do you remember the Seinfeld episode when George realized everything he’d ever done in life was wrong and he needed to do the opposite? This Educated Mom post looks at a new study out of the University of Colorado that says, “…the more time children spent in less structured activities, the better their self-directed executive function. Conversely, the more time children spent in more structured activities the poorer their self-directed executive function.” While parents may not want to toss their children’s after school schedules aside, some moderation may be encouraged. Read the article
By now, you may have heard of programs called STEAM which put the “A” in STEM. That “A” refers to the Arts, and the authors of this journal article helped put it there. Artists, this Educated Mom blog explains, are another creative and vital segment needed in the fields commonly reserved for those who stand out in math and science. Read the article
If you feel your family is too busy with extra-curricular activities, this Educated Mom blog may be of use. It includes information reported in The Daily Mail stating the “tipping point” after which activities are simply too much and no longer contributing positively to the child’s development. Read the article
This Educated Mom posts looks at the experiences of a few grown-ups at Mindprint, and relates their most memorable and meaningful summers. Parents looking to enrich their children’s summers may find these perspectives useful. Read the article
This piece from NPR details a personal account of a 10 year old's back injury and provides accompanying data to help parents decide how much team sports may be too much. Read the article
This piece written by an evolutionary psychologist makes a strong case for reducing children's structured activities and providing more opportunities for free play. He believes the limits on free play can explain the rise in mental disorders and the decrease in coveted 21st century skills such as creativity and flexible thinking. Read the article
This short piece highlights the value of not overscheduling children so they can teach themselves how to best spend idle hours. Read the article
This opinion piece in The New York Times calls on parents to end the "non-stop" recognition of our children with participation trophies and rewards for nearly every effort. Citing research, the author makes a compelling argument to help increase our children's eagerness to seek challenges by allowing them to experience losing. Read the article
This blog post is the "CliffsNotes" version of a lengthy research report on the use of digital technology to inspire artistic creativity. It may help dispel some skepticism about the convergence of art and technology. Read the article
This story in The Washington Post features a blog by Lisa Phillips, author of the book, "The Artistic Edge: 7 Skills Children Need to Succeed in an Increasingly Right Brain World," and discusses the broader benefits of arts in education. Read the article
Although art is valuable in its own right, this article from The Washington Post highlights the cognitive and social benefits of studying art, as written about by Lisa Phillips. Read the article
This is an interesting piece that looks at empirical evidence showing successful athletic programs correlate with successful academic achievement in schools. The author questions the quickness of some to rely on, " stereotypes about dumb jocks, anecdotes, and painful personal memories as their proof," that the opposite is true. Read the article
"Where will iPad art take us? And what will we leave behind?" That's what this interesting post on the MindShift blog asks as it looks at how teachers selectively use technology in their art and music classrooms. Read the article
This article looks at how high school debating teams are integrating technology. While the oral debate is still prized, students are making use of the ability to research and post supporting arguments online, and may tap into the ability to debate teams remotely.What Do You Think? Read the article
This article from Education Week links music training with cognitive skills. The music training is said to, "...increase the neural connections in regions of the brain associated with creativity, decision making, and complex memory, and they may improve a student’s ability to process conflicting information from many senses at once." Read the article
New research confirms an actual improvement in reading skills associated with studying music. This blog in The Washington Post features a post by Daniel Willingham, author of, When Can You Trust The Experts? How to Tell Good Science from Bad in Education. While highlighting the new research, Willingham argues music for music's sake is still to be prized. Read the article
A new study from Harvard debunks the conventional wisdom that studying music in the early years improves students' math performance. The authors still encourage students to study music for its intrinsic value. Read the article