Great Kids, Great Parents

Child Development

Ghosts in the Nursery

Paul C Holinger M.D. on April 30, 2023

How we were raised can have a very real impact on how we raise our children.

How we were raised can have a very real impact on how we raise our children.

Child Development

How Do People Become Prejudiced?

Paul C Holinger M.D. on December 30, 2022

Social conditions can create fertile soil for nourishing bias, prejudice, and violence.

Social conditions can create fertile soil for nourishing bias, prejudice, and violence.

Bias

The Role of Language in Bias, Prejudice, and Violence

Paul C Holinger M.D. on October 19, 2022

Language can be an instrument of bias, prejudice, and violence at the individual level and in groups.

Language can be an instrument of bias, prejudice, and violence at the individual level and in groups.

Anger

The Role of Cognition in Bias, Prejudice, and Violence

Paul C Holinger M.D. on August 15, 2022

Affects and cognition have both assets and liabilities. Each can impact the other profoundly.

Affects and cognition have both assets and liabilities. Each can impact the other profoundly.

Fear

The Role of Affects in Bias, Prejudice, and Violence

Paul C Holinger M.D. on June 30, 2022

Our earliest feelings, such as fear and shame, can provide the fuel for bias, prejudice, and violence, in individuals and groups.

Our earliest feelings, such as fear and shame, can provide the fuel for bias, prejudice, and violence, in individuals and groups.

Fear

How Do Humans Deal with Differences/Otherness?

Paul C Holinger M.D. on May 17, 2022

The perception of differences allows humans to anticipate, predict, sort out cause and effect, and pursue alternatives.

The perception of differences allows humans to anticipate, predict, sort out cause and effect, and pursue alternatives.

Child Development

How Do People Become Prejudiced?

Paul C Holinger M.D. on February 28, 2022

Temperament and capacity to assess differences in stimuli as well as what one is taught and experiences contribute to prejudice.

Temperament and capacity to assess differences in stimuli as well as what one is taught and experiences contribute to prejudice.

Anger

Toward Understanding Bias, Prejudice, and Violence

Paul C Holinger M.D. on January 3, 2022

The issues of “cultism and zealotry” have rarely examined the impact of early development on their germination and expression.

The issues of “cultism and zealotry” have rarely examined the impact of early development on their germination and expression.

Child Development

Why Physical Punishment Persists

Paul C Holinger M.D. on November 30, 2021

Physical punishment is a signal that we need to take early development seriously, We need to understand how feelings work and to be aware of the variables that contribute to violence.

Physical punishment is a signal that we need to take early development seriously, We need to understand how feelings work and to be aware of the variables that contribute to violence.

Anger

We Hit—“Spank”—Infants and Children

Paul C Holinger M.D. on October 5, 2021

Violence will not end until we take seriously what researchers and clinicians tell us about the problems associated with physical punishment.

Violence will not end until we take seriously what researchers and clinicians tell us about the problems associated with physical punishment.

Child Development

Where Are the Laws Against Hitting Children?

Paul C Holinger M.D. on July 21, 2021

How do we regulate the rights of parents to raise their own children as they wish, and the rights of the child and society?

How do we regulate the rights of parents to raise their own children as they wish, and the rights of the child and society?

Empathy

Empathy—What Is It?

Paul C Holinger M.D. on May 20, 2021

Affect, cognition, and language are intimately connected with the concept of empathy , which is crucial for human relationships and clinical work.

Affect, cognition, and language are intimately connected with the concept of empathy , which is crucial for human relationships and clinical work.

Education

Education and Teaching

Paul C Holinger M.D. on March 18, 2021

How do we get students motivated to identify, confront, and divulge some of their most volatile and sensitive emotions and memories—in verse?

How do we get students motivated to identify, confront, and divulge some of their most volatile and sensitive emotions and memories—in verse?

Anger

Anger: The Misunderstood Affect

Paul C Holinger M.D. on January 5, 2021

Language can complicate the expression of anger between individuals, making it misunderstood or too harsh.

Language can complicate the expression of anger between individuals, making it misunderstood or too harsh.

Child Development

Why Does the U.S. Still Permit the Physical Punishment of Children?

Paul C Holinger M.D. on November 11, 2020

Physical punishment is a serious public health problem in the U.S., but alternatives exist that are more effective in enhancing the development of children.

Physical punishment is a serious public health problem in the U.S., but alternatives exist that are more effective in enhancing the development of children.

Grief

The Reckoning

Paul C Holinger M.D. on September 2, 2020

COVID-19 has changed death for the dying, and grief for the survivors, and made trauma the price paid by many health care workers.

COVID-19 has changed death for the dying, and grief for the survivors, and made trauma the price paid by many health care workers.

Child Development

How Playfulness Helps Ease Upsets

Paul C Holinger M.D. on July 7, 2020

Behavioral change occurs much more readily when one uses positive affects rather than negative affects.

Behavioral change occurs much more readily when one uses positive affects rather than negative affects.

Anxiety

When Distress in Children Is Caused by Boredom and Separation

Paul C Holinger M.D. on May 4, 2020

As an infant grows and begins to crawl, walk, and talk, two of the most common causes of distress are boredom and separation.

As an infant grows and begins to crawl, walk, and talk, two of the most common causes of distress are boredom and separation.

Empathy

Handling Your Child’s Distress

Paul C Holinger M.D. on April 28, 2020

If it is hard for you to hear your child express distress, here are some insights that might make it easier for you to feel comfortable.

If it is hard for you to hear your child express distress, here are some insights that might make it easier for you to feel comfortable.

Child Development

Infants and Young Children Are Smarter Than We Think

Paul C Holinger M.D. on April 1, 2020

Recent findings demonstrating infants’ early cognitive capacities highlight the importance of enhancing the affect of interest in the service of cognition.

Recent findings demonstrating infants’ early cognitive capacities highlight the importance of enhancing the affect of interest in the service of cognition.