The hottest Child development Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Education Topics

'Something Terrible Has Happened': Carl Sagan Saw What US Schools Were Doing to Children Decades Ago

The Take (by Jon Miltimore) • 594 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Young children are curious and ask deep questions about the world, but as they grow older, that curiosity often fades away. This change happens during their school years.
  2. Simply throwing more money at schools does not solve the problem. Good schools need choices and options that meet students' needs rather than just more funding.
  3. Many believe that schools should be run more by the people and less by the government. This could help create better learning environments for children.

Human excellence, historical innovation, & AI for playing Go strategies

The Strategy Toolkit • 26 implied HN points • 11 Mar 26
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Intense early specialization often makes teenagers stand out but doesn’t reliably produce the top adult performers.
  2. Many true elites are late bloomers who keep broader interests longer and peak later, benefiting from diverse experience.
  3. Possible reasons for this pattern include finding the right fit over time, enhanced learning from varied activities, and lower risk from avoiding early narrow specialization.

#55. What Do Kids at a Center for Self-Directed Education Do on Their Smartphones?

Play Makes Us Human • 1136 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Kids in self-directed education tend to use their smartphones for creative and educational activities rather than scrolling on social media. They engage in things like music editing, game design, and learning through simulators.
  2. Many teens at the Macomber Center are not very interested in social media, often finding it unnecessary. They feel they have better things to do, like spending time with friends and exploring their interests.
  3. The overall happiness and fulfillment of these kids seem to come from their fulfilling social interactions, which reduces their reliance on social media to meet their social needs.

'Screen Schooled': Kids Should Learn to Use Brains, Not iPads

The Analog Family • 919 implied HN points • 09 Sep 24
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Kids are spending a lot of their time on screens, often 9 hours a day, and mostly consuming content instead of creating it. This means they miss out on learning opportunities.
  2. It's important to recognize that technology sometimes distracts kids from actually learning. Just giving them gadgets doesn’t mean they will use them for education; they often just want to play.
  3. Basic skills are being lost because kids rely on technology for instant answers. They need to build knowledge and skills first, instead of just Googling everything.

Literacy lag: We start reading too late

The Intrinsic Perspective • 22847 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Kids today are exposed to screens too early, which makes learning to read later much harder. This gap is called 'literacy lag'.
  2. Experts often believe that children should wait until age 5 to start reading, but many children can actually learn much earlier, even as young as 2 or 3.
  3. There has been a decline in reading among kids, as more time is spent on screens instead of picking up books. Reading is losing a fair competition for children's attention.
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Why I Don’t Homeschool

The Analog Family • 1458 implied HN points • 19 Aug 24
🚌 Education Child development
  1. The public school system in Ontario can be good enough for many families. It offers physical activities, creative learning, and outdoor experiences, unlike some more extreme examples seen elsewhere.
  2. The author loves her job and doesn't want to pause her career for homeschooling. She feels it's important to balance work and family life while still providing education.
  3. Education is about more than just school. The author believes in filling learning gaps with real-life experiences, discussions, and activities at home, emphasizing ongoing education outside of the classroom.

How I taught my 3-year-old to read like a 9-year-old

The Intrinsic Perspective • 26836 implied HN points • 28 May 25
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Teaching a child to read early can lead to them enjoying books and reading for pleasure. This habit can help with their brain development and emotional well-being.
  2. Using methods like reading together, fun activities, and spaced repetition can make learning to read more effective and enjoyable for kids.
  3. The process of teaching reading requires patience and flexibility, as each child learns at their own pace. Making it fun is key to keeping them interested.

Heritability as Stalking Horse for Mutability

Freddie deBoer • 3310 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
🚌 Education Child development
  1. People argue about heritability, but what most people really care about is mutability — whether education and policy can change students' academic outcomes.
  2. Research shows students' relative academic positions are largely set early and remain stable despite interventions, suggesting there are consistent individual differences that schooling rarely eliminates.
  3. Non-genetic factors like prematurity, lead exposure, or brain injury can cause large, lasting academic harms, so 'environmental' does not automatically mean a problem is controllable or easily fixed.

To spoil the child

Disaffected Newsletter • 2417 implied HN points • 20 May 24
🎭️ Culture Child development
  1. Many young people today lack the skills and maturity that previous generations had. This isn't entirely their fault, but it affects how they see themselves.
  2. Young generations often feel more knowledgeable and morally superior, but this can lead to them not accepting constructive criticism. They need to understand that feedback is meant to help them grow.
  3. There's a need for young people to recognize and correct their own incompetencies. Accepting help from older generations could help them develop into more capable adults.

Should All Parents Consider Embryo Selection?

