Adverse Childhood Experiences, also known as ACEs, are early life events that can trigger toxic stress or trauma. They are very common, and they put kids at increased risk for a variety of bad health outcomes. But not all ACEs are equally harmful, and exposure doesn’t mean that an individual is doomed.
Recent studies reveal how toxic stress “gets under the skin” — disregulating hormones, turning genes “on” and “off,” and altering a child’s brain.
Can a lack of sleep cause stress? Research confirms that we experience more stress the day after a poor night’s sleep. And the effects might be particularly noticeable for parents struggling to care for multiple children while holding down a job.
Research suggests that sensitive, responsive parenting can protect children from chronic disease and toxic stress.
© 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved A mother’s voice has special power. It can provide comfort — and improve outcomes — for babies hospitalized in the NICU. It can shape the way infants process language in the brain. And it can help children cope with pain and stress. What happens when a baby … Continue reading
© 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved As disciplinary tactics go, spanking is ineffective, and it may be harmful, too. A new study suggests that spanking alters the brain, making kids more reactive to potential threats, and more at risk for developing behavior problems. Over the years, I’ve followed the research on spanking, and … Continue reading
© 2016 – 2020 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Parenting stress puts a strain on the whole family — sapping patience, damaging relationships, eroding well-being. What can we do about it? Here are some suggestions inspired by the latest research. 1. Need social support? Reach out — even if it’s just a phone call … Continue reading
Are you coping with infant crying, fussing, or colic? Babies everywhere cry, especially during the first 3 months after birth. Even chimpanzees follow this pattern (Bard 2004). Like it or not, crying is a universal mode of communication for our species. But that doesn’t mean we’re helpless to improve the situation. Parents can have an important … Continue reading
Supportive student-teacher relationships improve motivation, inspire achievement, and protect children from toxic stress. But many kids don’t get the chance to form such bonds.
Green spaces defuse stress, and may help prevent depression and childhood psychiatric disorders. But not every green space is equal.
© 2019 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Parents can help children recover from stress by offering physical affection and words of support. But is there more? Maybe secure attachment relationships also help kids develop the ability to self-soothe. What happens when you soothe your baby’s tears? When you make eye contact, engage your baby … Continue reading
© 2010-2019 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved What do psychologists mean by the ” sexualization of girls? “ According to the American Psychological Association, sexualization occurs when “individuals are regarded as sex objects and evaluated in terms of their physical characteristics and sexiness.” That isn’t something that children should ever have to contend with. … Continue reading