Adele Diamond|Chris Lee|Peter Senften|Andrea Lam|David Abbott
Randomized control trial of Tools of the Mind: Marked benefits to kindergarten children and their teachers
University of British Columbia|University of British Columbia|University of British Columbia|University of British Columbia|University of British Columbia
kindergarten program tools mind tools shown improve executive functions assessed laboratory measures academic performance objective see tools improve executive functions real world classroom academic outcomes previously investigated reduce bullying peer ostracism increase teachers students joy classroom first randomized controlled trial tools canada included 351 kindergarten children mean age 52 years entry 51 female 18 public schools stratified randomization resulted teachers students groups closely matched teachers groups received number training hours funds new materials outcome measures pre post standardized academic skill assessments teacher online survey responses study replicated tools improves reading shows first time improves writing far exceeding levels school districts seen selfcontrol attentionregulation real world eg time task without supervision reduces teacher burnout children ostracized excluded increases joy students teachers experience school spring tools teachers still enthusiastic teaching control teachers exhausted results better control group also better tools teachers experienced year tools thus children kindergarten curriculum emphasized play improving selfregulation working together helping one another handson learning performed better academically showed less bullying peer ostracism kindness helping behavior students traditional classes teacher enthusiasm teaching soared tools reduced initial disparities separating children schools teachers