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Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin© 2009 – 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved These preschool and kindergarten science activities build on what most young children are already interested in — animals! And in addition to teaching lessons about biology, they also offer kids opportunities to practice analytical, spatial, and symbolic reasoning skills. Where to … Continue reading
It’s not unusual for kids to tell lies, but their readiness to deceive depends on how adults treat them. What can we do to foster honesty?
Most kids begin telling lies between the ages of 2 and 4, as they develop better “mind-reading” skills and self-control. But understanding the morality of lying? That comes later.
In the last trimester, fetuses can hear music in the womb. And if they hear the same tune many times, they may learn to recognize it.
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin© 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 … Continue reading
Yes, newborns spend most of their time sleeping and eating. But babies are more than mere survival machines. At birth, they are primed and ready for social input, and our loving care has profound effects on their development.
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin© 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Everybody says it. Politicians, corporations, lobbyists, investors, major media outlets, policymakers. They say they care about children. They say we must make sure that our children are thriving. They say we must provide them with the opportunities they need become happy, productive, contributing … Continue reading
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin© 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Treating postpartum depression is crucial for the well-being of mothers, but studies suggest that it benefits babies, too — improving an infant’s ability to regulate emotions. Imagine you’re a baby in a researcher’s laboratory. You are sitting on your mother’s lap, facing forward, … Continue reading
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin© 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Some teens study lots of math. Others avoid it. Does it make a difference? Yes, and not only to career prospects. New research suggests it might also affect brain chemistry, and the way that students learn. How many years of math should you … Continue reading
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin© 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 … Continue reading
Families are better off when teenagers communicate openly with their parents. But how do we inspire better communication? An experimental study shows the way: We need to provide kids with crucial signals of active, supportive listening. Not only does it make kids feel better. It also encourages them to confide in us.
Studies of video games and attention reveal mixed effects. Some games can boost visual attention, and they may help kids with dyslexia. But there’s a downside.