#Education

A recent story published in Slate’s parenting advice column has sparked fresh debate and research interest into the psychological underpinnings of childhood fears—especially those triggered by well-meaning siblings. The case involved an almost-3-year-old who suddenly became terrified of going in her own backyard after her older brother invented a lake monster to keep her away from a potentially dangerous dock. Despite attempts to reassure her that the monster was not real, the fear caused lasting distress, including a newfound fear of the dark and the need for parental comfort at bedtime (Slate).

A new study suggests preschoolers’ brains respond differently to live storytelling than to screen-based stories, with live, in-person reading engaging social and emotional brain networks more strongly. Researchers used non-invasive brain imaging to compare neural activity during a traditional book reading with a prerecorded digital story accompanied by images. The findings point to meaningful differences in early social and cognitive development, with potential implications for Thai families and educators.

In Thailand, where family bonds and communal learning hold cultural importance, the study resonates as screens become more common in homes and classrooms. As Covid-era screen time rose and traditional book-reading habits declined, educators seek to understand how best to nurture social skills, language, and concentration in young children.

A groundbreaking new study has found that preschool children’s brains respond differently when stories are shared through live book reading versus on a screen, suggesting that how children experience stories may impact key aspects of their social and cognitive development. The research, published in the journal Developmental Science, used advanced neuroimaging technology to observe children’s brain activity during both types of storytelling—a live reading from a book and a recorded story paired with images on a screen (PsyPost).

A landmark international study narrows the field in the search for where consciousness arises in the brain, yet it stops short of declaring a final answer. Hundreds of participants across multiple laboratories tested the two leading theories—Integrated Information Theory (IIT) and Global Neuronal Workspace Theory (GNWT)—using advanced brain imaging. The results offer important directions for medicine and philosophy, including potential improvements in how Thai doctors assess patients with disorders of consciousness.

A recent surge in psychological and sociological research has ignited debate about how families should raise boys, with new findings showing that affectionate, patient, and emotionally engaged parenting is just as crucial for sons as it is for daughters—even more so, in some cases. This growing body of evidence, highlighted in a recent Atlantic feature, challenges long-held beliefs about masculinity, toughness, and what boys truly need to thrive, both in Western contexts and, importantly, for parents and educators across Thailand grappling with similar generational pressures.

A recent research study has revealed a fascinating psychological bias: while most individuals believe they are destined for good karma, they tend to expect that others will receive the opposite—bad karma. This counterintuitive finding, highlighted in a new article on CNN Health, offers profound insights into how beliefs in cosmic justice impact our perception of ourselves and those around us.

Karma, a concept rooted in Buddhist and Hindu traditions—and widely influential in Thai society—suggests that moral actions determine future consequences. The study’s results underline how this ancient belief manifests in modern attitudes, with significant psychological and social implications for communities shaped by Buddhist sensibilities like Thailand’s.

A growing body of research and recent commentary suggest that society’s heightened focus on mental health could paradoxically be undermining our collective sense of well-being. This provocative notion—explored in a recent article by The Telegraph—raises questions about whether our cultural “fixation” with monitoring, diagnosing, and discussing mental health might be fueling anxiety, undermining resilience, and, ironically, making us more miserable. The debate is especially relevant in Thailand, where stigma around mental health is gradually lifting, but imported Western mental health models are being embraced with mixed results.

The pandemic reshaped family life worldwide, and Thailand is no exception. Fathers are taking on more active roles in childcare and daily routines, a trend that appears to persist beyond lockdowns. This shift matters not just for families but for Thai society, signaling evolving parenting norms and social expectations.

Before 2020, Thai culture often pictured fathers as primary breadwinners, while mothers handled day-to-day childcare and household tasks. The COVID-19 era disrupted these norms, with remote work and school closures forcing parents to stay home. Many fathers began assisting with online schooling, meal preparation, and playtime, marking a notable departure from traditional roles.

A growing body of psychological and sociological research suggests that affectionate, patient, and emotionally engaged parenting matters just as much for boys as for girls—sometimes even more for boys’ emotional health. New findings challenge traditional ideas of masculinity and show that early nurturing shapes outcomes in education, behavior, and mental well-being. This is especially relevant for Thai parents and educators navigating changing family dynamics and modern pressures.

