A new study found that young people generally favor one type of parental control over another but become indifferent when parents are overly controlling. The researchers argue that adolescents may respond poorly to highly restrictive behavioral control, similar to psychological control.
A cross-cultural study found that children from communities with more modern resources performed better in certain areas of cognitive functioning. The researchers argue that these differences reflect the cognitive skills valued and promoted in each community rather than a direct correlation to intelligence.
Researchers identified coping strategies for children to manage their fears, with preschoolers benefiting from positive thinking and older children focusing on reality. The study's findings can help parents better support their children in dealing with fears, particularly those of imaginary creatures.
Research suggests that young people's feelings of ethnic pride rise during the 7th-8th grade years, improving their mental health regardless of self-esteem levels. A sense of pride in one's ethnic group serves as a buffer against certain mental health problems, especially for boys.
A new study explores why preschoolers ask so many 'why' questions, concluding that they're motivated by a desire for explanation. Children are more satisfied when receiving explanatory answers, which leads to further conversation and engagement.
A study found that children under 3 cannot learn verbs from watching TV alone, but can do so when an adult is present to support their learning. Adults play a crucial role in helping young children understand and apply verb concepts.
A study of 50 infants and toddlers found that background TV decreased both the amount and depth of parent-child interactions. Parents spent less time talking to their children and were less attentive and responsive.
A new study found that supplementing babies' formula with DHA boosts their cognitive development. The research, published in Child Development, showed that babies who received formula supplemented with high concentrations of DHA performed better on a problem-solving test and displayed more intentional behaviors.
A new study found that high-quality early child care improves reading and math scores, particularly for low-income children. The research used data from over 1,300 children and suggests a link between early childhood care quality and later achievement in middle childhood.
A cross-cultural study finds that teacher support is essential to students' self-esteem in both China and the US. Students who feel supported by their teachers tend to have higher self-esteem, while those who don't face increased depression risk.
A longitudinal study of low-income parents and their 1-year-old children found that spanking leads to more aggressive behaviors and less sophisticated cognitive development. Verbal punishment, however, is not associated with such negative effects when accompanied by emotional support from mothers.
Two new studies conclude that parents who use physical discipline through childhood are more likely to have children with behavior problems in adolescence. Parents who stop using physical discipline when their children are young are less likely to have these behavior problems.
A new study suggests that genetic factors, rather than environmental theories, contribute to the association between fathers' absence and early sex. The researchers found that traits such as impulsivity, substance use, and argumentativeness can increase the likelihood of earlier sexual behavior in children.
Researchers found fetal short-term memory at 30 weeks through habituation tests, where fetuses adapt to stimuli. The study also showed that 34- and 36-week-old fetuses can store information and retrieve it weeks later, providing insights into normal fetal development.
A new study using brain-mapping techniques confirms young adolescents' sensitivity to social perception. Tweens tend to view themselves in ways influenced by what they believe others think about their abilities and attributes.
Researchers found that preschoolers' abilities to think about their social world develop with the maturation of two key brain areas. This study provides insights into the typical social brain development and clues for understanding impaired social reasoning in autism.
Researchers found social cognition brain activity in children as young as 6 years old, similar to adults. By age 11, the 'right tempero-parietal junction' took on a more specialized role in thinking about others' thoughts.
A longitudinal study found that American teens are more academically disengaged than Chinese peers, with decreased motivation and mastery value over time. The study suggests a cultural difference in prioritizing learning for future success.
A new study found that high-quality foster care can improve brain activity in children raised in institutions. Institutionalized children showed reduced brain activity when processing faces, but those in foster care demonstrated normalized brain activity.
A study found that girls' brain regions associated with social rewards and motivation responded differently when thinking about being judged by peers, especially those with whom they wanted to interact. This difference was not evident in younger boys.
A new longitudinal study found that preschoolers' language skills develop faster when they are with classmates who have better language abilities. The study also suggests that teachers can promote children's language development by effectively managing classroom behavior.
A large longitudinal study found that early child care and insensitive parenting may have independent and lasting effects on children's development. Children who experienced high levels of stress during early childhood had lower cortisol levels at age 15.
A new study found that children with depression, anxiety or aggression in first grade are at risk of being chronically victimized by their classmates by third grade. Children who displayed these symptoms had a higher likelihood of being bullied and were more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior.
A new longitudinal study reveals that fathers respond to their children's risky sexual behavior by increasing supervision and monitoring. Teens who engage in risky sexual activity are more likely to have involved fathers, who show a greater interest in their children's lives.
A new study demonstrates that a family-based prevention program can protect youth from engaging in risky behaviors, even if they have a genetic risk factor. The program, called 'Strong African American Families', taught parents and children skills to promote positive goals, emotional support, and racial pride.
Children exposed to domestic violence are almost four times more likely to develop emotional problems, but over half adapt well due to easy-going natures and their mothers' mental health. Easy-going children and mothers with good mental health can cope better with the stresses of exposure.
