April 27, 2014

Shape up America!

Experiences with toys like blocks and puzzles, and the words and gestures they evoke from adults, have an important influence on spatial skill development. These skills allow us to mentally manipulate information about the objects and locations around us. Our work has shown that 3-year-olds' spatial skills predict to standardized spatial and mathematical tasks even two years later and are therefore key to school-readiness. Spatial skills undergird success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This video uses over-the-top patriotic themes to communicate the importance of early spatial education. It emphasizes that potential spatial experiences are found everywhere.