Long-standing ideas about raising boys to be “tough” can overlook their emotional needs. Global studies indicate that parents often talk, read, and sing more to daughters and feel closer to them in early childhood. When fathers and mothers have limited time or emotional bandwidth for boys, boys may miss opportunities to develop healthy emotion regulation. Such patterns can contribute to later behavioral and mental health challenges.

A growing body of research suggests that our increasing attention to mental health may not always boost happiness. A recent analysis in The Telegraph questions whether constant monitoring, diagnosing, and discussing wellbeing could, in some cases, heighten anxiety and reduce resilience. The discussion matters in Thailand, where stigma around mental health is easing, yet Western models are adopted with mixed results.

Globally, mental health awareness surged after the COVID-19 pandemic, with schools, workplaces, and governments promoting openness and reducing stigma. In Thailand, universities, government bodies, and NGOs have expanded counselling and support services. Yet commentators warn that relentless attention to mental health can, paradoxically, make people more anxious.

Tariffs — taxes on imported goods — are central to economic policy debates in Thailand and around the world. Governments use them to manage trade, support local industries, and, at times, pressure trading partners. But what do tariffs mean for everyday Thais? Understanding their pros and cons matters as Thailand integrates with global markets and aims to boost local businesses.

A tariff acts as a government levy on imports. For instance, a 10% tariff on imported rice would raise prices for Thai consumers and for local companies that rely on imported inputs. Tariffs can shield infant industries, encourage domestic entrepreneurship, and generate government revenue. Yet they can also push prices higher, complicate international relations, and invite retaliation from trading partners. Data from the World Bank highlights these trade‑off dynamics in policy debates.

A new era in the scientific quest to pinpoint where consciousness arises in the brain has arrived with the publication of an unprecedented collaborative study, revealing tantalizing clues—but offering no final answers. International neuroscientists, working with the backing of major institutions, have tested the top two competing theories about consciousness using sophisticated brain imaging across hundreds of participants, uncovering emerging insights with far-reaching implications for clinical medicine and philosophical understanding.

A groundbreaking international review has found that even brief, high-intensity physical activity—like brisk walking for just a few minutes at a time—can significantly reduce the risk of dementia and slow cognitive decline as people age. Published in The Lancet and led by researchers from Norway’s Cardiac Exercise Research Group in collaboration with the Queensland Brain Institute, this study underscores the immense brain benefits of “microtraining” and calls for urgent updates to global and Thai physical activity guidelines to reflect these new findings (Neuroscience News).

A new international review suggests that brief, high-intensity activity—such as brisk walking for just a few minutes at a time—may significantly cut dementia risk and slow cognitive decline in older adults. Published in The Lancet and led by researchers from Norway’s Cardiac Exercise Research Group in collaboration with the Queensland Brain Institute, the study highlights the brain benefits of “microtraining” and urges updates to global and Thai physical activity guidelines to reflect these findings.

Stress is increasingly a daily reality in Thailand and around the world. New studies emphasize that chronic stress affects not only workplaces but everyday life and long-term health. For Thai readers navigating rapid economic change, social media pressures, and evolving work-life demands, understanding effective stress management is essential for both mental and physical well-being.

Recent global findings show that a large share of workers experience heightened stress. In major economies, up to six in ten employees report elevated work-related stress, with a 2024 global survey noting that 79% describe moderate-to-high stress. Younger workers and women often feel the most pressure. Common triggers include heavy workloads, blurred boundaries between work and home, financial strain, and constant connectivity. In Thailand, these pressures are intensified by cultural expectations around family roles, education, and the brisk pace of urban and rural life.

The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally redefined family life across the globe, with Thailand seeing its own transformation as fathers take on more active roles in childcare and family routines. Recent reports, including an op-ed from The New York Times, highlight a growing trend: dads are spending more time with their children since the pandemic, and this pattern appears to be holding steady post-pandemic (nytimes.com). This shift has significance not only for families but for the broader social fabric, raising questions about the future of parenting roles in Thailand and beyond.

A new study reveals a curious psychological pattern: people often feel confident that they themselves will experience good karma, while expecting others to face bad karma. The finding offers insight into how beliefs about cosmic justice shape how Thai communities view morality, fault, and outcomes.

