A new I-LABS study shows that even children as young as two can learn valuable causal lessons from watching what others do. 24-month-old toddlers were able to learn new cause-and-effect relationships simply by “eavesdropping” on other people’s interactions with both people and objects. Toddlers were even able to learn when faced with imperfect causal evidence, when causes worked some, but … Read More
New Outreach Modules: “The Foundation of Literacy” and “The Development of Literacy.”
I-LABS is pleased to announce the launch of two modules on children’s literacy development. The modules were developed by I-LABS researcher Jason Yeatman, who worked closely with the I-LABS Outreach team as aHearst Fellow. Patrick Donnelly, Yeatman’s graduate student, also contributed to both modules. The Hearst Fellowship Program brings the scientific expertise of I-LABS researchers together with the translation and dissemination skills of the outreach team. … Read More
Can early experiences with computers, robots increase STEM interest among young girls?
Girls start believing they aren’t good at math, science and even computers at a young age — but providing fun STEM activities at school and home may spark interest and inspire confidence.A new I-LABS finds that, when exposed to a computer-programming activity, 6-year-old girls expressed greater interest in technology and more positive attitudes about their own skills and abilities than girls … Read More
Basics of Brain Science for Bilingualism
Naja Ferjan Ramirez and Patricia Kuhl have published a review article titled “The Brain Science of Bilingualism” in Young Children, the journal of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The May issue of Young Children is entirely devoted to brain science, with the goal of connecting the latest brain research to educational policy and practice. The article summarizes some … Read More
New Research Highlights Role of Synchrony in Developing Collaborative Skills
A favorite childhood pastime — swinging on the playground swing set — also may be teaching kids how to get along. The measured, synchronous movement of children on the swings can encourage preschoolers to cooperate on subsequent activities, University of Washington researchers have found. A study by the UW’s Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS) shows the potential of … Read More
I-LABS Researcher Blogs for NAEYC
Allison Master, a Research Scientist at I-LABS, recently wrote a blog for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) website. The blog summarizes Allison’s research on how social environments help young children learn STEM skills. Read the full blog here!
New Research: Self-concepts and Academic Achievement in Minority and Majority School Children
I-LABS researchers published a first study to examine implicit self-esteem in both minority and majority elementary school children, the current findings advance our understanding of how implicit self-esteem and explicit academic self-concepts interact during development and are tied to real-world outcomes, such as achievement in school. Children internalize cultural expectations and academic stereotypes about their “in group” at young ages, and … Read More
Society for Research in Child Development Fellowship Awarded
I-LABS graduate student Melanie Fish has been awarded the SRCD Pre-doctoral State Policy Scholar Program in Early Learning! The Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) supports scholars with placements in state Executive Branch offices working on state pre-k programs. The program aims to provide participants with firsthand experience in state policymaking and program implementation/evaluation, while also providing state Executive Branch agencies greater access to … Read More
What happens if you expose babies to 6 weeks of waltzes?
Patricia Kuhl discusses how children who have had early experiences keeping time to music, might have an easier time learning a foreign language. Read the full text here.
Language Lessons Start in the Womb
I-LABS scientists were cited in a New York Times article covering new research about language learning in the womb. Read the full text here.