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Insomnia might sound like an adult problem, but many kids experience insomnia symptoms, and new research suggests that most symptomatic children will continue to have trouble in their teen years or beyond. How do experts define insomnia? Who is at higher risk for developing symptoms? And what can we do to prevent lasting sleep problems? Here’s an overview of the evidence.
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.
How is animal tracking related to cognitive development? Before the rise of urban life, kids spent a lot of time learning read the visual clues left behind by other animals. Nowadays, many kids never get to learn the art of tracking. But maybe they should. Tracking gets kids outdoors and interested in wildlife. It may also provide kids with opportunities to practice scientific reasoning, spatial skills, and symbolic thought.
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.
Mothers and their young children are at elevated risk for iron deficiency. Can we solve the problem by eating lots of iron-rich foods? Yes, but success also depends on the bioavailability of dietary iron. Learn what influences iron absorption, and how you can improve your iron status by making smarter dietary choices.
Sleep loss is linked with weight gain, but why? Experiments suggest that sleep restriction prompts kids to seek out sugary snacks and drinks.
How to distract a 2-year-old? The best approach doesn’t just steer kids away from bad moods. It also teaches a crucial self-regulation skill.
When kids skimp on sleep, there’s more at stake than feeling a bit grumpy and drowsy. Learn about the signs of sleep deprivation.
These preschool math games have helped young children develop an intuitive understanding of numbers. Here’s how to make them, and how to play.
Research suggests that sensitive, responsive parenting can protect children from chronic disease and toxic stress.
What scientific studies reveal about the timing of toilet training. Safe, early training may lower the risk of bladder and bowel dysfunction.