Furthermore, this synchrony predicted their subsequent performance on math questions. Our results suggests that gestures align conceptual representations which may help kids mentally map out abstract math concepts.

We found interbrain synchrony in regions of the brain associated with math processing when kids learned from gestures, but not when they watched the teacher moved magnetic numbers.

Gesture-based Instruction Enhances Neural Synchrony and Predicts Children's Mathematical Learning Abstract. Teachers' hand movements during instruction can influence how children learn mathematics, but not all movements are equally effective. Gesture-based instruction on problems such as 4 + 2 + 5...

Why do kids learn better from gestures than visually similar actions with objects? In our new paper out in JoCN, we looked at how the brain responds to both. Check out the full paper here: doi.org/10.1162/JOCN...

Thanks to @ycleong.bsky.social Susan Goldin-Meadow, Marc Berman and all collaborators!

We updated our preprint! Please check it out ✌️

Thank you so much!

Excited to share the new preprint —grateful for the opportunity to work with @gabriellavigliocco.bsky.social @eddonnellan.bsky.social We explored how iconic gestures support children’s word learning. Excited to see it out!