Child Development

Understanding Child Development

The speedy physical and psychological changes that children undergo from birth through adolescence often leave parents wondering how best to care for them at each stage. PT's experts weigh in on topics such how to talk so kids will listen, and when to back off and allow them to fail.

Less Than Perfect Is Just Fine

By Susan Hooper on April 28, 2016 Detours and Tangents

In any creative endeavor, how does one strive for perfection while not being paralyzed or defeated by the knowledge that perfection is unattainable?

The Legacy of Unfinished Business

By Guest Bloggers on April 28, 2016 The Guest Room

Guest post by Mark Wolynn

Hands-Off Parenting For Resilient, Resourceful Children

By Carrie Barron M.D. on April 28, 2016 The Creativity Cure

It can be hard to resist helicopter parenting, but research suggests that less support is the best support. Here is an exploration of the issue and a few suggestions.

By Arpit Gupta (Genius(check the cup holder)) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

HB2 as Cultural Narrative

By Laura Martocci Ph.D. on April 28, 2016 You Can’t Sit With Us

What must it be like to have 'dread'—and perhaps even 'shame' and 'inadequacy'—coded into brain circuitry linked to the urge to use a bathroom?

How Teen Dating Violence Differs Between Boys and Girls

By Michele Ybarra MPH, Ph.D. on April 28, 2016 Connected

An infographic, based on a recently published paper, examines how types of teen dating violence differs between boys and girls.

Why Are Some Neighborhoods Becoming Extremely Homogenized?

By Christopher Bergland on April 28, 2016 The Athlete's Way

American families are facing a new housing crisis that could dramatically impact school-aged children.

Is Your Kid's Tattling Making You Crazy?

By Signe Whitson L.S.W. on April 27, 2016 Passive Aggressive Diaries

Somewhere in between the extremes of gratuitous tattling and shame-based cover ups, we must help kids find a tenable middle ground for reaching out to trustworthy adults.

Are 'Deadpool' & 'Daredevil' Dangers to Kids?

By Skip Dine Young Ph.D. on April 27, 2016 Movies and the Mind

'Daredevil' and 'Deadpool' have been touted as superhero stories for grown-ups. These entries into the Marvel Cinematic Universe may be good, but they aren't good for kids.

Recognizing A Good Psychological Evaluation

By Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on April 27, 2016 This Is America

Emphasizing that psychological evaluations are not "the last word," Dr. Betsy Grigoriu demonstrates that if they are well done, they can provide guidance about treatment options.

This Is Your Brain On Poverty

By Darby Saxbe Ph.D. on April 26, 2016 Home Base

How does poverty affect the development of the adolescent brain?

The Benefits and Dangers of Highly Empathic Parenting

By Emma M. Seppälä Ph.D. on April 26, 2016 Feeling It

Children of Empathic Parents Thrive. Parents Don't. Here's What You Can Do.

Here's How Rewarding Good Behavior Leads to Bad Behavior

By Garth Sundem on April 26, 2016 Brain Trust

Positive reinforcement is a cornerstone of parenting. Unfortunately, a new study shows it can have the opposite effect.

Michael Gilbert on It's About Childhood and Family, Inc.

By Eric R. Maisel Ph.D. on April 25, 2016 Rethinking Mental Health

The future of mental health interview series continues with Michael Gilbert on It's About Childhood and Family, Inc.

5 Reasons Your Child’s School Needs Spelling Books—Part 2

By J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on April 25, 2016 Raising Readers, Writers, and Spellers

The brain reads by retrieving spellings of words. Spelling books help kids meet today's rigorous standards.

The Upside of Adolescence

By Kenneth Ginsburg M.D., M.S.Ed on April 24, 2016 Raising Resilient Children and Teens

Teens are searching for clues on how they should behave to be "normal," and the worst thing we can do is poison their environment with low expectations.

3 Types of Kids Who Bully Their Parents

By Sean Grover L.C.S.W. on April 24, 2016 When Kids Call the Shots

Beneath the tough exterior of every bully is a scared child, constantly wrestling with insecurities and worries.

5 Reasons Your Child’s School Needs Spelling Books—Part 1

By J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on April 23, 2016 Raising Readers, Writers, and Spellers

Parents and researchers agree that children need explicit spelling instruction in elementary school but school administrators may be ignoring the facts and harming students.

Royalty Free Dreamtime Image 35852729 An A-Plus Student Holding Up A Sign

Why 9 out of 10 Parents Think Their Kids Are at Grade Level

By Denise Cummins Ph.D. on April 22, 2016 Good Thinking

Kamenetz seems to believe "grade level" means "average". A grade level standard is a minimum, not an average.

What We Know About Kids and Screen Time

By The Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research on April 22, 2016 Evidence-Based Living

As the American Academy of Pediatrics updates its recommendations on kids and screen time, here's what you should know.

UnitedNotions Film, Used with permission

When Adolescents Claim the Right to Refuse Treatment

By Robert T Muller Ph.D. on April 21, 2016 Talking About Trauma

Some argue that minors do not understand the severity of their condition.

How to Begin Healing Your Body Shame

By Mary E. Pritchard Ph.D. on April 20, 2016 Diet is a 4-Letter Word

When did your body shame start?

Does Sugar Cause Mental Illness?

By Ben Michaelis Ph.D. on April 19, 2016 The Creative Imperative

Empirical evidence that you are what you eat.

How the End of Adolescence (18 - 23) Can Feel Overwhelming

By Carl E Pickhardt Ph.D. on April 18, 2016 Surviving (Your Child's) Adolescence

The transition from the last stage of adolescence, Trial Independence, into young adulthood is fraught with challenges. Parents who understand why and what to do can be of help.

How to Know if You Are Dealing With a Sociopath

By Scott A. Bonn Ph.D. on April 18, 2016 Wicked Deeds

The good news about sociopaths is that due to their volatile personalities, you can typically see them coming

What Screen Time Really Does to Kids' Brains

By Liraz Margalit Ph.D. on April 17, 2016 Behind Online Behavior

A number of troubling studies connect delayed cognitive development in kids with extended exposure to electronic media

6 Steps for Getting Your Child to Sleep Alone

By Meri Wallace LCSW on April 16, 2016 How to Raise a Happy, Cooperative Child

This is a hard habit to break, but hopefully patience, firmness and support should do the trick.

Why Have We Pathologized Mother-Infant Bonding?

By Amy Tuteur M.D. on April 15, 2016 Push Back

Why are attachment parents so worried about attachment?

What Did You Learn Before You Were Eight?

By Laura Markham Ph.D. on April 14, 2016 Peaceful Parents, Happy Kids

If you're like most of us, you learned some things before you were eight that no child should learn and carry for the rest of his or her life as motivating beliefs.

The Kids Are Alright

By Eileen Garvin on April 14, 2016 Sister on the Edge of Autism

I thought Margaret was angry, but I know now that she was anxious and afraid. And as an adult, I regret that I didn’t see the difference. It might have helped us both.

Put the “Student” First in Student-Athlete Concussion Care

By Harry Kerasidis M.D. on April 14, 2016 Brain Trauma

Concussions and the classroom: Is it OK to send an injured student-athlete back to school? We need to re-orient our priority for a safe, effective "return-to-learn."

Find

Professionals

Search form

Understanding Child Development

Essential Parenting Info for Every Stage

See also

Recent Posts on Child Development

Child Development

US Cities:

Canadian Cities:

Diagnosis Dictionary

Tests

Child Development Blogs

See Also