Leaning so often toward the future unconsciously demonstrates to our children that later is more important than now. (more…)

Immunologists know that children build healthy resistance, in part, by dangers posed to the immune system. Studies continue to find that some exposure to infectious (more…)

...children learn from experience. If a boy runs outside without gloves on a snowy day, he will quickly recognize the wisdom of going back inside (more…)

When pulled by the current of any project, we are more likely to experience flow. In this marvelous state the boundary between you and your (more…)

Rewards, bribes and grades can’t provide the sort of motivation that children find in their own increasing competence. There is intrinsic satisfaction to be found (more…)

Our incidental daily conversations are extremely valuable. Conversation is in short supply in the lives of many children. It has been estimated that, once directives (more…)

It remains a mystery exactly how interests develop. But it is certain that they set us aglow. They kindle enthusiasm like tinder catching flame. When (more…)

When any of us is expected to learn for a specific measurable outcome like an exam or grade, we don’t absorb the information as naturally, (more…)

Sometimes children are accused of “looking for trouble” when they simply yearn to vanquish dragons of their own making. A child’s desire to challenge him-or (more…)

A scientific principle called the Yerkes-Dodson law demonstrates that one’s performance improves with a certain degree of stress or pressure. There is an optimal level (more…)

Permissive parents put a high value on a child’s autonomy. The parent has few rules and attempts to use reasoning to elicit the child’s compliance, (more…)

All young children learn through observing and working alongside older youth and adults. They want to gain useful skills. That’s because it’s a human drive (more…)