Parents today are understandably concerned about their children’s increased use of media during COVID-19. I-LABS Outreach director Sarah Lytle and other child development specialists discuss different strategies for managing screen media. They stress balancing media use with other activities and remind parents that quality is more important than quantity. Read the article here.
Seattle Times Op-Ed Highlights Early Childhood Issues
In this op-ed, Jackie Bezos and Lynetta Fraga make a powerful case for treating early childhood educators and childcare workers as the professionals they are. The COVID crisis has brought this issue into stark relief. Childcare workers are essential both for the children in their care and for the larger workforce, yet nearly half of them work for poverty-level wages. And, as … Read More
I-LABS Research Provides Insights for Learning During COVID
In a wide-ranging interview, I-LABS co-directors Patricia Kuhl and Andrew Meltzoff discuss their research and how it relates to life during COVID. They talk about bias, equity, empathy, language acquisition, and technology, among other topics. This interview is part of Aloud, a speakers series hosted by The Library Foundation of Los Angeles. Access the interview here. Read more about the Aloud series here.
I-LABS Co-Directors Featured in New Documentary
I-LABS co-directors Patricia Kuhl and Andrew Meltzoff are among the national experts featured in No Small Matter. Drs. Kuhl and Meltzoff discuss cutting-edge research that demonstrates the importance of early experiences for children’s brain development. The I-LABS magnetoencephalography (MEG) machine is also featured as the newest way to study the developing brain. Executive Produced and narrated by Alfre Woodard, No Small Matter describes … Read More
I-LABS Co-Director Speaks at National Academy of Sciences Program
The National Academy of Sciences sponsored an online forum to feature innovative science and technology. These ‘micro science talks’ provide quick introductions to cutting edge research. The forum took place on Wednesday, May 20, but it was captured on video too! Click here to watch the event.
Investigating Moral Dilemmas During the Pandemic
I-LABS co-Director Andrew Meltzoff is one of three UW professors leading an investigation into moral dilemmas posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Using an online virtual lab called LabintheWild, participants from around the world can respond to different situations. Researchers hope to learn how people from different countries and age groups are responding to the crisis. Read about the research here. Read … Read More
I-LABS STEM Research Showcased by National Science Foundation
A video featuring I-LABS research was part of The 2020 National Science Foundation STEM For All Video Showcase: Learning from Research and Practice. The showcase highlighted efforts to broaden participation and increase access to STEM learning. It brought together some of the most influential STEM researchers and practitioners in the world. From more than 170 videos, I-LABS’ entry was distinguished … Read More
Communication Skills Predict Programming Aptitude
Modern programming languages have vocabulary and grammar, just like natural languages. This observation led I-LABS researcher Chantel Prat and her team to suspect that language skills might be a better predictor than math skills of the ability to learn programming. Her research showed that it was. These findings have profound implications for how programming languages are taught. The research was … Read More
Altruistic Food Sharing in Infants
Researchers at I-LABS published a study showing that infants act altruistically, sharing food with unfamiliar people. This is true even when infants are hungry. This behavior demonstrates that infants systematically override their biological drive in order to engage in prosocial, helpful behavior. I-LABS co-authors Barragan, Brooks, and Meltzoff published their work in Scientific Reports (part of the Nature publishing group). … Read More
Talking to Children About Race
I-LABS research scientist Allison Master spoke to the Sarasota Herald Tribune about why parents should overcome their discomfort and talk about race with children. Master offers concrete advice to help parents have healthy, engaged conversations. Read the article here.