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What you believe about cognitive performance — the theory of intelligence that you adopt — can have brain-altering effects, and enhance your ability to learn. Yet programs designed to instill the right, “growth mindset” in students haven’t always worked. Why not?
Flavors in breast milk? From the food that mothers ingest? Yes, it really happens, and babies can taste the difference. Read what studies tell us about how early exposure to flavors — in breast milk and baby formula — can influence a baby’s willingness to eat solid foods.
Emotion coaching is the practice of tuning into children’s feelings, and helping kids learn to cope with negative emotions like fear, anger, and sadness.
Air pollution doesn’t just cause respiratory problems. It can also put kids at risk for poor birth outcomes, premature cellular aging, altered brain development, and inflammatory disease.
During summer break, kids can forget what they’ve learned at school, falling months behind. But studies suggest we can prevent summer learning loss. Here’s how.
Can we nurture empathy in children? Yes. Evidence-based tips for teaching empathy, based on the latest discoveries.
In affluent, industrialized countries, we hear a lot about children’s lack of physical activity. What gets mentioned less often is the seasonal component: Contrary to what we might expect, kids tend to become less active during the summer months, and less physically fit. How big is the shortfall, and what can we do to combat it?
Some people might spank children because they believe it will teach self-control. But the evidence tells us otherwise. In fact, research indicates that spanking actually interferes with the development of inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility — skills permit kids to resist impulses and respond appropriately to rules.
How do newborns perceive the world? Can they see in color? Can they recognize you by scent? Learn more about the newborn senses.
Many babies begin to “sleep through the night” (at least 5-6 hours) by 3-6 months of age. But some take longer, and night-to-night variability is common.
The Parenting Science guide to nighttime fears in children. How to help your child overcome fears. Evolutionary and neurological insights.
An evidence-based guide to common potty training problems, including child anxieties, resistance, refusals to defecate, accidents, and more.