Educational Effects of the Tools of the Mind Curriculum: A Randomized Trial

By W. Steven Barnett, Kwanghee Jung, Donald J. Yarosz, Jessica Thomas, Amy Hornbeck, Robert Stechuk, Susan Burns
2008

Summary

The Tools of the Mind curriculum approaches learning as socially mediated by peers and focused on play. Through a randomized trial, the Tools of the Mind curriculum was found to improve classroom quality and children's executive function. The authors conclude that a "developmentally appropriate curriculum with a strong emphasis on play can enhance learning and development so as to improve both the social and academic success of young children." The authors also suggest that an increase in behavior problems due to child care may be reversed by using more appropriate curricula that enhance self-regulation. Read more about the study.

The article is in Early Childhood Research Quarterly, Volume 23, Issue 3.