Educational Neuroscience
The field of educational neuroscience uses new insights about the neural mechanisms
of learning to improve educational practices and outcomes. The first volume to bring
together the latest knowledge on the development of educational neuroscience
from a life-span perspective, this important text offers state of the art, authoritative
research findings in educational neuroscience before providing evidence-based
recommendations for classroom practice.
Thomas, Mareschal, Dumontheil, and the team of expert international contributors
assembled in this volume thoroughly explore four main themes throughout the book.
The first theme is individual differences, or what makes children perform better or worse
in the classroom. The second theme is the nature of individual differences at different
stages in development, from early years into adulthood. The third theme addresses
cognitive enhancement, summarising research that has investigated activities that
might give general benefits to cognition. The fourth theme considers the translation
of research findings into classroom practices, discussing broader ethical issues raised
by educational neuroscience, and what teachers need to know about neuroscience to
enhance their day-to-day practice. Specific topics explored include neuropsychological
perspectives on socioeconomic disparities in educational achievement, reading
difficulties, phonological skills, executive function, and emotional development.
Educational Neuroscience is essential reading for researchers and graduate students
of educational psychology, developmental science, developmental psychology, and
cognitive psychology, especially those specializing in emotion regulation.
Michael S. C. Thomas obtained his PhD from the University of Oxford and completed
a postdoctoral fellowship at the UCL Institute of Child Health. His research in
developmental cognitive neuroscience focuses on the origins of cognitive variability,
including developmental disorders. He is Director of the University of London Centre
for Educational Neuroscience, UK.
Denis Mareschal is Director of the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development,
University of London, UK. He has published extensively on all aspects of learning
and development across infancy and childhood, and is a recipient of the Marr Prize
(Cognitive Science Society, USA), the Young Researcher Award (International Society
on Infant Studies, USA), and the Margaret Donaldson Prize (British Psychological
Society, UK).
Iroise Dumontheil obtained a PhD from the University of Paris VI and then was a
postdoctoral fellow in labs in London, Cambridge and Stockholm. She is a recipient
of the Spearman Medal (British Psychological Society) and the Elizabeth Warrington
Prize (British Neuropsychological Society). Her research focuses on the typical
development of the brain, cognition and behaviour during adolescence, and on the
implication of these findings for education.
15031-3576d-1pass-r02.indd 1 2/5/2020 4:24:31 AM
, Frontiers of Developmental Science
Series Editors: Martha Ann Bell and Kirby Deater-Deckard
Frontiers of Developmental Science is a series of edited volumes that aims to
deliver inclusive developmental perspectives on substantive areas in psychol-
ogy. Interdisciplinary and life-span oriented in its objectives and coverage, the
series underscores the dynamic and exciting status of contemporary develop-
mental science.
Social Cognition
Development Across the Life Span
Jessica A. Sommerville and Jean Decety
Executive Function
Development Across the Life Span
Sandra A. Wiebe and Julia Karbach
Emotion Regulation
A Matter of Time
Pamela M. Cole and Tom Hollenstein
Reach-to-Grasp Behavior
Brain, Behavior, and Modelling Across the Life Span
Daniela Corbetta and Marco Santello
Educational Neuroscience
Development Across the Life Span
Edited by Michael S. C. Thomas, Denis Mareschal and Iroise Dumontheil
For more information about this series, please visit: www.routledge.com/
Frontiers-of-Developmental-Science/book-series/FRONDEVSCI
15031-3576d-1pass-r02.indd 2 2/5/2020 4:24:31 AM
, Educational Neuroscience
Development Across the Life Span
Edited by Michael S. C. Thomas,
Denis Mareschal and Iroise Dumontheil
15031-3576d-1pass-r02.indd 3 2/5/2020 4:24:31 AM
, First published 2020
by Routledge
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2020 selection and editorial matter, Michael S. C. Thomas,
Denis Mareschal and Iroise Dumontheil; individual chapters, the
contributors.
The right of Michael S. C. Thomas, Denis Mareschal and Iroise Dumontheil
to be identified as the authors of the editorial material, and of the authors for
their individual chapters, has been asserted in accordance with sections 77
and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks
or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and
explanation without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record for this book has been requested
ISBN: 978-1-138-24034-6 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-24035-3 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-01683-0 (ebk)
Typeset in Goudy
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
15031-3576d-1pass-r02.indd 4 2/5/2020 4:24:32 AM
The field of educational neuroscience uses new insights about the neural mechanisms
of learning to improve educational practices and outcomes. The first volume to bring
together the latest knowledge on the development of educational neuroscience
from a life-span perspective, this important text offers state of the art, authoritative
research findings in educational neuroscience before providing evidence-based
recommendations for classroom practice.
