developmentalpsychology
Recent research published in Computers in Human Behavior explores how adolescent social media usage is related to social skills and time spent with friends offline. The study finds that increased social media activity does not adversely affect social skills and is associated with more offline interactions with friends. This challenges the common concern that digital platforms might hinder adolescents’ social development. “Socializing with peers outside of the family is crucial to adolescents’ (socioemotional) development and well-being,” said study author Silje Steinsbekk, a professor of clini...
PsyPost (UK)
Parents and caregivers of school-aged children are all too familiar with the after-school conversation that sounds a little something like: “How was school?” “Fine.” “What did you learn?” “Nothing.” Conversations between children of all ages and attentive, caring adults offer strong benefits in all domains of children’s well-being. When these conversations are purposeful and strategic, they can even strengthen skills that contribute to stronger literacy and language development. More than information exchangeWhen we engage in quality conversations with children, we are doing more than finding ...
PsyPost (UK)
Recent research published in the JAMA Network Open reveals a connection between exposure to green spaces and the mental health of young children. Children who lived in areas rich in natural environments, such as forests and parks, from birth showed fewer emotional issues between the ages of 2 and 5. This finding adds a vital piece to the puzzle of childhood development, suggesting that natural surroundings may play a crucial role in fostering mental well-being in early life. Previous studies have consistently highlighted the importance of nature for mental health across various age groups. How...
PsyPost (UK)
A recent study published in the journal Developmental Science has explored how parents’ views on knowledge and learning (epistemological beliefs) influence their children’s ability to think scientifically from kindergarten through elementary school. The findings suggest that these parental beliefs significantly impact children’s early scientific reasoning abilities, irrespective of the parents’ level of education or the children’s own cognitive abilities. Scientific reasoning is crucial for effective problem-solving and decision-making in our increasingly complex world. Previous studies have s...
PsyPost (UK)
New research reveals that even infants as young as four months old have an innate ability to comprehend how their bodies interact with the world around them. This understanding is evident as they process different sensory information based on the movement of objects they see coming towards them. The study, published in Scientific Reports, highlights early development stages of self-awareness. For decades, scientists have been fascinated by how humans perceive and interact with the space immediately around them—what is known to researchers as “peripersonal space.” This concept explores how we i...
PsyPost (UK)
Recent scientific studies reveal that even low levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy might subtly alter fetal craniofacial development and specific brain structures, although these changes do not appear to significantly impact broader socio-cognitive development in early childhood. These findings offer a deeper understanding of the potential risks associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) encompasses a range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects include physical, behavioral, and lea...
PsyPost (UK)
Spanking, a form of physical punishment aimed at correcting child behavior, has long been a topic of debate in parenting and developmental psychology. A recent study published in the Psychology of Violence sheds new light on this controversial practice, suggesting that spanking is associated with detrimental effects on a child’s cognitive, social-emotional, and motor development. The study, conducted across four countries — Bhutan, Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Rwanda — utilizes longitudinal data to provide a more robust analysis than previous studies. Spanking remains a widely practiced form of dis...
PsyPost (UK)
Though it may seem like a paradox, children do not laugh for joy. Scientific studies, including my own, show that there is something much deeper than joy or mirth in a child’s laughter. Adults’ laughter is equally complex. In a previous study on the meaning of laughter in adults, I concluded that it is an evolutionary response to something confusing or unexpected. It is a powerful “all clear” signal to ourselves and others that a potential threat is, in fact, harmless. Building on this research, my most recent study focuses on laughter in children and babies. I find that it is closely connecte...
PsyPost (UK)
In the digital age, the shift from traditional print media to screens for reading is nearly ubiquitous, touching even the daily routines of young children. Recent research published in PLOS One provides insight into how this shift affects the brain’s processing of written content. The study finds that reading from printed paper triggers greater activity in parts of the brain associated with attention and cognitive engagement compared to reading from screens, suggesting that print may be more conducive to focused attention in children. Previous research has shown that reading from screens can b...
PsyPost (UK)
A recent study published in the journal Developmental Science reveals that babies whose mothers engage more sensitively with them during play tend to have heightened brain activity when they encounter happy faces. This response is particularly notable in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The findings shed new light on the link between early caregiving experiences and later emotional and social competencies. Research consistently shows that early experiences with caregivers are fundamental to brain development and future emotional health. While many studies have focused on the adverse effects...
PsyPost (UK)
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