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 1511 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Child development
  1. Research suggests that embryo selection and IVF may not lead to significantly worse outcomes compared to natural conception. Many potential negative effects may actually stem from the parents' health rather than the IVF process itself.
  2. Sperm competition in natural conception may not provide a better selection of embryos than IVF methods, which often involve either filtering sperm or simply picking the best-looking one.
  3. Overall health and success of children born through assisted reproductive technology tend to be more influenced by factors like socioeconomic status than by the method of conception itself.

'The Anxious Generation': Things Are Worse Than We Realized

The Analog Family • 2977 implied HN points • 10 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Child development
  1. Smartphones and digital media have greatly increased anxiety and depression in kids. The period between 2010 and 2015 saw a sharp rise in these mental health issues coinciding with the rise of smartphone use.
  2. Kids need real-life play to develop important social skills and physical abilities. Too much screen time replaces active play, leading to developmental challenges.
  3. Parents play a crucial role in managing their children's digital exposure. Limiting smartphone use before high school, avoiding social media until 16, and encouraging outdoor play can improve children's well-being.

Are we looking for the cause of Gen Z anxiety in the wrong place?

Make Work Better • 152 implied HN points • 05 Feb 26
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Children now get much less independence and free, unsupervised play than past generations, which reduces their chance to learn risk‑taking, decision‑making and a sense that their actions matter.
  2. This loss of autonomy helps explain rising mental‑health problems and economic inactivity among young people, and it predates smartphones so screens aren’t the whole story.
  3. Employers and policymakers should rebuild chances to practice independence — accepting some friction and deliberately training initiative, ambiguity tolerance and responsibility in schools and workplaces.

On Alpha School

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2912 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Alpha School uses a unique teaching method that combines effective techniques like spaced repetition and immediate feedback. This helps students learn better and faster compared to traditional education.
  2. The school has a rewards system called AlphaBucks that incentivizes students to complete their lessons. This gamification makes learning feel more fun and engaging for kids.
  3. While Alpha School's methods focus on individualized learning, they may not suit every student. It's important to consider each child's needs and how they learn best.

Abigail Shrier: Stop Asking Kids If They’re Depressed

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2128 implied HN points • 11 Aug 25
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Asking kids repeatedly if they're feeling depressed could make them think they are. Children are very impressionable and might come to believe they have a mental illness just from being asked.
  2. Illinois has become the first state to require mental health screenings for kids in public schools. Some people worry that this could lead to unnecessary diagnoses for children who are actually doing okay.
  3. Many young people without serious mental health issues end up using therapy and medication for years. This can make them feel dependent and may even lead to more problems instead of helping them.

The BIG GUIDE to teaching LITTLE PEOPLE how to sound out words

The Intrinsic Perspective • 7162 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Teaching kids to read can be done much faster at home than in traditional schools. A few minutes of one-on-one tutoring each day can help them start reading within a year.
  2. Many current reading methods are too complicated for young kids. It’s better to make learning fun and game-like instead of following strict rules and lessons.
  3. The process of teaching reading should begin with simple sounds and slowly progress to full sentences, focusing on what interests the child. This makes reading enjoyable and engaging.

Your brain is a washing machine, AGI's job prospects, Americans are alone, the Earth passes "peak child"

The Intrinsic Perspective • 5983 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🔬 Science Child development
  1. Our brains clean themselves while we sleep, which is super important for our health. If we use strong sleep aids, like Ambien, it might mess with this cleaning process.
  2. The world is seeing fewer children being born, which means we might be reaching a point where there are not as many kids in the future. This can affect society in various ways.
  3. There's a common fear that artificial general intelligence (AGI) could take away all jobs. However, it's likely that human jobs will still have value even as technology improves.

Culture Links, 11/27/2025

In My Tribe • 379 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Child development
  1. Kids with smartphones may actually feel better psychologically than those without them, showing lower levels of depression and anger.
  2. Young women today value sharing their views more than older generations, even if it makes others uncomfortable.
  3. Both Trump and Mamdani appeal to those who want to disrupt the current political systems, highlighting a divide between traditional and radical approaches in politics.

How Jonathan Haidt Won the Fight Against Smartphones in Schools

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4655 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Having rules about smartphone use in schools helps students connect better with their teachers. Many teachers noticed students paying more attention and being more respectful after limiting phone use.
  2. The shift away from screens in the classroom has made a positive difference in students' behavior and engagement. Teachers are seeing students who are more willing to participate and communicate.
  3. Promoting more unsupervised play can help children develop important social skills. This balance is important to counteract the heavy use of technology in their lives.

