The Mind On Stage

Education

Children Gesture and Learn with Puppets

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on June 23, 2022

Developmental scientists are debating the role that puppets play in children's learning. Children move with puppets and learn from them just like they do in pretend play.

Developmental scientists are debating the role that puppets play in children's learning. Children move with puppets and learn from them just like they do in pretend play.

Creativity

The Little-c Creative Joy of Wordle

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on February 10, 2022

Do you find yourself waiting for a new Wordle each day? It may be the daily practice of small creative acts that is pulling you in.

Do you find yourself waiting for a new Wordle each day? It may be the daily practice of small creative acts that is pulling you in.

Theatre comes in many different forms, but similarities across contexts, including creating a safe space for and physical practice of emotions, may cause higher well-being.

Play

Children's Appreciation of Art

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on September 16, 2021

How do we get from child scribbles to art museums? From pretend play to Broadway? From dancing on the playground to American Ballet Theatre?

How do we get from child scribbles to art museums? From pretend play to Broadway? From dancing on the playground to American Ballet Theatre?

Psychology

How Do Teachers Think Acting Classes Cause Change?

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on May 18, 2020

Do acting classes cause change in a holistic or piecemeal manner? New research asks teachers to weigh in.

Do acting classes cause change in a holistic or piecemeal manner? New research asks teachers to weigh in.

Dramatic play can help young children understand the pandemic and social distancing.

Seven resources for staying home with your kids, when you're looking for a new way to be active, do some theatre at home, or learn something new!

Child Development

The Long Tail of Childhood in "The Good Place"

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on February 6, 2020

While "The Good Place" focused on moral philosophy and connections to others as a way to be a better person, a central conceit was that characters' badness came from their parents.

While "The Good Place" focused on moral philosophy and connections to others as a way to be a better person, a central conceit was that characters' badness came from their parents.

Education

The Rise of Arts Research!

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on November 18, 2019

When a group of arts researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and grantmakers come together, the discussion centered on a few key emergent points.

When a group of arts researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and grantmakers come together, the discussion centered on a few key emergent points.

Education

The Arts and Research: Student Reflections

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on November 8, 2019

The first Mason Arts Research Center conference brought together researchers, practitioners, and policy makers. Here, students reflect on the day.

The first Mason Arts Research Center conference brought together researchers, practitioners, and policy makers. Here, students reflect on the day.

Play

How and What Can Children Learn From Pretense?

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on October 7, 2019

For simple facts, children can learn from both passively and actively pretending, and transfer that knowledge to the real world.

For simple facts, children can learn from both passively and actively pretending, and transfer that knowledge to the real world.

Play

Artistic License and Scientific Truth

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on June 28, 2019

Science is concerned with verifiable truths. But what does an artist owe her audience about the truth of claims made in a word?

Science is concerned with verifiable truths. But what does an artist owe her audience about the truth of claims made in a word?

Play

Where Does Acting Come From?

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on June 4, 2019

How do adult actors get to be adult actors? What are the developmental precursors to skills needed for acting?

How do adult actors get to be adult actors? What are the developmental precursors to skills needed for acting?

Identity

Improv and Self Concept

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on May 16, 2019

Improv theatre may help kids with lower levels of self concept increase their self esteem—and the gains last over time.

Improv theatre may help kids with lower levels of self concept increase their self esteem—and the gains last over time.

Child Development

Developing Wonder: Theatre for Babies?

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on April 29, 2019

What is theatre for babies, and how does it intersect with the science of Developmental Psychology?

What is theatre for babies, and how does it intersect with the science of Developmental Psychology?

Media

Is Children's Media as Fantasy-Filled as We Believe?

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on March 19, 2019

Research reveals 91% of children's popular media involves the supernatural.

Research reveals 91% of children's popular media involves the supernatural.

Child Development

Contexts for the Arts in Child Development

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on February 26, 2019

Children's engagement in the arts can vary by situation—and that can matter for outcomes.

Children's engagement in the arts can vary by situation—and that can matter for outcomes.

Play

Ingredients for Success

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on October 23, 2018

How can we know what children are gaining from pretend play? Carefully designed interventions are a must.

How can we know what children are gaining from pretend play? Carefully designed interventions are a must.

Play

The Developmental Magic of Children’s Drawing

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on May 24, 2018

Children's drawing is a window into their development. But how can we foster it?

Children's drawing is a window into their development. But how can we foster it?

Play

Drama Games Help Kids Gain Emotional Control

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on October 6, 2017

Dramatic pretend play games may be causally implicated in young children's emotional control, as found in a recent random control trial.

Dramatic pretend play games may be causally implicated in young children's emotional control, as found in a recent random control trial.