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How today's research relates to your family

Child Development
Flavorful Dips May Bring Out the Veggie Lover in Your Child

Debbie Glasser Ph.D. on August 30, 2013

If you're a parent of a young child, the phrase "Eat your veggies!" may be a common one in your home. While vegetables offer all kinds of benefits to kids and adults, alike, it can be a challenge to encourage picky eaters to enjoy things like broccoli, carrots and squash. However, a new study suggests that there are things parents can do to nurture young veggie lovers.

If you're a parent of a young child, the phrase "Eat your veggies!" may be a common one in your home. While vegetables offer all kinds of benefits to kids and adults, alike, it can be a challenge to encourage picky eaters to enjoy things like broccoli, carrots and squash. However, a new study suggests that there are things parents can do to nurture young veggie lovers.

Cognition
Books Without Words May Help Boost Your Child's Language

Debbie Glasser Ph.D. on June 8, 2013

Traditional vocabulary books are filled with child-friendly pictures and their descriptions underneath. "This is a dog," parents say as they point to the dog. While this is one way to help boost a young child's vocabulary, researchers suggest that picture books without words may actually promote more complex language skills because of the way parents tend to read them.

Traditional vocabulary books are filled with child-friendly pictures and their descriptions underneath. "This is a dog," parents say as they point to the dog. While this is one way to help boost a young child's vocabulary, researchers suggest that picture books without words may actually promote more complex language skills because of the way parents tend to read them.

Education
Young Kids and Educational Programs: What You Need to Know

Debbie Glasser Ph.D. on March 31, 2013

Educational programming can teach all kinds of meaningful lessons to children. However, in order to get to the positive message at the end, children typically view some sort of negative interaction between the characters first. For very young children, this may be confusing. Researchers examined the potential impact this may have among preschool-age children.

Educational programming can teach all kinds of meaningful lessons to children. However, in order to get to the positive message at the end, children typically view some sort of negative interaction between the characters first. For very young children, this may be confusing. Researchers examined the potential impact this may have among preschool-age children.

Self-Esteem
Children & Praise: Why Certain Types of Praise May Backfire

Debbie Glasser Ph.D. on February 28, 2013

Common sense suggests that praising children is certainly better than withholding it. But new research suggests that not all praise is created equal. In fact, certain types of praise may actually undermine the self-esteem of some children, especially those whose self-image is already fragile.

Common sense suggests that praising children is certainly better than withholding it. But new research suggests that not all praise is created equal. In fact, certain types of praise may actually undermine the self-esteem of some children, especially those whose self-image is already fragile.

Career
Homework Help:Some Strategies are More Effective than Others

Debbie Glasser Ph.D. on January 31, 2013

When it's time to study for an exam, many students are quick to grab a highlighter pen to emphasize important information. But this may not be the most effective technique. Educational researchers evaluated 10 frequently used study strategies and discovered that two of them are most likely to make a meaningful difference in the way students retain information and learn.

When it's time to study for an exam, many students are quick to grab a highlighter pen to emphasize important information. But this may not be the most effective technique. Educational researchers evaluated 10 frequently used study strategies and discovered that two of them are most likely to make a meaningful difference in the way students retain information and learn.

Happiness
How to Boost Tween Happiness & Popularity? Promote Kindness

Debbie Glasser Ph.D. on December 31, 2012

Parents of tweens - and kids of all ages - take note: new research suggests that performing acts of kindness towards others not only improves well-being, it also increases popularity. As the New Year approaches, this is an ideal time to put kindness at the top of your family's resolution list.Treating others with kindness feels good and has all kinds of positive benefits.

Parents of tweens - and kids of all ages - take note: new research suggests that performing acts of kindness towards others not only improves well-being, it also increases popularity. As the New Year approaches, this is an ideal time to put kindness at the top of your family's resolution list.Treating others with kindness feels good and has all kinds of positive benefits.

Parenting
Can Parenting Style Impact Your Well-Being?

Debbie Glasser Ph.D. on November 30, 2012

Researchers suggest that intensive parenting may not only contribute to feelings of stress and depression among parents, but can also negatively impact children. Finding a healthy balance between super-parenting and taking a breather to recharge can be the key to a happier home.

Researchers suggest that intensive parenting may not only contribute to feelings of stress and depression among parents, but can also negatively impact children. Finding a healthy balance between super-parenting and taking a breather to recharge can be the key to a happier home.

Parenting
Are You Raising a Future Democrat or Republican?

Debbie Glasser Ph.D. on October 31, 2012

Various parenting styles have been associated with all kinds of outcomes in childhood—from social behavior to school performance. But how about political ideology? New research suggests that the way you parent your children may actually influence their political leanings later in life.

Various parenting styles have been associated with all kinds of outcomes in childhood—from social behavior to school performance. But how about political ideology? New research suggests that the way you parent your children may actually influence their political leanings later in life.

Persuasion
Texting Shortcuts May Have Costs in the Classroom

Debbie Glasser Ph.D. on September 30, 2012

Texting shortcuts may make communication easier, but does it have a cost? Research suggests that frequent texting among tweens can lead to poor grammar skills. When tweens regularly abbreviate their communication via "tech-speak," it may be especially challenging to switch to the more formal rules of grammar that are expected in the classroom.

Texting shortcuts may make communication easier, but does it have a cost? Research suggests that frequent texting among tweens can lead to poor grammar skills. When tweens regularly abbreviate their communication via "tech-speak," it may be especially challenging to switch to the more formal rules of grammar that are expected in the classroom.

Media
Why Daydreaming Can Be Good For Our Kids

Debbie Glasser Ph.D. on August 30, 2012

As our children are becoming increasingly plugged in to technology and other media, it's especially important to build some "down time" into their days. When children have opportunities to daydream and be alone with their thoughts, they may be more likely to reflect, process new ideas and experiences, and even enjoy some relaxation.

As our children are becoming increasingly plugged in to technology and other media, it's especially important to build some "down time" into their days. When children have opportunities to daydream and be alone with their thoughts, they may be more likely to reflect, process new ideas and experiences, and even enjoy some relaxation.

Play
Joking and Pretending: More Than Just Child's Play

Debbie Glasser Ph.D. on May 18, 2012

If you’re the parent of a toddler or preschooler, you already know that silly jokes and make-believe play can bring plenty of joy to your busy days. But according to new research, joking and pretending can be much more than just fun and games.

If you’re the parent of a toddler or preschooler, you already know that silly jokes and make-believe play can bring plenty of joy to your busy days. But according to new research, joking and pretending can be much more than just fun and games.

Play
Preschoolers Need More Outdoor Play with Parents

Debbie Glasser Ph.D. on April 4, 2012

If you’re the parent of a young child, you probably already know many of the benefits of outdoor play. Not only does it help strengthen motor skills, prevent obesity, and support creativity, but playing outside even promotes mental health and well-being.

If you’re the parent of a young child, you probably already know many of the benefits of outdoor play. Not only does it help strengthen motor skills, prevent obesity, and support creativity, but playing outside even promotes mental health and well-being.

Body Language
Good Intentions: Do They Matter?

Debbie Glasser Ph.D. on February 21, 2012

When you hug your partner and express genuine compassion, or send a note in your young child's lunchbox letting her know you made that sandwich just for her, it's your good intentions—not just your nice behavior—that may significantly improve their day.

When you hug your partner and express genuine compassion, or send a note in your young child's lunchbox letting her know you made that sandwich just for her, it's your good intentions—not just your nice behavior—that may significantly improve their day.