The Year's Most Usable

As 2018 draws to a close, we dug into our stats to see what Usable Knowledge pieces you found most usable (or, at least, what our most-read articles were!). We found that, in 2018, what resonated most were stories about connection — with our students, our children, and each other.

The Top 5 Usable Knowledge articles of 2018:

5. When to Give Your Child a Smart Phone In a year where Apple, the maker of the iPhone, was on the verge of becoming the United States’ first public company worth a trillion dollars, it’s no surprise that we have smart phones on our minds. When is it appropriate for children to have their own device? We talked to experts and found that, while there might not be an ideal age to put a smartphone under the Christmas tree, there are things you can do to help them use the technology responsibly.

4. The Power of Evening Routines The evening homework crunch can be too hectic of a time for families to connect. Heather Miller, the author of Prime-Time Parenting, offers advice on how to make evenings a pleasant part of the day that help advance children’s development and make the entire family happier.

3. What Makes a Good School Culture? Research shows that a good culture can be crucial to students’ success – but what does a good school culture entail? Harvard Graduate School of Education professor Ebony Bridwell-Mitchell breaks down the building blocks.

2. Helping Teachers Manage the Weight of Trauma Teachers are surrounded by people all day, but the profession can be isolating. Because teachers spend their days helping students with trauma, they can suffer from what’s called secondary traumatic stress, with tolls on their physical and mental health. Connecting with their fellow teachers and supporting one another can help.

1. The Brain Changing Power of Conversation In February,  Psychological Science published a study showing how conversation can ignite crucial language centers in infants’ brains, meaning it’s never too early to start talking with your child – even if they respond with gurgles. It was the first study to show how the words children hear at home change their brains.