by Laura Maniglia | Feb 26, 2026 | academic standing, active learning, attention & focus, brain development, classroom management, cognitive skills, instruction, learning, memory, PISA, reading, retrieval practice, student engagement, teacher effectiveness, teacher training
Educational technology (EdTech), such as tablets and computers, appears to impair rather than benefit learning. Although EdTech has the capacity to enhance critical thinking skills, it can also negatively affect attention spans and lower retention if misused....
by Laura Maniglia | Jan 16, 2026 | instruction, language, speech, Vocabulary
English is a vibrant, living language. Derived from the Indo-Euorpean family of languages, it has evolved or “borrowed” from a variety of languages, including Latin, German, French, and a host of others. It can also prove a confusing and complicated language for...
by Laura Maniglia | Nov 30, 2025 | attention & focus, brain development, cognitive skills
Good news for chocoholics: Indulging in their favorite treat can provide benefits far beyond merely filling a sweet tooth. It can improve blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels, improve gut bacteria, and enhance brain function. “In the COcoa Supplement and...
by Laura Maniglia | Oct 20, 2025 | active learning, brain development, Child development, cognitive skills, learning, parents, reading
The use of digital technology and its effect on students has been a frequent theme in my blogs. I have cautioned parents to monitor their children’s screen use and bemoaned the potential risk that AI can have on critical thinking. Social media poses a particular...
by Laura Maniglia | Aug 21, 2025 | attention & focus, brain development, cognitive skills, intelligence, interpersonal relations, learning, Sleep
In the past, I’ve written about the detrimental effects of excessive screen time on child and adolescent brains. These include decreased cognitive skills, poor language development and less social interaction. However, these consequences are not limited to the young. ...
by Laura Maniglia | May 26, 2025 | active learning, instruction, math, reading, student engagement, students, teacher effectiveness, teachers
I am a strong advocate of traditional learning that includes in-person instruction and paper-based learning. The benefits of one delivery system over the other appear negligible for pleasure reading. The selection of one reading mode over the other...
by Laura Maniglia | Apr 15, 2025 | instruction, language, parents, Vocabulary, writing
Every year around this time, I ask myself the same question: Why is the lowly apostrophe such an enigma for some people? As I scan cards, signs, and posters celebrating mothers (Yes, that day is fast approaching!), I notice that most people...
by Laura Maniglia | Mar 16, 2025 | active learning, brain development, Child development, cognitive skills, instruction, language, learning, note-taking, parents, reading, teachers, writing
I have emphasized the many cognitive benefits of writing by hand on a number of occasions. Writing and thinking are inextricably intertwined. For decades, research has demonstrated the connection between writing and learning. “A large body of data supports the view...
by Laura Maniglia | Feb 26, 2025 | active learning, attention & focus, brain development, cognitive skills, instruction, learning, metacognition, study skills, teachers, writing
Have you ever tried to remember a friend’s phone number without opening your contact list? Do you rely on GPS to get you to your destinations? If so, you may be relying on technology at the risk of diminishing your critical thinking, an essential component of...
by Laura Maniglia | Feb 4, 2025 | attention & focus, brain development, cognitive skills, intelligence, math, parents, public schools, teachers
I have previously presented information about the learning disorder that affects math: dyscalculia. Sometimes known as “number blindness” it was first noted over 100 years ago. The cause is known to be genetic, so it cannot be cured. The disorder can be diagnosed...
