Scientific Inquiry Among the Preschool Set

Prof. Alison Gopnik's research with preschool aged children has found that children behave like scientists by forming hypotheses, experimenting, and deciphering causal relationships.  Read more here.

Can babies read?

Anne Cunningham's research addresses the importance of early literacy  to "unlock an upward spiral of skills, achievement, positive attitudes, and willing practice."  Her work is addressed in the following Salon.com article:
Can babies read?

Mexican Moms Are More Nurturing Than White Ones, Study Finds

Bruce Fuller's research over a three-year period with Mexican-born, Chinese-born, and white native-born mothers found that Mexican-origin mothers were found to provide "warm and nurturing home settings," fewer arguments with spouses, and stronger mental health.

For more information, see:  Mexican Moms Are More Nurturing Than White Ones, Study Finds

Intense prep for the LSAT alters brain structure

Research conducted in Silvia Bunge's lab shows that intensive preparation for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) actually changes the microscopic structure of the brain, physically bolstering the connections between areas of the brain important for reasoning. Read more about this research.

Raising Successful Children

Dr. Diana Baumrind's research on parenting styles is reviewed when examining how to raise successful, motivated children. Raising Successful Children

Professor Bruce Fuller's research found that strong achievement gains were made by children moving into newly constructed elementary schools. These gains were not found among high school students who moved from overcrowded facilities to new schools. For more information, see: New study links LA Unified’s new schools to elementary student performance benefits

Professor Steve Hinshaw's longitudinal study tracked a racially and socio-economically diverse group of girls with ADHD in the San Francisco Bay Area. A major finding from the research was that the girls diagnosed with ADHD during childhood were mor elikely to manifest self-injury and suicide attempts in early adulthood. For more information and a link to his article in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology see: Girls with ADHD more prone to self-injury, suicide as they enter adulthood

Q&A: Alison Gopnik on babies and learning

Professor Alison Gopnik, author of the best-selling book, “The Philosophical Baby,” is interviewed about her research about babies as "the best learners in the universe."
University of California Research Profiles, Alison Gopnik