hand gestures and mathiness!

[aesc]

Hee! I came across this last night, and it's great!

Gestures Convey Message: Learning in Progress
Children who talk with their hands do better at math

Neuroscientists have found, for example, that the part of the brain that controls hand movements is often active when people are doing math problems. "As though you're counting fingers," Glenberg said.

[Washington Post article]

This explains a lot, and means there were probably a lot of little kids getting smacked in Rodney's first-grade class. And what a terribly cute mental picture that is, too.



May have to do a Hands of Enthusiastic Explanation picspam, because apparently research has also shown that teachers who incorporate gestures into lecture/explanation are more effective.

ETA: And, as tx_tart points out, the potential to be really, really hot :>

Comments

[ainsley.livejournal.com]

Oh! My family, when they want me to be quiet, makes me sit on my hands, because I *cannot* talk that way.

That may be my favorite photo of Rodney ever.

(Also: your birthday fic is REFUSING to be a PWP. And plot takes so damn long! So, forgive me for its belatedness? ::waves hands cutely::)

[aesc.livejournal.com]

My family, when they want me to be quiet, makes me sit on my hands, because I *cannot* talk that way.

Poor you! *pets* Usually I am a fairly quiet person, but when asked to explain something, I'm capable of going on at great length and accessorizing with numerous gestures.

That may be my favorite photo of Rodney ever.

He's so happy and pleased with himself! And the sleeves of his jacket covering his wrists... so cute :>

[ainsley.livejournal.com]

I like your description of gestures as accessories!

Plus the position of his hands is just glorious.

[aesc.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :) They are very important to set off what I'm saying, especially because I tend to babble the more excited I get about what I'm talking about.

Oh, and because I forgot in my last comment (*sigh* very long seminar tonight), worry not! *anticipates nonetheless*

[ainsley.livejournal.com]

Whew! I have found a beta, because that's a challenge when you're a new writer. So the delay means it stands a chance of being worth the wait!

Of course, it also gives it time to breed plot bunnies. There's this one with John and a sceptre...