Program Description

“Tools of the Mind is a research-based early childhood model combining teacher professional development with a comprehensive innovative curriculum that helps young children to develop the cognitive, social-emotional, self-regulatory, and foundational academic skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.”

Cost

Contact publisher for pricing.

Intended Population

• Core

Grade

• Pre-K
• Elementary School

Intended Group Size

• Small group
• Classroom

ELL/DLL

• Unspecified

Multisensory Applications

• Yes

Computer-Based Delivery

• Partial

Scripted

• Instructor Scripted

Comprehensive or Skill Specific

• Comprehensive

Placement Tests

• Unspecified

Accelerated Learning

• Unspecified

Assessment to Monitor Skills Mastery

• Unspecified

Error Correction Built In

• Unspecified

Fidelity Measures Provided by Publisher

• Unspecified

Research Summary

A literature review revealed mixed evidence for Tools of the Mind. Studies found positive effects on teachers’ perceptions of students’ social-emotional competence and self-regulation, children's social emotional well-being, peer relationships, math, reading skills, and positive behavior. However, other findings suggested no significant impact on math, cognition, oral language, or print knowledge.

Study Citations

Barnett, W., Jung, K., Yarosz, D., Thomas, J., Hornbeck, A., Stechuk, R., & Burns, S. (2008). Educational effects of the Tools of the Mind curriculum: A randomized trial. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 23(3), 299-313. doi: 10.1016/j.ecresq.2008.03.001 https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/8732/c14f80545ae0be8d858bc3a03edbbe2c7250.pdf

Blair, C., McKinnon, R. D. & Daneri, M. P. (2018). Effect of the Tools of the Mind Kindergarten Program on children's social and emotional development. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 43, 52-61.

Blair, C., & Raver, C. C. (2014). Closing the achievement gap through modification of neurocognitive and neuroendocrine function: Results from a cluster randomized controlled trial of an innovative approach to the education of children in kindergarten. PLOS One, 9(11), 1-13.

Bodrova, E., & Leong, D. J. (2001). Tools of the Mind: A case study of implementing the Vygotskian Approach in American early childhood and primary classrooms. Innodata Monographs 7. Geneva, Switzerland: UNESCO International Bureau of Education. http://www.ibe.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/archive/Publications/innodata/inno07.pdf

Imholz, S., & Petrosino, A. (2012). Teacher Observations on the Implementation of the Tools of the Mind curriculum in the classroom: Analysis of interviews conducted over a one-year period. Creative Education, 3(2), 185-192. doi: 10.4236/ce.2012.32029. https://file.scirp.org/pdf/CE20120200002_11368128.pdf

What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Report

• No discernible effects

Evidence Base (ESSA)

• Strong

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

• Mixed evidence