The Parenting Science Blog

Jul 26, Swimming pools, asthma, and DNA damage: A guide for the science-minded

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:44:21 GMT

What germs and health risks are lurking in swimming pools? We need to disinfect the water. But the disinfectants may pose their own dangers. Read about the risks--and how to minimize them.

Jul 14, What can capuchin monkeys teach us about kids?

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 05:07:43 GMT

Big brains, daycare, busy hands, and social learning? Perhaps the capuchin monkey can teach us about the evolution of tool use, culture, and tolerance towards kids. And there's some good news, too. Last year, when I first wrote about the capuchins of Lomas Barbudal, they were in trouble. Poachers and deforestation were threatening to derail the Lomas Barbudal Capuchin Monkey Project, one of the longest-running primate field studies in world. But the fortunes of Lomas Barbudal have changed--for the better. Researcher Susan Perry writes "I am happy to say that after many letter-writing campaigns, petitions and meetings, the Costa Rican government and various private organizations have declared their support for the research project and for the preservation of dry forest areas used by the monkeys." Next week, officials in Costa Rica will sign an agreement promising to protect the monkeys' habitat. So it seems that public pressure really can work. If you participated by writing letters or donating funds, your help has made a difference. Thanks to all, and congratulations to Susan Perry, Joe Manson, Julie Gros-Louis, and everyone else involved with the Lomas Barbudal Monkey Project!

Jul 10, Praise from the Biological ANthropology Developing Investigators Troop

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:51:21 GMT

I want to express my sincere thanks to University of Illinois professor Julienne Rutherford for her enthusiastic support for Parenting Science. Dr. Rutherford is a biological anthropologist who studies pregnancy and the development of the fetus. For those of you in pursuit of an academic career in anthropology, she is also founder of the extremely useful BANDITS community, otherwise known as the Biological ANthropology Developing Investigators Troop. Thank you, Dr. Rutherford!

Jul 6, Vitamin A supplements: Is your kid getting too much A?

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 23:13:38 GMT

Some kids need vitamin A supplements -- particularly those who are malnourished and living in poverty. But most healthy, well-nourished kids don't. And many are getting too much A.

Jun 29, Do shorter hunter-gatherer lifespans refute the argument for a Paleolithic diet? No.

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:48:50 GMT

A few readers have pointed out that hunter-gatherers didn't live long enough to die of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic, degenerative "diseases of affluence." This is a popular objection to the Paleolithic diet. But fear not. The anthropologists who study hunter-gatherers are well aware of the hardships that foragers face! S. Boyd Eaton and his colleagues aren't trying to compare the health status of a 30-year old hunter-gatherer to that of a 60-year-old American. Rather, they are looking for signs in younger people that they will likely develop chronic diseases--biomarkers like increased platelet aggregatability, clinical hypertension, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance. When you compare people in the same age groups, hunter-gatherers have much healthier-looking profiles. Eaton and colleagues are also referencing the health status of those hunter-gatherers who live to the age 60 and beyond. About 20 hunter-gatherers live that long, and while they might suffer from other problems, they aren't notably afflicted with the "diseases of affluence." I've added these clarifications to my original article. Click here to check them out.

Jun 28, Healthful diets for kids: Why some natural diets can harm children

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:51:51 GMT

Raw food, veganism, low-carb, low-fat, macrobiotic, Paleolithic...which of these diets is truly "natural?" And are any of these safe diets for kids?

Jun 28, Paleolithic nutrition for kids

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:02:31 GMT

Why hunter-gatherer diets may reduce your child's risks of obesity, diabetes, and other diseases.

Jun 22, Fighting summer learning loss

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:09:11 GMT

As kids begin their summer vacations, parents may worry about summer learning loss--the tendency for kids to forget some of the skills they've learned over the school year. What's going on? That seems pretty obvious. If you don't practice new skills, they tend to fade. This explanation is consistent with everyday experience. It also fits with evidence that summer learning loss disproportionately affects kids of lower socio-economic status--the kids who are least likely to spend the summer reading books, pursuing special science projects, or visiting museums (Alexander et al 2007). But perhaps the first step to preventing summer learning loss is having the right attitude about learning. Some people believe that intelligence is a fixed trait, and many kids seem to feel this way even if their parents don't. When kids think of their abilities as gifts--that you either have smarts or you don't--they don't try as hard. They shrink from challenges. They don't learn as well. And there is compelling experimental evidence that kids can make substantial academic improvements if they change the way their attitude about intelligence. Read more about it in this article about the "entity theory of intelligence." Reference: Alexander KL, Entwisle DR, and Olson LS. 2007. Summer learning and its implications: insights from the Beginning School Study. New Dir Youth Dev. 114:11-32.

Jun 16, The evolution of fatherhood

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:41:38 GMT

Male bats that lactate? Monkey dads that carry infants all day long? Read about the evolution of fatherhood and the factors that predict paternal care in humans.

Jun 11, Parenting and child anxiety: How do you respond to signs of anxiety?

