Dr. Pamela Cantor raises her right hand over her head along with several elementary students at P.S. 85 Great Expectations School in the Bronx.

Pamela Cantor, M.D. at P.S. 85 Great Expectations School, Bronx, NY. Photo: Brian Hatton

We can overcome enormous stress and huge obstacles to thriving.

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Books

The cover of the Science of Learning and Development book edited by Pamela Cantor and David Osher.
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The Science of Learning and Development

Enhancing the Lives of All Young People.

The cover of the Whole-Child Development, Learning, and Thriving by Pamela Cantor Richard Lerner, Karen Pittman, Paul Chase and Nora Gomperts.
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Whole-Child Development, Learning, and Thriving

How children develop through a system of dynamic relationships and the collective set of contexts that they experience across their life spans.

Academic Papers

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Building Blocks for Learning

A framework for the development of skills children need for success in school and beyond.

Implications for Educational Practice of the Science of Learning and Development

A research synthesis by Linda Darling-Hammond aimed at educators.

Drivers of Human Development: How Relationships and Context Shape Learning and Development

A synthesis of the role of relationships and key macro and micro-contexts—poverty, racism, families, communities, schools, and peers—in supporting and/or undermining the healthy development of children and youth, using a relational developmental systems framework.

Malleability, Plasticity, and Individuality—How Children Learn and Develop in Context

A synthesis of foundational knowledge from multiple scientific disciplines regarding how humans develop in context.

Videos

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Harlem Children’s Zone Power of Place 2024
Harlem Children’s Zone Power of Place 2024

Pamela Cantor, M.D., founder and CEO of The Human Potential L.A.B., joined colleague Jim Shelton for a panel discussion at Harlem Children’s Zone Power of Place 2024. a gathering of leaders working to drive social and economic mobility, at scale, for the most vulnerable children and families in our country.

November 15, 2024, Miami, FL.

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YOU Belong in STEM
YOU Belong in STEM

U.S. Department of Education, National Coordinating Conference

Dec 7, 2022

Articles

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All Children Thriving: A New Purpose for Education

Pamela Cantor, M.D. discusses the inequities of the current education system and proposes a new vision for learning grounded in whole-child development.

How A.I. Chatbots Could Solve The Two Sigma Problem

Don't be afraid of A.I. Chatbots. They could be key to boosting your child's learning.

Podcasts

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Notes from the Backpack
Notes from the Backpack

National PTA Podcast, featuring Pamela Cantor, M.D., on how to help your child through crises.

Using Science to Imagine a New Purpose and Design for Education
Using Science to Imagine a New Purpose and Design for Education

New research in youth and adolescent development and what it means for creating learning contexts that truly support and nurture the whole child.

The 180 Podcast | Pamela Cantor, M.D.: State of Emergency in Adolescent Mental Health
The 180 Podcast | Pamela Cantor, M.D.: State of Emergency in Adolescent Mental Health

So what is it about adolescents and the adolescent brain that has made them particularly vulnerable to pandemic stress. And what can we as teachers, parents, and caregivers do to support them?

Press

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Pamela Cantor, M.D. Explains The Biology of Learning and Its Link to Belonging
Pamela Cantor, M.D. Explains The Biology of Learning and Its Link to Belonging

Pamela Cantor, M.D., explains the biology of learning and its connection to belonging in this video from History Co:Lab as part of the Building Belonging Project, a product of the Jacobs Foundation and New America’s Learning Sciences Exchange (LSX) fellowship.

Parents Worry their Kids Might Struggle with Anxiety and Depression
Parents Worry their Kids Might Struggle with Anxiety and Depression

NPR's A. Martínez interviews Pamela Cantor, M.D. about a Pew report that finds U.S. parents' biggest concern is the mental health of their children.

#TurnThePageProject
#TurnThePageProject

Reimagining education in the United States.

NBC News TODAY Parents with Kate Snow
NBC News TODAY Parents with Kate Snow

Learning Loss: Learn What We Can Do About It Watch Dr. Pamela Cantor, M.D. in conversation with NBC News' Kate Snow, National PTA President Anna King, and Co-CEO of Excellence Community Charter Schools Dr. Charlene Reid as they answer parents' top questions about supporting young learners. From motivation and resilience to summer learning and academic success, explore expert insights on what truly helps children thrive. Watch the full discussion here.

Playbook

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Design Principles for Schools
Design Principles for Schools

Putting the Science of Learning and Development Into Action