Learning to Be Human

New World Same Humans • 32 implied HN points • 22 Feb 26
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Before deciding how to teach, we must decide what kind of humans we want to create and what qualities we value.
  2. AI can produce fluent answers that only look like understanding, so young children should have minimal AI exposure and lots of human interaction to learn attention, listening, and real judgment.
  3. The arrival of powerful AI makes it urgent to redesign education to protect human freedom, wisdom, and the things that remain distinctively human.

Bringing the science of learning to parent night

The Bell Ringer • 79 implied HN points • 23 Aug 24
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Many teachers believe that parents are not involved enough in their children's education. They feel that more engagement from families could lead to better support for students.
  2. Parents want to learn how to help their kids succeed in school, especially through understanding learning science. This can strengthen the partnership between parents and teachers.
  3. Schools are starting to share effective learning strategies with parents, like metacognition and retrieval practices, which can help kids study better and improve their overall learning experience.

The All-New Big Tech American School

After Babel • 1699 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Technology in schools is taking away from real interaction and learning. Kids are spending too much time on devices instead of engaging with teachers and classmates.
  2. Digital devices can be distracting and lead to negative behaviors like cheating and addiction. Schools need to focus on true education instead of just using tech for profit.
  3. There’s a growing movement to limit technology in schools. Parents and educators want to create a better environment for kids, focusing on healthy learning without devices.

Girl Belongs to the World

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 2096 implied HN points • 18 May 25
🎭️ Culture Child development
  1. Kids have a moment when they realize they are joking, which shows a shift in their social understanding. It's fun to see their expressions change as they enter this new playful space.
  2. Adults can joke without needing a clear transition, showing sophistication in humor. This helps keep conversations lively and engaging.
  3. As a parent, kids may see you as a tool for fun or food, and they'll get more independent as they grow. Children can quickly shift from playful to serious, showing their cleverness in social interactions.

Mathematical Maturity in Elementary School

Kids Who Love Math • 419 implied HN points • 14 Nov 25
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Mathematical maturity starts with curiosity, connection, and persistence. Kids need to explore math by asking questions and playing with ideas to develop a deeper understanding.
  2. There are four stages of mathematical maturity: Exposure, Pattern Recognition, Internalization, and Creative Mastery. Each stage helps kids build their confidence and skills in math.
  3. It's important to normalize getting stuck and encourage kids to embrace challenges. Learning is about asking better questions and exploring different ways to solve problems, not just getting the right answers.

Why are tech people suddenly so into homeschooling?

Cloud Irregular • 3400 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🚌 Education Child development
  1. More tech parents are choosing to homeschool their kids. They see it as a way to give their children a better, more tailored education.
  2. Many homeschooling parents want to 'opt out' of average society. They think that keeping their kids away from regular school and its challenges can help them succeed.
  3. Homeschooling can help kids learn valuable skills, but it might also lead to issues with social connection and resilience. It's important for kids to experience challenges to grow.

The Most Compelling Argument Against Tech in Schools

After Babel • 2022 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Too much screen time is hurting kids' learning and development. It's taking their focus away from teachers and each other, making them more anxious and isolated.
  2. Studies show that using too much technology in schools isn't helping students. In fact, it can make their learning worse and even affect their mental health.
  3. We need to rethink how much tech kids use in school. Instead of relying on screens, we should promote reading books and spending time with teachers to help kids learn better.

The Year The Phone-Based Childhood Began To Reverse

After Babel • 2302 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Child development
  1. Many believe that 2012 marked the start of a mental health crisis for young people, but 2024 might be when it starts to improve. There is a shift in awareness about the negative effects of smartphones and social media on kids.
  2. The problems children face today include being overprotected in real life while not being protected enough online. This has led to a deep concern for young people's mental health and has sparked conversations about how to fix it.
  3. It's important for kids to have opportunities for risk and independence while playing. Allowing them some freedom can actually make them safer and help prevent potential mental health issues.

School is Not Enough

The Map is Mostly Water • 2214 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Learning happens best when you actually do things, not just sit in school. Kids should have chances to explore and work on real tasks to gain skills.
  2. School can trap kids in a routine that doesn’t prepare them for the real world. It’s important to let children explore opportunities that help them learn outside the classroom.
  3. Parents play a big role in helping kids find meaningful activities. Encouraging children to dive into projects they are passionate about can build confidence and lead to mastery.

Can AI learn language like we do?

AI Supremacy • 491 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🔬 Science Child development
  1. An AI model was trained using video footage from a baby to learn language and concepts.
  2. The AI model demonstrated the ability to link words to their visual counterparts based on limited real-world experiences.
  3. This study could help reshape our understanding of how AI and humans learn language and concepts.

Listen to “The Math Wars”

The Bell Ringer • 139 implied HN points • 07 Jun 24
🚌 Education Child development
  1. It's important to listen to research about learning methods. Many people have different views on how students learn best.
  2. The debate around teaching math shows how divided opinions can be. Understanding these differences can help improve education.
  3. Podcasts like 'The Disagreement' can be a fun way to explore complex topics. They encourage thinking about different sides of an issue.

