At the start of this new school year, most educators' attention will be split between attending to students' social and developmental well-being and overcoming pandemic-driven lack of engagement in learning. When these two goals are addressed in tandem, students can be exposed to new challenges and experiences. This article explores how a…

The Learn-Earn-Return approach is frequently promoted by coaches motivating entrepreneurs to give back in the third stage of life after their younger years of learning and earning. However, this article describes how the Thai Child Development Foundation (TCDF), a charity operating in rural Thailand, implements the Learn-Earn-Return focus…

Young children are growing up in a digital age that is constantly evolving. They are experiencing new and emerging technologies, such as mobile devices, virtual reality, smart toys, voice-activated assistants, and social robots. This article focuses on exploring what social robots are and how they could disrupt and transform early childhood…

In 1934, 29 American secondary schools agreed to participate in a landmark study to determine whether high schools could better serve youth when given flexibility around curriculum and freedom to "experiment with the basic structure of schooling." Popularly known as the "Eight-Year Study," it bolstered movements for progressive…

Positive Education equips students with the skills and mindset to lead fulfilling lives, navigate challenges, and contribute positively to society. Geelong Grammar School (GGS), the largest co-educational boarding school in Australia, is dedicated to fostering student wellbeing through Positive Education. With four campuses and a vibrant community…

Learner agency is necessary for students to consolidate new learning. In environments where teachers and students prioritize learner agency, students actively engage in and take ownership of their learning. Students with agency seek relevant learning experiences, connecting new ideas, academic knowledge, and personal experiences. Integrating the…

This article discusses what resilience is and how to think about resilience from intersectional and neuroscience viewpoints. It provides practical resilience-building strategies that educators can apply in the classroom. Understanding resilience from different perspectives will help early childhood educators build resilience capacity in young…

The STEM acronym (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) has evolved into STEAM, to reflect the increasingly held view that art and creativity are essential components of math/science teaching and learning. Sadly, too few students are choosing to take computer science classes. When presented as a technical science, many students,…

Children learn best when they are inherently motivated to pursue new knowledge and skills; ownership and opportunity for initiative provide that inherent motivation. Most of what has been created for the children's universe--whether in cinema, theater, books, cartoons, or school curriculum content--has been created and produced by adults. But By…

Decades of evidence demonstrates that a strong foundation in early childhood leads to healthier, more successful life outcomes. Developing socio-emotional skills and executive functions in this period of life improves academic outcomes, school readiness, and wellbeing, as well as work, health, wealth, and public safety outcomes. Thus, social and…

Up to 250 children of different ages can be seen when entering Sekolahku-MySchool (SMS) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, integrated and happily engaged, indoors or outdoors, in sustainable activities as part of their everyday learning. With ages ranging from 16 months to 13 years, the children engage in learning typical academic skills and techniques…

Special education schools in China and other developing countries are increasingly adapting curricula and approaches developed in Western countries to serve young children with disabilities. Yet not enough is known about how effective these curricula are in different cultural contexts and what difficulties teachers may face in implementing them.…

Early childhood development (ECD) policies and programs are increasingly recognized as having a strong, positive impact at both the individual (e.g., learning, health, behavior) and societal (e.g., inclusion, social cohesion, earnings) levels. Yet, little attention is given to the lived experiences and working conditions of the workforce who…

Challenges associated with poverty, limited resources, and cultural norms affect both educational and life outcomes for learners in Zambia and other African countries. Many families cannot afford school fees, uniforms, or other educational expenses or requirements. Girls often face greater barriers to education than boys, as cultural norms…

Education systems today must prepare every child, everywhere, to thrive in an increasingly complex world. But despite huge increases in education spending over the past two decades, children are not achieving the desired outcomes. A lack of belief and investment has led to widespread demotivation of teachers and officials, as demonstrated by high…