Previous research has shown that well-structured teaching of phonological awareness, letter knowledge, and letter-to-sound mapping is crucial in building a solid foundation when learning to read. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, children worldwide did not have access to consistent and structured teaching and are, as a consequence, predicted to be behind in the development of their reading skills. New research from … Read More
Babies act altruistically – when they know you need help
I-LABS researchers wanted to test whether human infants were able to act beyond self-interest, when faced with one of the most fundamental biological needs: food. Dr. Rodolfo Cortes Barragan’s work on the roots of altruism in children is featured in this article by Early Learning Nation, a magazine devoted to early learning, the science of the developing brain, and more. … Read More
I-LABS Outreach Resources Now Available in Four Languages
Many of our I-LABS Outreach Resources are now available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Somali. We invite you to explore our new translated materials, including select modules, discussion guides, handouts, and infographics. Click here for resources in English Click here for resources in Spanish Click here for resources in Vietnamese Click here for resources in Somali
Latinx Fathers Use Parentese
Research from I-LABS’ Dr. Naja Ferjan Ramirez shows that Latinx fathers are quite skilled at using parentese to help their children’s language development. This is true despite the fact that the dads in the study were not taught how to use parentese. The slower speech, exaggerated tones, and higher pitch just came naturally. Read about the research in Early Learning … Read More
Join the discussion: Patricia Kuhl explores impacts of COVID on early childhood development
An online discussion was held with Dr. Patricia Kuhl, co-Director of I-LABS, as she talked about the ways that the global pandemic has affected learning for young children. The National Academy of Sciences hosted a discussion about potential impacts to learning due to COVID-19 isolation. Dr. Kuhl was interviewed by Peabody award-winning writer and producer Wendy Calhoun, followed by a full … Read More
Research Reveals How Gender Stereotypes Steer Girls Away From STEM Starting in First Grade
Women are underrepresented in STEM careers. A new publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) reveals that gendered stereotypes about these fields may be an early childhood contributor to this underrepresentation. I-LABS researchers found that many children as young as six already believe that boys are more interested in computer science and engineering than girls. This belief … Read More
I-LABS Research Sheds Light on Teen Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
I-LABS researchers Dr. Andrew Meltzoff and Makeda Mayes, together with their colleagues at UW and Harvard University, have co-authored a new study on teen mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study provides important insights about how adolescents are coping with the COVID crisis and how families can promote resilience in teens and pre-teens. This research indicates that high exposure to … Read More
I-LABS Intern Katie Liu Wins Second Place in Prestigious Competition
The International Mind, Brain, and Education Society recently held a competition for budding research scientists. Katie Liu, a high school Junior, has won second place for her work on bilingualism at I-LABS. Working with researcher Dr. Ping Mamiya, Katie became interested in how differences between languages lead to differences in executive functions for bilingual speakers. She conducted original research, then … Read More
The National Academies are Working to Disrupt Implicit Bias
Implicit bias can lead to structural inequities in education, medicine, employment, and the justice system. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recently convened a multi-disciplinary group of experts to develop strategies for disrupting this process. I-LABS has been working on these issues, so I-LABS co-Director Andrew Meltzoff was well positioned to speak to the National Academies audience about … Read More
Human Infants Can Override Possessive Tendencies to Share Valued Items with Others
Scientific Reports, 2021, 11:9635 Download publication here Rodolfo Cortes Barragan & Andrew N. Meltzoff Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, University of Washington Email to: barragan@uw.edu; meltzoff@uw.edu In adults, the feeling of possessiveness that we have toward certain favorite objects can be overridden by a counteracting tendency—the tendency for generosity and sharing with other people. As adults, we often want to retain our money and … Read More