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Babies possess amazing learning abilities. But to master language, they need our help. Studies suggest we can support language development by engaging babies in conversation, and by providing them with a variety of special cues and communicative experiences.
The science of infant toilet training. Potty training techniques, baby bladders, and the potential benefits of early toilet training.
Tangram puzzles may boost spatial skills and enhance math skills. How to start? See these evidence-based tips about tangrams for kids.
Research suggests that babies can tell when parents are fighting, and chronic conflict may affect the brain. What can we do about it?
Permissive parenting might seem like the “no discipline” approach. A threat to civilization? Probably not, but outcomes depends on we define this parenting style.
School uniforms may have benefits, but they don’t seem to boost morale or achievement. And for some kids, they may actually cause problems.
If authoritarian parents are demanding, shouldn’t their children be better-behaved and more successful in the classroom? On the contrary, research links authoritarian parenting with kids who are less resourceful, less confident, and less socially-adept. Kids may also be at higher risk for behavior problems.
Depending on how you define it, the Mozart effect either doesn’t exist, or is a weak phenomenon with an extremely misleading name. But studies do hint that music can make us feel more alert and focused, giving us a brief cognitive boost. It may also deliver health perks.
Researchers use the Strange Situation procedure to measure attachment in young children. How does it work, and how can we raise secure kids?
Body odor is one of the most powerful cues that babies use to identify parents, and these personal scents can soothe, and help babies learn.
Babies make lots of communicative noises, but coos, gurgles, and cries aren’t true speech. When do babies say their first words? Most babies can say at least one or two words by the end of their first year, but the timing may vary considerably from individual to individual.
Want to participate in scientific research? Learn how you can help investigators answer questions related to parenting and child development.