Learning and education

Page from a book with printed text about society and handwritten notes in the margin, including ’True but only in part‘.

The value of scribbling in the margins

Marginalia is far from inessential. It would be a shame if it died off in the digital age

by Richard Fisher

A young boy smiling, resting his chin on his hands, looking at a marshmallow on a table.

What the marshmallow test got wrong about child psychology

Self-control, grit, growth mindset – trendy skills won’t transform children’s lives, but more meaningful interventions can

by Tyler W Watts

Illustration of person climbing through a window which takes the place of one square in a giant period table, through the window is a city scene.

HOME

Lab at the edge of the world

When my daughter was bullied, I decided to homeschool her. A chain reaction ensued

by Lea Page

A man stands in a modern room looking at a large pink sculpture of tentacles outside the window.

PERSONALITY

What style of curiosity do you practise?

New research shows that people satisfy their curiosity in different ways. Are you a hunter, a busybody or a dancer?

by Richard Fisher

Painting of a man in colourful clothes sitting against a stone wall looking pensive with armour-clad figures in the shadows.

COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE

The loving tongue

In Spanish, I wasn’t the clumsy son of the town amputee. Learning the language catalysed my reinvention

by Timothy Hampton

Photo of a beachside blackboard offering a humorous deal near a weathered pier, stating “£100 receipt given for every £10 spent.”

ANXIETY

If you think you are ‘just not a math person’ then think again

Understanding how mathematics anxiety takes root points to ways to overcome it, opening up new opportunities and pastimes

by Nathan T T Lau & H Moriah Sokolowski

Illustration of the solar system with planets in order of distance from the Sun on a dark background.

LEARNING AND EDUCATION

The ‘secret strategy’ that could boost your ability to learn

It may sound illogical, but growing evidence shows the benefits of testing yourself before you start learning new material

by Ajdina Halilovic

Lively discussion at a cafe with multiple people gesturing, smiling and engaging around a table.

THINKING AND INTELLIGENCE

Expert tips on using gestures to think and talk more effectively

The gesticulations that accompany your speech are so much more than mere hand-waving – they contain and convey meaning

by Susan Goldin-Meadow

Photo of a classroom with students meditating at their desks, surrounded by posters and bright natural light.

PRAYER AND CONTEMPLATION

What if we learned contemplation like we do arts or sports?

As with football or violin practice, young people could gain versatile life skills through routine contemplative training

by Michael R Sheehy

MUSIC

Repairing instruments for children is its own art in this Oscar-nominated short

Directed by Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers

Various ancient Greek and Roman statue fragments, including busts and limbs, playfully arranged in a circular pattern against a light background.

ANXIETY

Self-honesty is crucial, life is weird – a tale of wisdom gained via panic attacks

Directed by Samira Mian

Photo of a person reading on a tablet, facing left, wearing glasses and a jumper in a dimly lit environment.

TECHNOLOGY AND MEDIA

What does switching from paper to screens mean for how we read?

It’s well established that we absorb less well when reading on screen. But why? And can we do something to improve it?

by Lili Yu, Sixin Liao, Jan-Louis Kruger & Erik D Reichle

Photo of children in high-vis jackets walking along a grassy shore by the sea on a clear day.

LEARNING AND EDUCATION

Lessons about learning from ancient Greek philosophers

What Aristotle and Epicurus can teach us about learning through collaboration, movement, place and embodiment

by Tom Bielik

Photo of a female athlete smiling while crossing a track finish line with a cheering crowd in the background.

SPORTS AND GAMES

Sport shows how to use performance benchmarks in a positive way

IQ scores and other contextless benchmarks are suffocating and misleading. We should look to sport for a healthier approach

by Leif Weatherby

Photo of a woman and child talking, seen through glass with reflections of greenery outside.

CHILDREN’S DIFFICULTIES

How to help a child who can’t face school

Is your child anxious and reluctant to leave home in the morning? Here’s a compassionate plan to help them get back to school

by Anna Smout, Glenn Melvin & Marie Yap

Silhouette of a man by a window in a dim room with a ring light laptop and papers on the table, photo.

MENTAL HEALTH

Why we’re hopeful about mental health videos on TikTok

People are broadcasting their psychological self-diagnoses on TikTok. Some experts are worried, but we see an opportunity

by Elliot Jurist & Julia Jurist