Blockheads

Are the building blocks for math skills… literal building blocks? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science.  Luis builds a tower. Kim builds a town. Rosie crashes in, and it all falls down! Building blocks are great for preschoolers playing pretend, but do they REALLY teach

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Sound Asleep?

Shh, don’t wake the baby! She’s busy learning… This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. “Mama, dada, MORE!!”… Babies pick up words so quickly! When kids memorize words, specific regions of the brain go into hyper-drive. But where does this speed-learning take place in BABIES’ brains??

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Gut’s Up Doc?

Is there a mind-tummy … connection? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. The right balance of bacteria in our stomachs is important – even before we’re born! By interacting with the nerves, these bacteria help our brains develop properly! Could they also help prevent brain

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Too Much Information

Does curiosity kill the . . . classroom?  This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. A-B-C-D…but your kid has no interest! What was fun yesterday is a big YAWN today!  Jenny Wang from Rutgers University and colleagues wondered what level of knowledge sparks children’s curiosity. They

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Step It Up!

Four young people in sneakers. Photo by Ben Weber on Unsplash.

My shoes are too tight! Knot again! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Time to buy new school shoes AGAIN? You blink and the kids have outgrown them! Is it okay to just squeeeeeeze their feet into last year’s pair? Elsa Matthias and colleagues at

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Cake or Broccoli?

A small bowl of chopped broccoli on top of a wooden cutting board

Toddlers – they always seem to get the last word! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science saying… Heads or tails? When adults are asked this, eighty percent pick heads. The FIRST option. But what about toddlers – which would they choose? Emily Sumner from the

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Baby Eyes

  How much can YOU remember from your baby days? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science.  Babies watch constantly, taking in everything they’re exposed to. When you get home from work, your baby greets you with a big smile! But do they remember any of

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Diversity from Within

Variety is the spice of life – especially in your tummy! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. A diverse diet is a healthy diet! But what about the health of the bacteria in our gut? At Rutgers University, Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello studies lifestyle and gut

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Cuteness Overload

Puppies – why are they so darn CUTE?! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Puppies can be a headache! They pee and poo on the carpet. Ugh! But there’s no doubt about how ADORABLE they are! Is there actually a scientific reason for the cuteness?!

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