Key Publications by Stanislas Dehaene
Stanislas Dehaene is one of the world’s leading cognitive neuroscientists, known for his influential research on numerical cognition, reading, and consciousness. His work bridges neuroscience, psychology, mathematics, and education, offering profound insights into how the brain supports complex cognitive functions. Dehaene’s key publications have helped shape modern understanding of learning, awareness, and neural processing.
The Number Sense (1997)
In The Number Sense: How the Mind Creates Mathematics, Dehaene explores how humans and animals are born with an intuitive sense of quantity. He explains that this innate number sense allows individuals to estimate, compare, and manipulate quantities long before formal education begins. The book presents evidence from developmental psychology, neuroscience, and cross-species studies, demonstrating that the intraparietal sulcus plays a central role in representing numerical magnitude. This work laid the foundation for future studies on numerical cognition and developmental dyscalculia.
Reading in the Brain (2009)
Dehaene’s Reading in the Brain: The Science and Evolution of a Human Invention examines how the brain learns to read—a skill for which it did not evolve. He introduces the concept of neuronal recycling, where circuits originally designed for object recognition are repurposed to support reading. The book highlights the role of the visual word form area in recognizing written words and letters and emphasizes the importance of phonological decoding in learning to read. This publication has had a major impact on educational approaches, especially in advocating for explicit phonics instruction.
Consciousness and the Brain (2014)
In Consciousness and the Brain: Deciphering How the Brain Codes Our Thoughts, Dehaene presents his Global Neuronal Workspace Theory. He explains how conscious awareness arises from the widespread sharing of information across fronto-parietal networks, making it accessible to systems for memory, attention, and decision-making. Dehaene combines experimental evidence from fMRI, EEG, and MEG studies to illustrate how conscious and unconscious processes differ in the brain. This book offers a scientific framework for understanding the neural mechanisms of consciousness, bridging cognitive neuroscience and philosophy.
How We Learn (2018, French edition)
Published in French as Apprendre!, this book synthesizes Dehaene’s research on brain plasticity and learning. It explores how the brain changes in response to structured practice and why certain teaching methods are more effective. Dehaene emphasizes the importance of attention, reward, feedback, and sleep in consolidating new skills. This work provides practical guidance for educators on creating learning environments that align with the brain’s natural mechanisms.
Educational Implications
Dehaene’s publications have had a significant influence on education policy and practice worldwide. His research highlights the importance of evidence-based instruction that matches the brain’s learning architecture. Whether through phonics-based reading instruction, structured numeracy teaching, or strategies that support attention and metacognition, Dehaene’s work provides a foundation for designing effective educational programs.
The Approach at Kintess
At Kintess, the curriculum reflects the principles found in Dehaene’s key publications. Reading instruction emphasizes systematic phonics and activities that strengthen the brain’s visual and phonological pathways. Numeracy teaching builds on students’ intuitive number sense using hands-on, exploratory methods. The school also incorporates practices that promote conscious engagement, attention, and reflection such as mindfulness exercises, journaling, and collaborative learning. Teachers at Kintess use formative assessments to tailor instruction, ensuring that each child’s unique brain profile is supported. This brain-based, research-informed approach helps students at Kintess become confident, capable, and curious learners.