Thomas, Mareschal, Dumontheil, and the team of expert international contributors
assembled in this volume thoroughly explore four main themes throughout the book.
The first theme is individual differences, or what makes children perform better or worse
in the classroom. The second theme is the nature of individual differences at different
stages in development, from early years into adulthood. The third theme addresses
cognitive enhancement, summarising research that has investigated activities that
might give general benefits to cognition. The fourth theme considers the translation
of research findings into classroom practices, discussing broader ethical issues raised
by educational neuroscience, and what teachers need to know about neuroscience to
enhance their day-to-day practice. Specific topics explored include neuropsychological
perspectives on socioeconomic disparities in educational achievement, reading
difficulties, phonological skills, executive function, and emotional development.
Educational Neuroscience is essential reading for researchers and graduate students
of educational psychology, developmental science, developmental psychology, and
cognitive psychology, especially those specializing in emotion regulation.
Michael S. C. Thomas obtained his PhD from the University of Oxford and completed
a postdoctoral fellowship at the UCL Institute of Child Health. His research in
developmental cognitive neuroscience focuses on the origins of cognitive variability,
including developmental disorders. He is Director of the University of London Centre
for Educational Neuroscience, UK.
Denis Mareschal is Director of the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development,
University of London, UK. He has published extensively on all aspects of learning
and development across infancy and childhood, and is a recipient of the Marr Prize
(Cognitive Science Society, USA), the Young Researcher Award (International Society
on Infant Studies, USA), and the Margaret Donaldson Prize (British Psychological
Society, UK).
Iroise Dumontheil obtained a PhD from the University of Paris VI and then was a
postdoctoral fellow in labs in London, Cambridge and Stockholm. She is a recipient
of the Spearman Medal (British Psychological Society) and the Elizabeth Warrington
Prize (British Neuropsychological Society). Her research focuses on the typical
development of the brain, cognition and behaviour during adolescence, and on the
implication of these findings for education.
15031-3576d-1pass-r02.indd 1 2/5/2020 4:24:31 AM
, Frontiers of Developmental Science
Series Editors: Martha Ann Bell and Kirby Deater-Deckard
Frontiers of Developmental Science is a series of edited volumes that aims to
deliver inclusive developmental perspectives on substantive areas in psychol-
ogy. Interdisciplinary and life-span oriented in its objectives and coverage, the
series underscores the dynamic and exciting status of contemporary develop-
mental science.
Social Cognition
Development Across the Life Span
Jessica A. Sommerville and Jean Decety
Executive Function
Development Across the Life Span
Sandra A. Wiebe and Julia Karbach
Emotion Regulation
A Matter of Time
Pamela M. Cole and Tom Hollenstein
Reach-to-Grasp Behavior
Brain, Behavior, and Modelling Across the Life Span
Daniela Corbetta and Marco Santello
Educational Neuroscience
Development Across the Life Span
Edited by Michael S. C. Thomas, Denis Mareschal and Iroise Dumontheil
For more information about this series, please visit: www.routledge.com/
Frontiers-of-Developmental-Science/book-series/FRONDEVSCI
15031-3576d-1pass-r02.indd 2 2/5/2020 4:24:31 AM
, Educational Neuroscience
Development Across the Life Span
Edited by Michael S. C. Thomas,
Denis Mareschal and Iroise Dumontheil
15031-3576d-1pass-r02.indd 3 2/5/2020 4:24:31 AM
, First published 2020
by Routledge
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2020 selection and editorial matter, Michael S. C. Thomas,
Denis Mareschal and Iroise Dumontheil; individual chapters, the
contributors.
The right of Michael S. C. Thomas, Denis Mareschal and Iroise Dumontheil
to be identified as the authors of the editorial material, and of the authors for
their individual chapters, has been asserted in accordance with sections 77
and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks
or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and
explanation without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record for this book has been requested
ISBN: 978-1-138-24034-6 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-24035-3 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-01683-0 (ebk)
Typeset in Goudy
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
15031-3576d-1pass-r02.indd 4 2/5/2020 4:24:32 AM
