Child development

At a time of book bans and the withholding of critically important struggles in our history, our education system has increasingly failed to provide our young with the tools to become…

from Scheer Intelligence

A new California law bars public schools from serving snacks with synthetic food dyes that have been linked to behavioral disorders in children.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Demi Lovatio and Nicola Marsh, co-directors of the Hulu documentary “Child Star,” tell us how they convinced folks like Christina Ricci to share their stories.

‘Child Star’ co-directors Demi Lovato and Nicola Marsh on convincing big names to share

Demi Lovatio and Nicola Marsh, co-directors of the Hulu documentary “Child Star,” tell us how they convinced folks like Christina Ricci to share their stories.

from The Business

Brains of teen girls rapidly aged during the pandemic, outpacing boys’ cognitive development, according to a new study from the University of Washington.

Rapid brain aging: COVID isolation and its impacts on teen girls

Brains of teen girls rapidly aged during the pandemic, outpacing boys’ cognitive development, according to a new study from the University of Washington.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Marina Del Rey Middle School went phone-free a year ahead of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s 2025 mandate. It changed everything.

Ahead of cell bans, this phone-free school is thriving

Marina Del Rey Middle School went phone-free a year ahead of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s 2025 mandate. It changed everything.

from KCRW Features

This week James Danckert , psychology professor at the University of Waterloo in Ontario and co-author of “Out of My Skull: The Psychology of Boredom,” provides some tips for parents…

Midweek Reset: On boredom and kids

This week James Danckert , psychology professor at the University of Waterloo in Ontario and co-author of “Out of My Skull: The Psychology of Boredom,” provides some tips for parents…

from Life Examined

The Department of Justice sued TikTok, claiming the popular app allowed children under 13 to create and use accounts, illegally gathered data from them, and ignored parents’ requests…

Justice Department sues TikTok for illegally collecting children’s data

The Department of Justice sued TikTok, claiming the popular app allowed children under 13 to create and use accounts, illegally gathered data from them, and ignored parents’ requests…

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Screenwriter Meg LeFauve explains why Anxiety, Embarrassment, Envy, and Ennui were added as new characters in “Inside Out 2,” plus why she personally thanks Anxiety.

‘Inside Out 2’ screenwriter on why anxiety is worth being grateful for

Screenwriter Meg LeFauve explains why Anxiety, Embarrassment, Envy, and Ennui were added as new characters in “Inside Out 2,” plus why she personally thanks Anxiety.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Memory is complicated and many factors impact the retention of distant memories

Remembering Childhood Trauma

Memory is complicated and many factors impact the retention of distant memories

from Second Opinion

Elementary and middle school kids have been flocking to makeup stores to buy serums and creams recommended to them on TikTok. But they’re harming their skin.

Kids want $70 wrinkle creams. Parents and lawmakers are ‘fighting a losing battle’

Elementary and middle school kids have been flocking to makeup stores to buy serums and creams recommended to them on TikTok. But they’re harming their skin.

from KCRW Features

LAUSD leaders recently voted yes on a cellphone ban for students. Board member Nick Melvoin explains how this would work and what safety concerns might rise.

LAUSD sorts through the rules of a cellphone ban coming in January

LAUSD leaders recently voted yes on a cellphone ban for students. Board member Nick Melvoin explains how this would work and what safety concerns might rise.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Lost Notes brings you behind-the-scenes conversations with Nia Andrews and Terrace Martin about the legendary Reggie Andrews.

Nia Andrews & Terrace Martin on Reggie Andrews

Lost Notes brings you behind-the-scenes conversations with Nia Andrews and Terrace Martin about the legendary Reggie Andrews.

from Lost Notes

Japanese Americans have played baseball in SoCal for 100 years, but the last Japanese American youth league in LA County — Sansei Baseball — is shrinking.

Sansei league shows deep bond between baseball and Japanese Californians

Japanese Americans have played baseball in SoCal for 100 years, but the last Japanese American youth league in LA County — Sansei Baseball — is shrinking.

from KCRW Features

In “Possible Selves,” Shaun Kadlec captures the inspiring stories of LA foster teens as they navigate their dreams of graduating college.

‘I don't call anybody mom or dad’: LA foster teens reveal their stories

In “Possible Selves,” Shaun Kadlec captures the inspiring stories of LA foster teens as they navigate their dreams of graduating college.

from KCRW Features

Black students do better academically when they have at least one Black teacher, research shows. But LA Unified is struggling to recruit and retain those educators.

Facing a shortage of Black teachers, LAUSD gets creative

Black students do better academically when they have at least one Black teacher, research shows. But LA Unified is struggling to recruit and retain those educators.

from KCRW Features

Lulu’s Place will offer LA kids free sports and academic programs inside state-of-the-art facilities funded by major donations.

Lulu’s Place: $150M philanthropic project for LA youth breaks ground

Lulu’s Place will offer LA kids free sports and academic programs inside state-of-the-art facilities funded by major donations.

from KCRW Features

Expansions of The Broad museum and the Colburn School represent investments in the arts on Grand Ave. Neither design is oriented toward drivers or parking.

Museums, concerts, and no driving? Grand Ave enters new era

Expansions of The Broad museum and the Colburn School represent investments in the arts on Grand Ave. Neither design is oriented toward drivers or parking.

from KCRW Features

Technology has devastated kids’ abilities to connect and learn. Pew data from 2022 says nearly half of teens were online almost constantly.

‘Forever elsewhere’: Social media is worsening youth mental health

Technology has devastated kids’ abilities to connect and learn. Pew data from 2022 says nearly half of teens were online almost constantly.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

In the 1990s, a reading strategy called “balanced literacy” took over CA public schools. The problem? Kids didn’t learn to read. Now, phonics is making a comeback.

CA kids learning to read may finally get hooked on phonics

In the 1990s, a reading strategy called “balanced literacy” took over CA public schools. The problem? Kids didn’t learn to read. Now, phonics is making a comeback.

from KCRW Features

“The ABCs of Book Banning” is an Oscar-nominated short documentary about the recent push by conservative states and school districts to ban books about race and gender identity on…

Reading is freedom of speech, says ‘ABCs of Book Banning’ director

“The ABCs of Book Banning” is an Oscar-nominated short documentary about the recent push by conservative states and school districts to ban books about race and gender identity on…

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand