“Trauma” has become a buzzword of sorts. You might have heard the term “trauma-informed education” or heard someone say that they feel “triggered”. These words and phrases have gained popularity, with some even suggesting that “trauma” was the mental health buzzword of 2018. The American Psychological Association defines trauma as, “an emotional response to a…
May 25, 2020
Pre-K Executive Function Predicts 3rd Grade Academic Achievement
As an educator, you know how important it is to find learning and behavioral issues as early as possible in children to give them the best chance for academic and social emotional success. Reading proficiently by the end of third grade (as measured by NAEP at the beginning of fourth grade) can be a make-or-break…
May 21, 2020
Mindfulness & the effects of stress on childhood learning and development
Reducing Stress and Supporting Executive Function Development Stress is the enemy of Executive Function. It undermines reflection, attention, self-awareness, thinking, and problem-solving capacity. Watch the video below to see how prolonged stress can be mitigated by mindfulness training and help to promote successful problem solving. Want to learn more about activities you can do with…
May 21, 2020
Promoting Executive Function Skills with Reflection Training
Successful problem solving depends on reflection Successful problem solving depends on reflection: considering the information you know and how it relates to the problem at hand. Performance on the Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) Task, a precursor to the Minnesota Executive Function Scale, improves after children are prompted to *stop* and *reflect* briefly before responding.…
May 21, 2020
Improving Executive Function in Early Childhood: When Less is More
Executive Function skills change significantly between the ages of 3 and 5. In this example video, Dr. Stephanie Carlson, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of Reflection Sciences, explains how 4-year-olds outperform 3-year-olds during a “Less is More” game… until the 3-year-olds ability to pretend is used. Watch the video to see how! Key takeaways: Executive…
May 21, 2020
What is the Minnesota Executive Function Scale (MEFS)?
Video: about MEFS and Reflection Sciences https://youtu.be/0U7qjXHJU9A At Reflection Sciences, we are here to scientifically support your goals surrounding social-emotional development, Executive Function, and school readiness. Our quick and fun Executive Function measure, MEFS (the Minnesota Executive Function Scale), paves the way for schools to meet the needs of their children and reduce opportunity and…
May 21, 2020
Improving Mindfulness in Children
Mindfulness impacts social and academic achievement In this video, learn how mindfulness is essential to early childhood development of academic and social skills, and how it can be improved through activities in the classroom. Mindfulness is a way of thinking that promotes moment-to-moment attention to yourself and the environment. Mindfulness is regulated by a cognitive…
May 21, 2020
Measuring Executive Function with the MEFS App
What is the Minnesota Executive Function Scale (MEFS)? https://youtu.be/zj7S_yT0cg8 The MEFS App is the only digital app that has been proven to accurately measure Executive Function (EF) by peer-reviewed, published scientific research. MEFS measures EF in children as young as 2 years old. MEFS helps teachers understand and meet the needs of their students through…
May 21, 2020
Executive Function: Skills for Life and Learning
What is Executive Function? Executive Function is at the center of our brain’s architecture. It is a set of skills that are key ingredients in our academic, social, and professional success. It’s not just about learning language, numbers, and colors anymore! Here are some key things to know about Executive Function as you go about your…
April 20, 2020
Five Fun Strategies for Home-Based Learning to Share with Parents
No one could have predicted what your classroom would look like now – a nature poster as a backdrop on the wall of your dining room for visual effect, an iPad on your left and a laptop on your right to make sure you’re seeing what you’re students are seeing – it’s a brand new…