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:28:53 GMT

Have a child between the ages of 5 and 18? Caitlin Burditt, a graduate student in clinical psychology at the University of Rhode Island, wants to know about your emotional and behavioral responses during times when your child seems anxious. If you'd like to participate, check out the link here.

Jun 4, Playing helper and hero: The effects of video games on altruistic behavior

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 23:06:51 GMT

Does playing helpful, even heroic characters make kids more prosocial? Research on the effects of video games suggests that it might.

May 29, Mercury in fish: The trouble with tuna and other seafood

Sat, 29 May 2010 05:00:02 GMT

Don't panic and don't throw out the fish. Fish makes kids smarter. But mercury in fish--even canned tuna--may pose a risk to fetuses and young children. Check out the latest research.

May 22, Digital cameras for kids: Cool tools and windows into your child's mind

Sat, 22 May 2010 17:41:30 GMT

Digital cameras for kids are cool tools for learning about science and language. They also offer us a window into the minds of our children. Check out these research-based tips and activities.

May 16, Cognitive development before kindergarten: Are kids smarter than they seem?

Sun, 16 May 2010 18:51:30 GMT

Sure, little kids seem irrational. But is this because they lack the ability to grasp key concepts? Because we ask them stupid questions? Or ...? Check out these studies of cognitive development.

May 14, Coping with deviant behavior in kids: What are the appropriate treatments?

Fri, 14 May 2010 19:06:35 GMT

Psychologist James W. Diller of Eastern Connecticut State University wants to know what you think are appropriate ways to deal with problem behavior in children. If you'd like to help, consider participating in his new study.

May 10, Neuroimaging and your child's brain: A guide for the science-minded

Mon, 10 May 2010 23:46:10 GMT

Neuroimaging promises to teach us a lot about the brain. But it's not the last word--or the most scientific approach--to learning about your child's mind.

May 2, Bedwetting in scientific perspective: Destructive myths and misconceptions

Sun, 02 May 2010 23:47:25 GMT

Forget Freud and the urban legends. Bedwetting isn't a sign of psychopathy, and kids who wet the bed don't need counseling. Parenting Science busts the myths.

Apr 30, Potty training: Are there health penalties for starting too late?

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 03:44:57 GMT

Have researchers "pinpointed" the best time to start toilet training? I'm not sure. But a recent study suggests that kids who begin potty training late--after 32 months--are more likely to develop bladder problems. The study, conducted by Joseph Barone and his colleagues, focused on school-aged kids who had been diagnosed with urge incontinence. The researchers compared these kids with their symptom-free peers, and discovered a pattern in their toilet training histories. The kids with bladder trouble were more likely to have begun potty training after 32 months of age. Does this mean that late training causes bladder problems? Not necessarily. But previous research hints that toilet training may teach kids good habits--habits that help them avoid urinary tract infections. In the absence of other information, it seems wise to get started before 32 months. For more information, check out my article, "What the scientific evidence reveals about the timing of toilet training."

Apr 26, Bed wetting in children: A guide for the science-minded parent

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 06:10:33 GMT

Bed wetting is a surprisingly common problem. Are there effective therapies?

Apr 18, Breast pumps and baby formula: Does the time of day matter?

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 23:39:54 GMT

Breast pumps can be used any time. But the composition of breast milk changes throughout the day. Understanding these changes might help us improve infant sleep.

Apr 13, Another new study about spanking

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:56:34 GMT

If you read last month's review of the research on spanking, you might remember that recent studies suggest that toddlers who get spanked are more likely to develop aggressive behavior problems over time. Yesterday a new study was published online--one that adds more weight to the argument that spanking plays a causal role in the development of aggression. The study is notable because researcher Catherine Taylor and her colleagues have attempted to rule out some important confounding factors. Perhaps toddlers who get spanked are more likely to be psychologically maltreated, physically abused, or neglected. Maybe they are more likely to witness domestic violence. Or maybe their mothers are more likely to be depressed or stressed out. These factors do indeed seem to cause behavior problems in children. But when Taylor and her colleagues controlled for them, she found that spanking was still linked with a pattern of increased aggression. For my overview of the research on spanking, click the link below.

Apr 9, Adolescence doesnt end until youre 28? Not likely!

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:52:39 GMT

Have researchers "discovered" that adolescence doesn't end until the late twenties? I think not. How the media got it wrong--again.

Apr 3, The Easter Bunny and Santa Claus: Some thoughts for the science-minded

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 21:21:17 GMT

Many kids believe in the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. Or do they? What research suggests about these irrational (but charming) beliefs.

Mar 29, Experiment in progress: Do teens benefit from a late start in the morning?

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 03:44:41 GMT

High school students beginning the day at 10am? An experimental study in the U.K. is testing the idea that teens will adjust better to school--and learn more--if they get to sleep later in the morning. The study is still in progress, but preliminary results suggest at least some benefits: Fewer students are missing school. Perhaps in another year (when researchers publish their results), we'll have a better idea if changing school schedules is good public policy.

Mar 27, Parenting styles: A guide for the science-minded

Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:07:54 GMT

What does research tell us about the four basic parenting styles? Identify your style, review the evidence, and consider the role of culture, peers, and child temperament.

