Parenting Science is your source for cutting-edge research news and practical, science-based tips about child development and child-rearing.

Founded by a biological anthropologist (me), this website is dedicated to families who want information based on the scientific evidence.

It’s also dedicated to people who are interested in the big picture: Child-rearing from the perspectives of anthropology, brain science, developmental psychology, and evolution.

Here you will find information about

• Attachment, emotions, and social skills

• Brain chemistry and brain development

• Breastfeeding

• Child development milestones

• Sleep

• The science of toilet training, and

• How to stimulate, entertain, and teach your child

You’ll also find something pretty rare among popular parenting resources: Tips that include fully-referenced citations from scientific journals. There is a lot of advice out there about babies and kids. Unfortunately, many of the people dispensing that advice are asking you to take their claims on faith. In these pages, I cite the studies behind the claims, and let you weigh the evidence for yourself.

So welcome to this site, and please visit again. I will continue to add new features and articles over time. Know anyone who might find these pages useful? Help me spread the word!

P.S., Parenting Science was recently recognized with an Editor's Choice Award from AwesomeLibrary.com, a collection of the top 5% of sites in the field of education. Thank you, Awesome Library!

The Parenting Science Blog The Parenting Science blog offers commentaries by Gwen Dewar and keeps you up-to-date on the latest features added to ParentingScience.com. Subscribe here.

The science of attachment parenting What scientific studies reveal about attachment parenting.

Breastfeeding tips and topics for the science-minded Breastfeeding tips and articles based on the anthropological, evolutionary, and clinical evidence. Information on newborns, older babies, and the composition of your breast milk.

Baby sleep tips: A guide for the science-minded parent Baby sleep tips and articles about newborn sleep, baby sleep patterns, and baby sleep problems. Reviews baby sleep aids and sleep training programs. Anthropological and evolutionary perspectives.

Family sleep tips and topics Sleep tips and articles for the thinking parent. Based on the latest research in sleep science, pediatrics, and anthropology.

Potty training tips: A guide for the science-minded Potty training tips based on the latest scientific evidence.

The effects of praise: What scientific studies reveal What are the effects of praise? Praise can motivate...but it can be harmful, too....just as your grandmother suspected!

Preschool Social Skills How to nurture and improve preschool social skills. Why parents are more important than peers. Science-based tips on teaching social competence.

Stress: A guide for the science-minded parent Articles and tips regarding the science of stress. Covers hormones, pregnancy, postpartum distress, babies and kids, stress management tips.

Intelligence in children: Can we make our kids smarter? Can you boost your child's intelligence? A guide for the science-minded parent.

Music and intelligence What's the link between music and intelligence? Cutting-edge science reveals how music shapes the brain.

Preschool science activities Preschool science activities and scienced-based tips on how to teach science to young children.

About me About the founder and author of Parenting Science.

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Parenting Science privacy policy, copyright information and disclaimer Copyright information, privacy policy and legal disclaimer for ParentingScience.com

The entity theory of intelligence Your theory of intelligence has mind-altering---and brain-altering effects.

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