Child Development Central

Practical, evidence-based information for parents and professionals.

Mindfulness
Family Happiness Beyond Mindfulness

Mark Bertin M.D. on June 26, 2026

A useful habit is to ask yourself of what you hear: Is it true? Is it true family life tends to be changing and sometimes difficult? If so, what can be done to live more easily?

A useful habit is to ask yourself of what you hear: Is it true? Is it true family life tends to be changing and sometimes difficult? If so, what can be done to live more easily?

Happiness
Giving Away Our Mental Health

Mark Bertin M.D. on March 1, 2026

On any given day, if you've managed to spend time with your kids, get outside, eat meal together, or put phones away for an hour, you've done something significant.

On any given day, if you've managed to spend time with your kids, get outside, eat meal together, or put phones away for an hour, you've done something significant.

Gratitude
Navigating Challenging Times at Year's End

Mark Bertin M.D. on November 26, 2025

This time of year comes with its own mythology, but real life includes snowstorms and mishaps, interwoven with joyful moments.

This time of year comes with its own mythology, but real life includes snowstorms and mishaps, interwoven with joyful moments.

ADHD
An Urgent Message About ADHD Medication Management

Mark Bertin M.D. on October 30, 2025

ADHD medication should be discussed like any other medication. It’s unfair and unfortunate for people with ADHD that these safe and proven treatments have been stigmatized.

ADHD medication should be discussed like any other medication. It’s unfair and unfortunate for people with ADHD that these safe and proven treatments have been stigmatized.

ADHD
Mindfulness and Self-Compassion as Foundations of ADHD Care

Mark Bertin M.D. on October 16, 2025

Mindfulness and self-compassion are steps on a path to living more easily with challenges. In an unforced way, they allow us to remain in touch with our own best intentions.

Mindfulness and self-compassion are steps on a path to living more easily with challenges. In an unforced way, they allow us to remain in touch with our own best intentions.

ADHD
The Best Supports for ADHD, as Chosen by People With ADHD

Mark Bertin M.D. on December 16, 2024

Over 50 people with ADHD collaborated to create this evidence-based, realistic, kind, and practical summary of what they have found useful for living with ADHD.

Over 50 people with ADHD collaborated to create this evidence-based, realistic, kind, and practical summary of what they have found useful for living with ADHD.

Mindfulness
Mindfulness and Contemplative Photography

Mark Bertin M.D. on October 31, 2024

Like anything, photography is about balance and finding a middle path. Set your intention before you take a picture. Pause for a moment, stay intentional, then put the phone away.

Like anything, photography is about balance and finding a middle path. Set your intention before you take a picture. Pause for a moment, stay intentional, then put the phone away.

ADHD
Highly Successful While Living With ADHD and Anxiety

Mark Bertin M.D. on September 21, 2024

People with ADHD, even those who are highly successful, may have unseen struggles, like the calmly gliding duck that paddles frantically under the water.

People with ADHD, even those who are highly successful, may have unseen struggles, like the calmly gliding duck that paddles frantically under the water.

ADHD
Living With and Learning From Inconsistent Behavior in ADHD

Mark Bertin M.D. on May 13, 2024

When a child with ADHD seems to have life figured out one day but not the next, parents can tie themselves in knots trying to understand why. But inconsistency is to be expected.

When a child with ADHD seems to have life figured out one day but not the next, parents can tie themselves in knots trying to understand why. But inconsistency is to be expected.

Attention
How to Break Free of Your Phone's 'Persuasive Design'

Mark Bertin M.D. on December 31, 2023

To raise children in a more balanced world and improve our mental health, we can each decide to push back at the way tech companies try to manipulate our online experience.

To raise children in a more balanced world and improve our mental health, we can each decide to push back at the way tech companies try to manipulate our online experience.

Empathy
Healing Your Children's Future

Mark Bertin M.D. on October 22, 2023

Even when what you most want is to convince someone to follow your heartfelt advice, it starts with understanding what they most care about.

Even when what you most want is to convince someone to follow your heartfelt advice, it starts with understanding what they most care about.

Parenting
The Most Reliable Ways to Help Kids Thrive

Mark Bertin M.D. on August 14, 2023

What conditions can we rely on that make it more likely our children thrive? Around nearly any parenting challenge, let go of trends and return to well-seasoned guidance instead.

What conditions can we rely on that make it more likely our children thrive? Around nearly any parenting challenge, let go of trends and return to well-seasoned guidance instead.

ADHD
Making Collaboration Work With ADHD

Mark Bertin M.D. on January 19, 2023

ADHD affects group work directly. From the start, consider discussing how both parties work best and discuss how you might resolve or negotiate differences in work style.

ADHD affects group work directly. From the start, consider discussing how both parties work best and discuss how you might resolve or negotiate differences in work style.

Attention
Healthy and Mindful Eating for Children

Mark Bertin M.D. on December 7, 2022

Mindful eating is deliberately paying attention and being fully aware as you eat, inside your body, outside yourself, and in your environment, but without criticism or judgment.

Mindful eating is deliberately paying attention and being fully aware as you eat, inside your body, outside yourself, and in your environment, but without criticism or judgment.

ADHD
Preparing Students With ADHD for College

Mark Bertin M.D. on September 28, 2022

Students with ADHD face a perfect storm of challenges at college, as all the support and scaffolding of parents and high school teachers falls away.

Students with ADHD face a perfect storm of challenges at college, as all the support and scaffolding of parents and high school teachers falls away.

Meditation
Sharon Salzberg and the Power of Compassion

Mark Bertin M.D. on August 19, 2022

We have agency in terms of what we're going to do about something. You might have a huge wave of anger—that doesn't mean you're going to press send on the e-mail. It's up to you.

We have agency in terms of what we're going to do about something. You might have a huge wave of anger—that doesn't mean you're going to press send on the e-mail. It's up to you.

Mindfulness
The Power of Nonviolent Communication

Mark Bertin M.D. on May 23, 2022

Will we revert to stone-age methods of dominance, even in personal interactions, or can we recognize and embody our potential for compassion and cooperation?

Will we revert to stone-age methods of dominance, even in personal interactions, or can we recognize and embody our potential for compassion and cooperation?

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Magazine
July 2026 magazine cover
July 2026
26 Keys to Thriving

From the power of pausing to the ability to ignore, we’ve culled 26 simple, actionable measures for gaining a sense of control and living a meaningful life.

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Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

Self Assessments
Quizzes