Karma, rooted in Buddhist and Hindu traditions and deeply influential in Thai culture, is often seen as a guide to conduct and future consequences. The study suggests that modern attitudes still reflect this ancient idea, with potential effects on how individuals relate to one another and respond to social events. According to researchers featured in the study, many people view their own actions through a forgiving lens, while predicting harsher consequences for those they deem morally wrong.

Tariffs, or taxes on imported goods, are a hot topic in economic policy debates both in Thailand and around the world. Governments use tariffs to manage foreign trade, protect local industries, and sometimes to retaliate against trading partners. But what do tariffs really mean for the average person? Understanding the pros and cons of tariffs is essential as Thailand navigates its role in the global economy, especially during times of economic uncertainty and growing calls to support local businesses.

The 12-note musical scale, the backbone of Western music and much of the global soundscape, is so familiar that its origin is often taken for granted. Why did music across diverse civilizations, after centuries of experimentation, converge on dividing the octave into twelve distinct pitches? The answer is a fascinating tale of mathematical harmonics, cultural evolution, instrumental limitations, and the very nature of human hearing.

Music has been a part of humanity for tens of thousands of years. Early instruments uncovered by archaeologists—such as flutes made from bone—suggest that the urge to organize sound predates written history. The concept of a ‘scale’—a sequence of pitches arranged in ascending or descending order—emerged as societies sought structure in their music, making it teachable, memorable, and shareable. The word ‘scale’ itself comes from the Latin ‘scala’, meaning ’ladder’, a metaphor still apt today as musicians ascend and descend their own sonic staircases (Wikipedia). The way those rungs are spaced, though, is not simply a cultural artifact—it reflects deep acoustic and mathematical truths.

The 12-note scale underpins Western music and much of today’s global sound. Yet its origin is not obvious. It emerged from a mix of harmonic science, cultural evolution, instrument design, and the way human ears perceive pitch. The result is a practical compromise that made music teachable, portable, and expressive across keys.

Across millennia, humans have played with organized sound. Early bone flutes and other ancient instruments reveal a longing to structure tone. The concept of a scale—ordered pitches rising or falling—helped music become teachable, memorable, and shareable. In Western terms, the word scale traces back to the Latin scala, meaning ladder, a fitting image for how melodies rise and fall. The exact spacing of these notes, however, reflects deep acoustical and mathematical truths rather than mere convention.

A growing body of scientific research highlights how small morning habits can sharpen children’s thinking and support healthier lifestyles. Thai parents and teachers are taking notice, as international features discuss practical routines that families can weave into daily life to boost intelligence, focus, and academic success.

Researchers point to the first hours after waking as crucial for a child’s brain development. Educators in Thailand are eager to translate this knowledge into classroom and home practices that help close learning gaps and strengthen long-term health. Data from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health indicates that everyday habits play a meaningful role in children’s well-being and school readiness.

A recent study has sounded the alarm over the nutritional quality of widely used baby food pouches, revealing that many of these convenient products are high in sugar and lack essential nutrients critical for infant development. With their growing popularity among busy parents in Thailand and around the world, these findings are likely to raise important questions about the health impacts of processed baby foods and the need for clearer regulations and better consumer awareness.

A recent peer-reviewed study raises concerns about the nutritional quality of popular baby food pouches. The findings show many pouches are high in sugar and fall short on essential nutrients needed for infant growth. With the rise of these convenient products among busy Thai families and consumers worldwide, questions are emerging about health impacts and the need for clearer regulations and consumer education.

Over the last decade, ready-to-use baby food pouches have become common on store shelves, praised for convenience and portability. Yet the study, highlighted by a national health outlet, analyzed dozens of pouches and found that a large share contain sugar levels comparable to soft drinks while lacking iron, zinc, and protein — nutrients vital for brain development and immune function. Experts warn that frequent consumption of sugar-rich, nutrient-poor foods could contribute to obesity, dental issues, and possible developmental delays.

A major South Korean study provides robust evidence that maintaining or increasing physical activity over time can significantly reduce the risk and severity of depression. The findings, published in a leading psychology journal, followed nearly four million adults and showed that those who stayed active or became more active reported fewer depressive symptoms and lower rates of clinical depression. This large-scale study underscores that regular movement supports mental well-being in addition to physical health, with relevance for Thailand’s health strategies as well.