A new study reveals that most young people consider civic activity obligatory, but their judgments vary by factors like gender and involvement levels. Teen boys prioritize politics over community service, while girls emphasize community service as more important.
A new study found that sex-typed characteristics, such as kindness and independence, develop differently in girls and boys, with girls exhibiting higher levels of expressive traits and interest in 'feminine' activities, while boys show higher levels of instrumental traits and interest in 'masculine' activities.
A study found that young children think about gender in a way similar to how they think about species differences. They tend to believe that certain behaviors are innate and not influenced by environment. As children grow older, they begin to understand the role of environment in shaping gender-related behaviors.
A three-year study of over 200 African American teens aged 14-18 found that older teens who experienced more racial bias felt less positive about being Black. The study suggests bolstering youth's feelings about their racial group membership, especially positive views on being African American.
A new study confirms that young teenagers think less about the future than adults, but it's not because they're impulsive. Research suggests that immaturity in brain systems governing sensation seeking, rather than self-control, contributes to this phenomenon.
A new study by Wake Forest University researchers found that teen programs most effectively promote responsibility when they assign difficult tasks, provide ownership, and hold teens accountable for their work. The study surveyed over 100 high schoolers participating in various summer and after-school programs.
A new study found that children comprehend the link between feelings and performance, but only for negative emotions. Children of all ages understood how emotional states impact school performance, while younger children struggled to grasp the connection between positive emotions and improved performance.
A new study published in Child Development finds that preschoolers spend most of their day inactive, with 89% of physical activity characterized as sedentary. When balls and open spaces are made available, children become more likely to be active.
A study by researchers at the University of Rochester and others found that teenagers feel relatively obligated to help their parents, even when requests clash with personal desires. Parents tend to think it's more acceptable for teens to say no in such situations, suggesting a balance between family needs and individual preferences.
Children with social and academic problems in elementary school are more likely to engage in serious violent behavior later, due to parents withdrawing supervision and friends with deviant behavior. Successful early intervention can redirect paths of antisocial development to prevent violent behavior.
A longitudinal study found that characteristics in four social environments—families, peers, schools, and neighborhoods—contribute to adolescent alcohol misuse. The study highlights the importance of examining connections between all social environments and suggests a more inclusive view of adolescent social worlds.
A new study found that children distressed by family fighting have higher cortisol levels, a stress hormone. This increase in cortisol may explain why children experiencing high levels of distress during parental conflicts are more likely to develop psychological problems.
A new study found that children's stress hormone cortisol levels increase from morning to afternoon in full-day child care, depending on the quality of their relationship with caregivers. Children with more clingy or conflicted relationships with teachers showed greater rises in cortisol.
A longitudinal study found that frequent moves during 2nd to 5th grade can lead to declines in academic performance and classroom participation. However, having a supportive teacher who encourages peer acceptance can help children make a smooth transition. The study suggests that teachers play a critical role in mitigating the negative...
A research-based program, REDI, was found to improve both academic and social-emotional areas in children participating in Head Start. The study, published in Child Development, showed that REDI's dual-focus approach effectively promoted gains in vocabulary, pre-reading skills, emotional understanding, and social competence.
Research shows that early parenting plays a key role in shaping infants' physiological responses to stress. At 6 months old, parenting affects the impact of genes on vagal tone, a cardiac response that helps regulate heart rate during challenging situations.
A new analysis of almost 150 studies found that both boys and girls engage in social aggression, including gossiping, spreading rumors, and excluding others. This challenges the popular notion that girls are more likely to be indirectly aggressive than boys.
A brief, tailored intervention program improved parenting and reduced problem behavior in toddlers of low-income families. The Family Check-Up program encouraged positive parenting practices and was effective in preventing adjustment problems.
A new study found that children who witness family violence have more symptoms of depression and anxiety, while those subjected to harsh physical discipline are more aggressive. Researchers call for targeted interventions to address the ongoing emotional and behavioral problems in these vulnerable youth.
A new study found that children concerned about their parents' arguing are more likely to have psychological problems in school due to difficulty paying attention. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Rochester and others, suggests that addressing attention difficulties may promote children's mental health.
A new study published in Child Development examines how family resources and parenting quality jointly impact children's cognitive development. The research found that families with greater economic resources and higher-quality parenting are associated with better cognitive performance in young children.
A new study by researchers at the University of Utah found that Colombian children living in war zones exhibited a complex moral understanding, with most rejecting theft and harm but accepting it as a means to an end. The study highlights potential vulnerabilities in children's moral lives during times of conflict.
New research reveals aggressive preschoolers tend to have less consistent relationships with peers and play with fewer classmates over time. Non-aggressive children, on the other hand, do better at interactions with many peers as they practice social skills and learn to control their behavior.
A new study found that leaving background TV on can disrupt young children's play behavior, reducing their attention span and toy play time. The research suggests that parents should limit their young children's exposure to adult-oriented television in the home.