Teachable Moments

In 2025, South Carolina implemented a statewide ban on cellphone use in classrooms. Nationwide, early results are mixed. Some schools report fewer disruptions, more engagement, and small gains in academic performance, and teachers describe calmer classrooms and more attention.Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.Learn more about the College of Charleston here.

Each summer, when school lets out, children fall behind in reading. Research shows that students lose one to two months of reading proficiency over the summer. For struggling readers or children with learning disabilities, the losses can be even greater. Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.Learn more about the College of Charleston here.

On the eve of America’s 250th anniversary, the College of Charleston reflects on its place in history. Founded by leaders who helped shape the nation, the College has long been tied to the American experiment — a place where ideas, civic responsibility, and public service took root.Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.Learn more about the College of Charleston here.

AI tools are increasingly being used to read aloud to children, becoming part of daily routines at home and in school. For busy families, it’s easy to see the appeal, but experts warn that something gets lost when a machine takes over story time. Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.Learn more about the College of Charleston here.

Bullying is more common in elementary schools than parents might expect. About one in four children report being bullied at school, and the negative effects can follow them for years: shaping their confidence and social skills.Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.Learn more about the College of Charleston here.

Choosing a college used to mean campus tours, college fairs, and meeting with counselors. But a new report from the Education Advisory Board says that’s changing. Of the more than five thousand students surveyed, about half say they use AI to choose a college Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.Learn more about the College of Charleston here.

Many parents have mixed feelings when their child becomes a licensed driver. There’s the relief of spending less time behind the wheel, shuttling kids to school and practices, but there’s also the very real worry about safety.Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.Learn more about the College of Charleston here.

As we head into summer, commencement speakers across the country are sharing words of wisdom with high school and college students. The messages are universal: work hard, be kind, and don’t be afraid of failure.Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.Learn more about the College of Charleston here.

This summer, many students are spending their days at the beach instead of the classroom. While soaking up the sun can boost our vitamin D, exposure to ultraviolet light can damage our skin. Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.Learn more about the College of Charleston here.

Sibling relationships are complicated. For many, it’s the only relationship that lasts from childhood to adulthood. Siblings are our first friends and rivals. Over time, they become mirrors, reminding us who we were and who we’ve become. Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.Learn more about the College of Charleston here.

As rites of passage go, few are as momentous as college graduation. The commencement ceremony marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. To ensure a smooth process, students should plan ahead and stay informed of deadlines.Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.Learn more about the College of Charleston here.

A summer job gives kids more than spending money. It builds grit: showing up, taking feedback, and sticking with a task when it’s not easy. Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.Learn more about the College of Charleston here.

With Daylight Saving in the rearview mirror, many people are asking why we continue with this bi-annual ritual. Cindy Mae, a professor of psychology at the College of Charleston, co-authored a study that looked at how your chronotype plays a critical role in how we think.Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.

The mental health of adolescents remains a serious and growing problem. In 2021, 42% of high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless, up from 26% in 2009.Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.

More than 124 million children across the world are considered obese. Childhood obesity leads to poor mental and physical health outcomes and sets them up for a lifelong trajectory of poor health.Visit SouthCarolinaPublicRadio.org/teachable for more segments and full transcripts.