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Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedinDo babies have prosocial impulses? Do they feel empathy? A preference for do-gooders? An inclination to be helpful? Do babies know right from wrong? Let’s be clear: We shouldn’t hold babies responsible for moral transgressions. They can’t anticipate all the consequences of the things they do. If your baby hits you … Continue reading
Green spaces defuse stress, and may help prevent depression and childhood psychiatric disorders. But not every green space is equal.
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin© 2019 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Some studies have linked the permissive parenting style with optimal child outcomes. But the results depend on how researchers define “permissive.” Kids don’t benefit when parents ignore anti-social behavior. But being supportive of autonomy? That’s different. Studies suggest that kids thrive when parents are less bossy … Continue reading
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin© 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 … Continue reading
How does television affect sleep? In adults, it can push back bedtimes and disrupt sleep patterns. In young children, even more can go wrong. Here’s what to look out for.
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin© 2019 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Vitamin A supplements are helpful for children who have a vitamin A deficiency. But most healthy, well-nourished kids don’t need supplements. And some kids may be getting too much vitamin A — consuming excessive levels of preformed vitamin A in liver, dairy products, … Continue reading
Correcting behavior? Studies suggest the best approach is positive and constructive. When kids make mistakes, we should ask them to think about solutions.
Spanking children doesn’t help them learn self-control or social skills, and studies consistently show that spanking increases a child’s risk of developing behavior problems. But how can we be sure that spanking is harmful, and what can parents do instead when their children misbehave?
Is Chinese parenting superior? Amy Chua argues that Chinese kids achieve more because traditional Chinese moms are more strict and demanding. Here’s what the research suggests.
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin© 2019 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Breastfeeding on demand (also known as “responsive feeding,” “feeding on cue,” and “baby-led” feeding) is the practice of responding flexibly to your baby’s hunger cues. You initiate feedings when the baby requests them, and continue each feeding session until the baby is satisfied. … Continue reading
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin© 2008 – 2019 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved In his review of the research, Stephen Norris notes that critical thinking in children is uncommon: “Most students do not score well on tests that measure ability to recognize assumptions, evaluate arguments, and appraise inferences” (Norris 1985). Why is critical thinking … Continue reading
What’s wrong with classroom behavior charts? Shaming is stressful, and it can make kids behave worse, not better.