Mar 20, Working memory in children: What parents need to know

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:42:28 GMT

Working memory is a better predictor of school achievement than IQ, and it can be improved by training. Does your kid have attention problems? Read this.

Mar 13, The authoritative parenting style: A guide for the science-minded parent

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:56:49 GMT

What is the authoritative parenting style, and why does it work? Check out the criteria that researchers use to rate parents, and the evidence in favor of authoritative parenting.

Mar 7, Spanking children: A guide for the science-minded

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:56:43 GMT

Spanking children is rare among hunter-gatherers. It's frowned upon in the United States, and illegal in Sweden. Should parents spank their kids?

Feb 26, Authoritarian parenting: What happens to the kids?

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:30:00 GMT

Research links authoritarian parenting with kids who are less socially-adept, less resourceful, and less confident. And they might be less successful at school, too.

Feb 20, The authoritarian parenting style: A guide for the science-minded

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:20:52 GMT

The authoritarian parenting style is linked with kids who are less resourceful, less confident, less socially skilled, and less accomplished at school. But how do we decide who is authoritarian?

Feb 14, The case of Summerhill school: Are today's permissive parents too extreme?

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:14:11 GMT

Psychologist Diane Baumrind once cited Summerhill School as the flagship of permissive education. But unlike some permissive parents, Summerhill never was about "anything goes."

Feb 6, The permissive parenting style: Does it ever benefit kids?

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:06:16 GMT

The permissive parenting style isn't the best approach to kids...unless you live in Spain...?! Why different studies reach different conclusions about child-rearing.

Jan 30, Permissive parenting: A guide for the science-minded parent

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:38:26 GMT

Permissive parenting seems to be the "no discipline" approach to discipline. A threat to civilization? Not necessarily. But it depends on how you define it.

Jan 23, The effects of video games on social behavior: Games that promote helpfulness

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:09:20 GMT

The effects of video games aren't all negative. Studies suggest that some games make kids more

Jan 15, Educational video games

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:43:00 GMT

Someday, educational video games may revolutionize the way we teach our kids. Are there any good games available now?

Jan 9, Educational games for kids

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 02:52:38 GMT

The Parenting Science guide to developmental toys and educational games for kids.

Jan 1, Video game addiction: A Parenting Science guide

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:48:07 GMT

What is video game addiction? Check out the research and this diagnostic questionnaire about pathological gaming in children.

Dec 28, Kids on the witness stand...with dogs?

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:05:43 GMT

In the Western United States, prosecutors are using friendly dogs to comfort young children who testify against adults in court. Having a dog to hold can soothe a frightened kid. But some defense attorneys complain that the presence of a "comfort dog" prejudices the case against the accused. Read attorney Jay Gaskill's argument in favor of comfort dogs for young witnesses.

Dec 26, Violent video games : A Parenting Science guide

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 20:56:11 GMT

Are violent video games bad for kids? Parenting Science takes a critical look at the research.

Dec 19, Teaching critical thinking: A Parenting Science guide

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:47:40 GMT

Can you make kids smarter by teaching them principles of logic, reasoning, and hypothesis testing? Yes! Learn how teaching critical thinking to kids can boost IQ and enhance problem-solving skills.

Dec 12, Girl toys, boy toys, and parenting: The science of toy preferences

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:13:32 GMT

Yes, there are

Dec 6, Hisss! A game review

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:17:21 GMT

This stylish variant of dominoes is a good introductory game for young children, and it has the all-important virtues of simplicity, brevity, and

Dec 4, Cooperative board games for kids

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:10:01 GMT

Do cooperative board games make kids less aggressive? Maybe not. But they are excellent opportunities to teach young children about rules, tactics, and good sportsmanship.

Dec 4, Preschool board games: Reviews for the science-minded

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:55:38 GMT

It's hard to find preschool board games that don't bore adults. Check out these recommendations for the science-minded. And make some of your own!

Nov 27, Board games for kids: Do they have educational benefits?

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:20:41 GMT

Board games can be used to teach good sportsmanship. Can they make our kids smarter, too? Maybe. Check out the evidence regarding board games for kids.

Nov 23, Online study for parents of teens (13-17)

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:47:18 GMT

Dr. Jennifer Epstein is conducting a study about the teens, computers, and electronic games. If you are a parent with a teen (13-17), she'd like you to fill out her questionnaire.

Nov 22, Mancala games for kids

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:16:04 GMT

Looking for activities to motivate your school-aged kids to count and think strategically? Try these Mancala games for kids.

Nov 14, Helping kids learn math and science: Why kids benefit when they teach others

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:40:25 GMT

Want to help your kids learn math and science? Ask them explain--or, better yet--teach what they are learning in their own words. This simple tactic can help kids master new material.

Nov 14, Ads, links, and reprints: FAQs about Parenting Science

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:09:37 GMT

Have a question about advertising? Links? Reprints? Before you write to me, please read my answers to these frequently asked questions.

Nov 7, Weighing the benefits of milk consumption: Is it good for kids?

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:43:50 GMT

Is cow's milk good or bad? Check out this evidence-based guide to the risks and benefits of milk consumption for kids.