Welcome to the May 2025 Learning Brain News.

While compiling the items for each month’s news, we are overwhelmed by the amount of interesting research being conducted around the world. This month you can read about research into how babies learn word meanings, the connection between handwriting and reading, and how AI is helping detect child abuse.

Enjoy,
The Learning Brain News Team 

Babies Learn Words Without Visuals

Infants as young as 15 months can use language context to infer the meaning of words referring to objects they’ve never seen. Researchers found that when 15-month-olds heard a new word in a familiar context, like "kumquat" during a conversation about fruit, they later identified the unseen object correctly.

The findings highlight that babies are not just passive listeners, they actively construct knowledge from the language they hear, even about things they can't see.

Children's Reading and Writing Develop Better When they are Trained in Handwriting

Researchers explored how manual and keyboard practice influenced children's abilities in their reading and writing learning process. 5-year-olds were taught an artificial alphabet using different techniques, and the conclusion was that children who are trained with pencil and paper assimilate new letters and words better.

AI Enhances Detection of Child Abuse Cases

A new study found that artificial intelligence can better identify instances of physical child abuse in emergency rooms compared to traditional diagnostic methods. Researchers developed a machine-learning model that more accurately estimated abuse prevalence based on high-risk injuries and physical abuse indicators.

Brain Prioritises What to Remember When Memory Space Runs Low

A new study reveals how the brain allocates limited working memory by giving priority items more precise representation. Using fMRI scans, researchers found that the visual cortex encodes all visual information, while the frontal cortex decides which items deserve greater cognitive resources.

Which Medications are Commonly Prescribed for Autistic People and Why?

People with Autism often have strengths such as focus, honesty and dedication. But they also have higher rates of other health conditions.

Common mental health conditions include anxiety, depression, attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders and intellectual developmental disorder.

Common physical health conditions include epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease.
The core features of autism can’t be altered. But a range of talking therapies and medications can help manage these other health conditions.

How to Explain ADHD to Children

One of the greatest gifts you can give your ADHD child is a strong understanding of their brain. The more your child understands about their brain wiring and systems for internal and external information, the greater their self-awareness, confidence, and self-advocacy skills.

Use the examples in this article to help you explain ADHD to your child in easy-to-understand language that diminishes shame and accentuates strengths.

What is Executive Function?

Neuroscientist, Dr Bill Jenkins explains why executive function is so important for success at school and throughout life.

Download this ebook to learn about:

• The three interrelated skills of executive function
• Why parents need to help their children develop sound executive function skills in early childhood
• How an understanding of executive function helps parents collaborate with teachers.