The Baby Scientist

Child Development

How to Raise Kids Who Don't Give Up

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on March 17, 2025

How do we encourage kids to be persistent and persevere on challenging tasks? Research suggests that our own behaviors matter for how to keep kids from giving up.

How do we encourage kids to be persistent and persevere on challenging tasks? Research suggests that our own behaviors matter for how to keep kids from giving up.

Child Development

Why Our Kids Just Can't Wait

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on February 10, 2025

If they're used to waiting for something, they can totally do it.

If they're used to waiting for something, they can totally do it.

Motivation

When to Let Go of Old Goals

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on January 13, 2025

We've all heard, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." But is it ever okay to just quit? Research says yes, and you might feel better for it.

We've all heard, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." But is it ever okay to just quit? Research says yes, and you might feel better for it.

Memory

How to Make Your Memories Stick

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on December 16, 2024

An emotional response, surprise, and good sleep can all help.

An emotional response, surprise, and good sleep can all help.

Sleep

On the Benefits of Napping

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on November 11, 2024

Feel like taking a nap? Here's what science says about why you should do it, when, and for how long.

Feel like taking a nap? Here's what science says about why you should do it, when, and for how long.

Fear

The Many Faces of Fear

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on October 14, 2024

Despite our intuitions, we all experience fear differently and for different reasons. Here's what science says about why that is.

Despite our intuitions, we all experience fear differently and for different reasons. Here's what science says about why that is.

Happiness

Do We Experience Less Joy as We Get Older?

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on September 8, 2024

From midlife to elder years, a pretty steady rise in happiness.

From midlife to elder years, a pretty steady rise in happiness.

Media

Are Screens Really to Blame for Teens' Struggles?

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on August 19, 2024

Some experience harm, but others don't, and some benefit.

Some experience harm, but others don't, and some benefit.

Friends

The Importance of Close Friendships: We Are “Fra-mily”

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on July 17, 2024

Friends are incredibly important, and having friends has benefits for long-term health, according to science.

Friends are incredibly important, and having friends has benefits for long-term health, according to science.

Bias

Why It's So Hard to Change Hearts and Minds

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on June 17, 2024

Politically, the United States is more divided than ever. Here's what science says about how we can approach political conversations that involve disagreement.

Politically, the United States is more divided than ever. Here's what science says about how we can approach political conversations that involve disagreement.

Education

The Benefits of Social-Emotional Learning

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on May 20, 2024

Most parents care a lot about how their kids perform in school. Here's why social-emotional learning can be an important part of academic success.

Most parents care a lot about how their kids perform in school. Here's why social-emotional learning can be an important part of academic success.

Parenting

Why We Should Normalize Mistakes

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on April 22, 2024

No one likes to make mistakes, but we all make them. Here's why acknowledging and celebrating our mistakes is good for us—and for our kids.

No one likes to make mistakes, but we all make them. Here's why acknowledging and celebrating our mistakes is good for us—and for our kids.

Child Development

Why Are Food Allergies Becoming So Common?

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on March 11, 2024

According to the CDC, food allergies in children have doubled—or in some cases, tripled—over the last two decades. What's going on?

According to the CDC, food allergies in children have doubled—or in some cases, tripled—over the last two decades. What's going on?

Psychopathy

Can a Toddler Be a Psychopath?

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on February 13, 2024

Here's what science says about psychopathy in adults, and predictors of psychopathy in early childhood.

Here's what science says about psychopathy in adults, and predictors of psychopathy in early childhood.

Pregnancy

Protecting Maternal Physical and Mental Health

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on January 16, 2024

January 23, 2024 will mark the 8th Annual Maternal Health Awareness Day. Here's why maternal health is so important and how we can protect it.

January 23, 2024 will mark the 8th Annual Maternal Health Awareness Day. Here's why maternal health is so important and how we can protect it.

Happiness

Why Money Can't Buy Happiness

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on December 5, 2023

If you’re looking to inject a bit more happiness into your life this winter, here's what researchers have figured out what makes us the happiest.

If you’re looking to inject a bit more happiness into your life this winter, here's what researchers have figured out what makes us the happiest.

Child Development

Has a Decline in Playtime Affected Children’s Mental Health?

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on November 6, 2023

Mental health issues in children are on the rise. A new paper suggests that a decrease in independent playtime might play a role.

Mental health issues in children are on the rise. A new paper suggests that a decrease in independent playtime might play a role.

Relationships

Inside the Human-Dog Love Affair

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on October 9, 2023

Most Americans own a pet, typically a dog. And we love those pets, so much so that losing them can be difficult. Research suggests that dogs love us too. Here's how.

Most Americans own a pet, typically a dog. And we love those pets, so much so that losing them can be difficult. Research suggests that dogs love us too. Here's how.

Sex

Gay Penguins, Geese Thruples, and Bi-Bonobos

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on September 11, 2023

For decades, people have castigated same-sex sexual behavior as unnatural. However, in the animal kingdom, same-sex sexual behavior is quite natural, and very common.

For decades, people have castigated same-sex sexual behavior as unnatural. However, in the animal kingdom, same-sex sexual behavior is quite natural, and very common.

Social Life

The Profound Power of a Simple Hello

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on August 7, 2023

Although it might sound painful to strike up a conversation with strangers on our morning walk or commute, research suggests that maybe we should try.

Although it might sound painful to strike up a conversation with strangers on our morning walk or commute, research suggests that maybe we should try.