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| Does Mind Lab really work? |
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| More than 2 million pupils in over 30 countries have benefited from the Mind Lab programme, making Mind Lab the world's leading provider of life skills education to children. |
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The positive impact of Mind Lab on children's development is supported by research. According to a study from Yale University
(Green & Gendelman. 2004) the Mind Lab method significantly improves children's performance on standardised maths, verbal and problem solving tests. This follows an earlier study (Green & Gendelman. 2003) which also demonstrated that Mind Lab produces a substantial and lasting improvement children's strategic reasoning and problem solving skills.
Schools also report significant development in pupils’ critical thinking and creative thinking as well as in many of the PSHE curriculum topics such as social education, self awareness, self confidence, cooperation, communication, personal responsibility and learning from ones mistakes.
At Snaresbrook College Preparatory School this year we are focusing on improving the children’s confidence to think round a problem, to help them develop different approaches to a problem, and to help them to be happy to learn from their mistakes. We were impressed with the Mind Lab approach and although we are only half way through our first term of Mind Lab lessons we can already see progress in these problem solving areas. However, the benefits go even further. The links to our PSHE programme are extremely valuable particularly with reinforcing listening skills, using and following instructions correctly, and managing turn taking and competitions. The skilful questioning by the Mind Lab teachers guiding the children to see how the strategies discussed can be applied in their school work and in everyday life is most beneficial also. All the children irrespective of ability are fully involved in the games and eagerly wait for their next lessons. The children can often be heard discussing the games and puzzles and the various strategies involved in their break and lunch times. Our staff find the opportunity to observe their class during their Mind Lab sessions very informative and can use this information within their own lesson planning. We are all very excited about the programme.
Mrs L. J. Chiverrell, Headteacher, Snaresbrook College Preparatory School |
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