The Parenting Science Blog

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.

Oct 31, Infant crying in anthropological perspective: How parents matter

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:28:38 GMT

Can you prevent infant crying by changing your approach to baby care? Maybe...and maybe not. Read about baby soothing techniques, smoke and alcohol, hunter-gatherers, and more.

Oct 29, The Parenting Science Book Shop

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:46:55 GMT

Recommended readings, hand-picked by Gwen Dewar and sold by Amazon.com. Your purchases will help support the Parenting Science website.

Oct 25, Excessive infant crying & irritability: Is it caused by anxious, moody parents?

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 03:40:43 GMT

Sure, emotional distress is contagious. But the evidence does NOT justify the assumption that excessive infant crying is caused by unhappy parents. In many cases, it's the other way around.

Oct 18, Colicky babies and brain chemistry

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 03:17:40 GMT

Colicky babies respond differently to stimulation. Do they cry more because of differences in brain chemistry?

Oct 18, The causes of colic: An evidence-based review for parents

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:47:04 GMT

Do colicky babies suffer from disease? Or distinctive brain chemistry? Here is an evidence-based review of the physiological causes of colic.

Oct 15, Infantile colic: A list of scientific studies about the causes of colic

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:12:42 GMT

A bibliography of published studies about infantile colic.

Oct 15, What is colic? A critical look at the scientific evidence

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:37:35 GMT

What is colic? Colicky babies cry excessively and inconsolably--perhaps because their brain chemistry is different. Learn what's normal, what's not, and why your baby might need medical attention.

Oct 1, Teen brains lack empathy? Not! How the media got it wrong

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:53:44 GMT

Why should you be skeptical of the popular media? Consider the unfounded claim that "teen brains lack empathy." A cautionary tale.

Sep 23, Science for kids: How to raise a science-minded child

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:25:25 GMT

The Parenting Science guide to science for kids: Activities, resources, and teaching methods that promote scientific achievement and a love for the natural world.

Sep 21, Should parents be friends with their kids?

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:02:45 GMT

Should parents be friends with their kids? Surely that depends on your definition of friendship.

Sep 17, Tangrams for kids: An overlooked teaching tool?

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:48:58 GMT

Tangrams for kids may foster critical thinking and help kids develop an intuitive sense of geometry. But how can we help them get started?

Sep 5, The beneficial effects of video games

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 01:46:03 GMT

Kids who play video games are good at something. What are the beneficial effects of video games -- and do they matter?

Sep 3, How science reporting works

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:27:36 GMT

Don't look if you are offended by references to the "f-word." Everybody else, check out this cartoon from Zach Weiner's Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal.

Aug 28, What can the capuchin monkey teach us about kids?

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:54:30 GMT

Big brains, daycare, busy hands, and social learning? What the capuchin monkey can teach us about the evolution of tool use, culture, and tolerance towards kids.

Aug 21, The benefits of toy blocks

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:40:27 GMT

Kids who play with toy blocks may reap a host of cognitive benefits. Learn more about the science of block play.

Aug 13, How to help kids make friends: Research-based tips

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:21:39 GMT

Check out these research-based tips to help kids make friends.

Aug 13, Friendship in children: Why parenting matters

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:13:21 GMT

Why are some kids good at making friends? Check out the evolution and development of friendship in children.

Aug 5, Paleontology and dinosaurs for kids: Educational resources and teaching tips

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:02:27 GMT

The Parenting Science teaching guide to paleontology and dinosaurs for kids.

Aug 5, Paleontology for kids: Reviews of the best books, toys, and DVDs

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:38:46 GMT

Parenting Science reviews of the best books, toys, and DVDs about paleontology for kids.

Jul 27, Evidence based parenting: Links for the science-minded

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:33:19 GMT

It's not easy to find parenting information that meets minimum standards of scientific rigor. Here are some sites that, like Parenting Science, provide analysis of the published data.

Jul 23, The effects of television on children learning to talk

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:03:14 GMT

Yes, we should be concerned about the effects of television on children. But when it comes to learning speech, it's conversation--not TV--that's the crucial factor.

Jul 16, How daycare centers change the stress response system (and what we can do)

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:35:47 GMT

Kids who spend more time in daycare centers are more likely to have abnormal stress hormone profiles, and the effect might last into the teen years.

Jul 7, Prebiotics: How to feed your familys friendly gut flora

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:53:08 GMT

Prebiotics are found naturally in breast milk. They feed the "good bacteria" inhabiting your colon. Can they improve digestive health?

Jun 29, Food and nutrition for kids: An evidence-based guide

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:44:35 GMT

What does evolution have to do with nutrition for kids? The parenting science guide to picky eaters, carbohydrates, nutrients, probiotics, and more.

Jun 23, Probiotics for kids with diarrhea and other ailments: Scientific evidence

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:43:22 GMT

Probiotics for kids? Certain strains of probiotics may prevent diarrhea. But it's not clear that daily doses are helpful--and for some kids, probiotics might even do harm.

Jun 12, Iron rich foods: A guide for the science-minded parent

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:43:52 GMT

Need to boost your child's iron levels? Iron rich foods can help, but there's a catch. Many foods contain chemical barriers to iron absorption.

Jun 12, Boosting iron absorption: A guide to for the science-minded

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:14:50 GMT

Iron absorption depends on several factors, including your intake of calcium, tea, and vitamin C. Check out these research-based tips for improving the bioavailability of iron.