I knew the day would eventually come – my grandson beat me at Memory. Usually, I let him win, but as the game progressed, I felt myself actually trying and missing one pair after another. We all know it’s inevitable, a child’s working memory surpassing that of a rusty adult brain. Not that I’m admitting defeat;…
We’ve made it through the dog days of summer! What are those you might say? I looked it up – and without getting to “sciency”, it is the hottest part of summer due to the tilt of the earth and is named after a bright star. (My passion for science never waivers…) So what is…
I grew up in the days of danger… rickety swingsets, no bicycle helmets, and climbing trees as high as I could without an adult within a block. This was also a time when games weren’t very sophisticated and household items were never discarded, just added to the toy bin. This week’s activity, Button, Button. Who’s Got…
Can you find five differences in the image above? This task requires concentration and focus, behaviors that rely heavily on the Executive Function (EF) skill of working memory. Working memory is the skill to keep information active in your mind for a short period of time (seconds) and keeping it available for further processing. This…
I’m sure we’ve heard that often enough over the last year and a half! Big sisters heckling little brothers, little cousins annoying overly cool teenagers, and yes, your youngest child hanging on your sleeve. Covid has definitely tested one’s patience. It’s time to get outdoors, stretch your legs, and explore the micro world of insects.…
Or better yet, hop, skip, and jump! No matter how we phrase it, activity and play is important for everyone, children and adults alike. That is why Reflection Sciences and Playworks are working together this summer to make sure learning through fun continues. There are relationships between children’s play and development in several areas, including…
You know the lyrics, and you can’t resist walking like an Egyptian when the song comes on. So you think it makes you the dorky parent but really it actually is strengthening your Executive Function skills! WHAT?! You read it right. Pretend play (yes, adults can do it, too) is a great way to support…
In a recent Raising Good Humans podcast, Goldilocks Parenting: How to Shape Executive Function Skills Through Caregiving Dr. Carlson explains that kids need to realize they have a choice in how they think, act, or feel. As children make these decisions, they own it and learn to realize each has its own consequence, good or…
Should we set a screen time limit What programs can our children watch? Is my child playing too many video games? Children’s technology use is a common topic of discussion echoed in living rooms across the country. A recent piece in the New York Times highlights the struggles faced by pandemic families who express…
Have you ever thought to yourself, “I’m just not creative,” or “Gosh, I wish I were better at math”? How about considering yourself to be either left-brained (analytical) or right-brained (creative)? It can be tempting to think of science and art as opposite ends of a spectrum, but evidence from neuroscience shows us that brain…
As of 3:08 PM CT, our identity provider is no longer experiencing issues. We apologize for the inconvenience.