New book illuminates individual differences in brain function Most of us understand, on some level, that our unique ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving are related to the mechanics of our individual brains. Yet the majority of neuroscience research has focused on group averages—a way of sketching “typical” patterns of brain functioning. Professor Chantel Prat argues that this approach has moved the … Read More
New Research: Online ‘Camp’ Teaches Preschoolers the Fundamentals of Reading
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
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
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
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
I-LABS Research Identifies Cooperative Health Indicators
In order to slow the spread of COVID, health officials need people to adhere to health guidelines. But which people are most likely to follow these guidelines? New I-LABS research may suggest some answers. Working in collaboration with colleagues from the Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, Rodolfo Cortes Barragan and Andrew Meltzoff created an innovative online study that reached … Read More
TIME Features I-LABS Research on Infant Altruism
I-LABS scientists (Barragan, Brooks, & Meltzoff) published a paper on baby altruism. They found that infants help others even when that involves giving up things of value to themselves (Scientific Reports, 2020 ). The researchers also highlight social learning experiences at home that predict baby altruism. TIME magazine (Oct. 2020) featured this work in a special edition on “The Power of Kindness.”
National Academy of Sciences Issues Early Childhood Call To Action
The National Academy of Sciences issues Briefs only when scientific consensus on a topic is overwhelming. I-LABS has contributed to a body of research that has met that standard. The Academy has just issued a Brief about early childhood education that confidently states four findings: Early education improves lives. Access to early education is not equitable, and those children most … Read More