Brains of depressed kids don’t react strongly to rewards
Brain waves show that clinically depressed children don’t respond to rewards the same way as other children do. Previous research from the same group of scientists found that a reduced ability to experience joy is a key sign of clinical depression in young children. The findings in the new study...
Preschool math should go beyond numbers
New research finds that children’s math knowledge in preschool is related to their later achievement—and that early curricula could use some edits. “Counting, calculating, and understanding written numbers already get a lot of attention from teachers and parents, for good reasons,” says Bethany Rittle-Johnson, professor of psychology and human development...
To predict baby’s first words, look at what they see
A baby’s most likely first words are based upon their visual experience, report researchers. Drawing on theories of statistical learning, researchers found that the number of times an object enters an infant’s field of vision “tips the scales” in favor of associating certain words with certain objects. “We think that...
Can social skills training help kids react to bullying?
Kids and teens with disabilities are victimized by bullying at a much higher rate over time than kids without disabilities, a new study finds. Researchers say it’s possible children with disabilities aren’t developing the social skills they need to combat bullying as they grow up. “This study points out the necessity for special education programs...
Why schools are an ideal place to teach self-control
Self-regulation skills help children manage their thoughts and feelings, control impulses, and solve problems. Now, a new federal report recommends that schools include them in the daily curriculum. “Self-regulation affects well-being across the lifespan, from mental health and emotional well-being to academic achievement, physical health, and socioeconomic success,” says Desiree...
Parenting classes benefit all, especially lower-income families
Parenting education can improve the skills of every mom and dad and the behavior of all children, and it particularly benefits families from low-income or otherwise underserved populations, a new study from Oregon State University suggests. Researchers examined a sample of more than 2,300 mothers and fathers who participated in...
New moms moving toward the bottle
New moms are increasingly using expressed breast milk (either pumped or expressed by hand) instead of directly breastfeeding their babies, according to a UBC study. The study also found that moms who use expressed breast milk typically transition their babies to infant formula feeding sooner than their breastfeeding peers, a...
How your parenting tactics influence your teen’s problem behaviors
Sound familiar? Perhaps you’re a parent with a teenager at home who partakes in “problem behaviors.” Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, may be able to help. In a new study, published in, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Misaki Natsuaki, psychology professor at the University of California, Riverside,...
