Balancing the books: Should schools prioritize reading for pleasure or reading for the future?

For years, the "reading for pleasure" mantra has dominated educational discourse. The idea is simple: if we make reading fun, ch...

Goal-directed play: A powerful tool for social development

"Play nicely, children" is a familiar plea from parents and teachers, but getting children to cooperate may depend less on their...

Persistence and resilience: Are effort and performance related to character?

When a child struggles with a math problem or a difficult reading passage, it is often assumed that their ability to keep going—...

The benefits of developing a "gamer brain"

For years, many parents and educators focused on the potential risks of video games, often worrying about their link to aggressi...

The hidden benefits of boredom for kids

"I’m bored." It is a phrase every parent knows well, often delivered with a heavy sigh. The natural instinct for many of us is t...

School trains the brain to control behavior and reach goals

Going to school is about much more than just learning to read, write, and solve math problems. According to a new analysis publi...