How to (and How NOT to) Mandate Phone-Free Schools

After Babel • 1103 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🚌 Education Child development
  1. More schools are going phone-free, which means students won't use phones during the whole school day. This helps them focus on learning and connecting with friends.
  2. Total phone bans can improve students' grades and attention in class. Teachers also feel less distracted and more engaged with their students.
  3. Policies are being created to guide schools on how to effectively limit phone use. This is often driven by parents who see the negative effects of phones on children.

How to Get Kids Reading More Books

The Analog Family • 319 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Kids are reading less because of distractions like smartphones and a focus on analytical approaches in school. It's important for them to enjoy reading whole books to gain emotional connections and confidence.
  2. Setting up an environment full of books helps encourage reading. Having books available everywhere can make reading more appealing to kids.
  3. Parents should model reading habits. When kids see their parents reading, they may be more inclined to pick up a book themselves and find enjoyment in it.

I understand why people ban books

Men Yell at Me • 878 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
📚 Literature Child development
  1. People often ban books to control what kids learn, thinking they protect them, but this can actually harm children's understanding of the world.
  2. Growing up in a restricted environment made some believe their curiosity was wrong, which changed when they discovered the wide range of knowledge available in books.
  3. Knowledge is powerful and can change lives, helping people understand their identities and experiences, which is why some fear it and try to limit access to certain books.

It's hard to stop Math Acceleration once you start

Kids Who Love Math • 755 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Starting math acceleration at an early age can lead to kids getting really far ahead, even several years, if they enjoy it and continue practicing.
  2. Schools may not always know how to support kids who excel in math, leading to some frustration for parents trying to find help.
  3. It's important to check in with kids regularly about their interest in math, as their willingness to learn can change over time.

Slightly against human nature

Wood From Eden • 1392 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Child development
  1. Foster care systems often fail to provide stable living conditions for children from adverse circumstances, impacting their chances in life.
  2. Research suggests that, on average, foster care does not provide better outcomes for children compared to staying with their birth families.
  3. Human nature and the need for stability suggest that foster children face unique challenges, including a lack of consistent relationships and environments.

School Daze

Living Fossils • 21 implied HN points • 29 Dec 25
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Modern life—less play, more screens, and rigid schooling—creates mismatches our brains struggle with, and that likely produces more real cases of ADHD, anxiety, and similar problems.
  2. Wider diagnostic definitions plus incentives for schools, parents, clinicians, and students push more people into diagnoses, and social imitation helps these labels spread quickly.
  3. Because there are few objective brain tests and solutions often create new problems, diagnoses can balloon without an effective brake; rebalancing toward community, exercise, and other nonmedical supports could help.

Psychology Links, 5/20/2025

In My Tribe • 212 implied HN points • 20 May 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Child development
  1. Younger people tend to show traits like selfishness and callousness, while older people are generally more trusting and kind. These personality traits can change with age.
  2. Focusing too much on mental health can lead to overdiagnosis and distract from helping those who really need it. It's important to differentiate between regular emotions and actual mental health issues.
  3. There are concerns that early phone use could harm kids’ brains. Instead of relying on phones, having more caregivers might be a better option for young children.

What parents should know about the science of learning

The Bell Ringer • 79 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Look for clear agreements in education research; it helps to focus on studies where experts reach similar conclusions. This shows what really works, like how reading on paper can be better than on screens.
  2. Understand that studying is not just about memorizing; students need to connect what they learn over time. A good learning strategy connects years of knowledge to build a strong base.
  3. Be open to new findings in education. Science keeps changing and evolving, so what we know now might change later, but reading and learning remain essential no matter the format.

Mathematical Adventures Await Us

Kids Who Love Math • 335 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Viewing new math topics as adventures makes learning more fun. It helps kids feel excited and curious about what they'll discover.
  2. Preparation is important before starting a math adventure. Physically, emotionally, mentally, and philosophically getting ready can help kids face challenges.
  3. Tracking progress and celebrating discoveries during and after the adventure makes learning rewarding. It encourages kids to think about what they learned and plan for future adventures.

Make Math Obvious

Kids Who Love Math • 251 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🚌 Education Child development
  1. Math is everywhere in daily life, and parents can help kids see that. Pointing out math moments, like counting socks or planning in games, makes it more fun.
  2. Even if something seems obvious to adults, it may not be to kids. Making the role of math clear in everyday situations helps kids appreciate it more.
  3. The goal is to help kids enjoy math by showing them how it connects to their interests and experiences. Keep it light-hearted and fun to spark their curiosity.