cognitive skills

A 73,000-year-old ochre fragment from Blombos Cave, South Africa, reveals a deliberate cross-hatched pattern, pushing back the earliest evidence of drawing by 30,000 years. This finding, supported by microscopic and chemical analyses, indicates sophisticated planning and intentional graphic expression by early humans, predating previous assumptions about the origins of art and symbolic thought.

Basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, a fifty-four-year-old business mogul, recently graduated for the fourth time, earning a master's degree. Addressing graduates, he stressed character, humility, and treating others well over mere qualifications. Shaq emphasised that learning from failures is crucial for long-term success in today's competitive world, offering a powerful message to young professionals.

Tech giant Google is piloting a new interview format for software engineers, allowing AI assistant use during technical rounds. This move reflects the evolving engineering landscape, where AI plays a significant role. Candidates will be assessed on their ability to work with AI, including prompt engineering and output validation, aiming to mirror modern development practices.

As students across CBSE, ICSE, IB and State Board schools increasingly navigate different career paths, professional career counselling has quietly emerged as an essential support system

Michael Dell, founder of Dell Technologies, emphasizes that success hinges on how effectively one handles and learns from failure. His journey, from a college dorm to a tech giant, showcases this principle. Dell's quote highlights that processing setbacks, not avoiding them, is the primary driver of long-term achievement, a crucial lesson for navigating today's achievement-focused world.

The Department of School Education and Literacy has launched the Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp in New Delhi to promote multilingual learning among school students. Launched by Secretary Sanjay Kumar, the programme aligns with NEP 2020 and focuses on exposing students to Indian languages through school-based activities. It covers Classes 1 to 12 and includes Indian Sign Language. Officials said it aims to support language learning, cognitive development, and awareness of linguistic diversity across schools.

Social media's pervasive influence is reshaping childhood, impacting attention spans, emotional regulation, and self-esteem among Indian youth. Experts and parents highlight concerns over digital addiction, cyberbullying, and the erosion of real-world interactions. While acknowledging its benefits, the article stresses the need for balanced, mindful usage and open communication to navigate this digital landscape.

From AI labs to decision simulations, institutions are integrating AI, data analytics, and simulations to prepare future-ready leaders

Protecting memory and thinking skills doesn't require expensive solutions. Harvard neurologist Dr. Scott McGinnis highlights that regular moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking, can increase brain volume and indirectly boost cognitive function by improving mood and sleep. Consistency is key, with benefits appearing after about six months of aiming for 150 minutes weekly.

Pregnancy and childbirth trigger significant physiological, psychological, and emotional transformations in women, often leading to "mommy brain" characterized by forgetfulness and mental fog. Scientific studies reveal neural recalibration, not decline, as the brain adapts to caregiving demands. This experience, while common, requires understanding and support for new mothers navigating identity shifts and cognitive loads.

Experts advise parents to consider a child's maturity, not just age, before giving them a first phone. Starting with basic devices and gradually introducing smartphones with monitoring tools is recommended. Open communication about online safety and responsible usage is crucial. Parents should also model healthy screen time habits. This approach helps children navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

A Microsoft study reveals workplace culture, not technology, hinders AI adoption. Employees are eager, but outdated systems, incentives, and leadership alignment lag. Despite fears of falling behind, few feel rewarded for AI experimentation. Companies must restructure work processes to truly leverage AI's potential, according to the report.

About 91% centres run from rented spaces, over half barely in 25-50 square yards, and 22% in even smaller areas

Concerns about children being left-handed stem from myths, not science. Experts confirm handedness is linked to brain lateralization, with no evidence of disadvantage for lefties. Forcing a switch can hinder development. Instead, parents should provide appropriate tools and foster natural development, ensuring left-handed children thrive.

Did you know that honeybees are tiny mathematicians? New research has shown that these incredible insects can grasp numerical concepts, even the elusive zero! This discovery, which takes into account how bees see the world, reveals that they don't just follow visual cues but actually process numbers.

Dance, drama, music & more: as preschool enrichment surges, ‘edutainment’ is turning into a must-have budget item

Parrots possess a remarkable ability to mimic human speech due to their unique vocal organs and brain structure, enabling them to learn and replicate sounds with exceptional accuracy. While they use imitation for social bonding and interaction, this mimicry is primarily associative learning, not true linguistic comprehension.

Admission delays push some children past school entry age, widening early learning gaps

350 students across the district are supposed to get the report cards under the new system this year