The Art of Talking with Children

Creativity

What LLMs Are Quietly Doing to Creativity

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on May 8, 2026

Two new studies reveal how AI is standardizing creative thinking. Here's what parents, clinicians, and educators need to know, and what we can do about it.

Two new studies reveal how AI is standardizing creative thinking. Here's what parents, clinicians, and educators need to know, and what we can do about it.

Artificial Intelligence

When AI Fills Every Silence

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on January 26, 2026

Before you hand your child that AI companion toy, understand what's happening in the silence it fills.

Before you hand your child that AI companion toy, understand what's happening in the silence it fills.

Altruism

The Batman Effect: You're More Changeable Than You Think

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on November 24, 2025

New research reveals how tiny environmental cues—most of which you don't even notice—can dramatically change your behavior, altruism, and ability to persist.

New research reveals how tiny environmental cues—most of which you don't even notice—can dramatically change your behavior, altruism, and ability to persist.

Education

5 Ways to Bring Learning Back to the Body

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on September 11, 2025

Research reveals why using all five senses helps kids stay motivated and learn deeply. Here are simple ways to make it happen using materials you already have.

Research reveals why using all five senses helps kids stay motivated and learn deeply. Here are simple ways to make it happen using materials you already have.

Child Development

The Communication Skills Kids Miss When They Stay Indoors

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on September 5, 2025

Working with kids has taught me the limits of learning friendship skills online. Here's why playground negotiations matter more for development than we realize.

Working with kids has taught me the limits of learning friendship skills online. Here's why playground negotiations matter more for development than we realize.

Cognition

How Has Your Brain Adapted to the Digital Age?

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on August 20, 2025

Your phone may be changing how you think in ways you haven't noticed. Here's how to identify your natural cognitive style and work with it.

Your phone may be changing how you think in ways you haven't noticed. Here's how to identify your natural cognitive style and work with it.

Creativity

The Unmeasurable Life: When Data Replaces Wonder

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on July 30, 2025

We're so busy tracking our lives that we can miss out on them entirely. The things that matter most can't be measured—and what we can do about it.

We're so busy tracking our lives that we can miss out on them entirely. The things that matter most can't be measured—and what we can do about it.

Child Development

Kids Trust Google Over Grandma

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on May 9, 2025

A new study finds children now trust Google over adults for answers. Beyond missing facts, they're missing the deeper connections with others. Discover a technique to help.

A new study finds children now trust Google over adults for answers. Beyond missing facts, they're missing the deeper connections with others. Discover a technique to help.

Child Development

Is "Paying Attention" Overrated for Kids?

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on March 7, 2025

New research suggests their wandering focus for kids isn't a deficit—it might be a different, equally powerful way of learning.

New research suggests their wandering focus for kids isn't a deficit—it might be a different, equally powerful way of learning.

Social Media

The Unexpected Key to Deeper Relationships in the Digital Age

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on November 25, 2024

When we over-focus on the dangers of social media, we miss the exciting ways we can harness tech for richer conversations.

When we over-focus on the dangers of social media, we miss the exciting ways we can harness tech for richer conversations.

Anxiety

Why Today's Kids Are Facing a Meaning Crisis

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on August 12, 2024

Many kids today are anxious, in part because they're missing opportunities to develop a sense of meaning. With richer conversations, we can help.

Many kids today are anxious, in part because they're missing opportunities to develop a sense of meaning. With richer conversations, we can help.

Social Media

When We Use Screens to Reward Kids, They Use Screens More

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on July 2, 2024

A new study shows that using screens as a reward may backfire for tweens and teens.

A new study shows that using screens as a reward may backfire for tweens and teens.

Education

To Revive Education, Teach the Unknown

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on March 3, 2024

In a post-pandemic world, we need deep shifts in education—starting with how we talk with kids.

In a post-pandemic world, we need deep shifts in education—starting with how we talk with kids.

Child Development

Screen Time Isn't Bad for Kids, if It's Shared With Parents

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on December 8, 2023

All screen time isn't equal—and new research finds that when families watch screens together, kids show stronger literacy skills.

All screen time isn't equal—and new research finds that when families watch screens together, kids show stronger literacy skills.

Education

Talk for Resilience: Lessons From Ukrainian Schools

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on August 30, 2023

Learning from Ukrainian schools can help parents and teachers raise more resilient and empathetic kids.

Learning from Ukrainian schools can help parents and teachers raise more resilient and empathetic kids.

Artificial Intelligence

Why Automated Talk Doesn't Scare Us, And Why It Should

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on June 27, 2023

When technology talks for us, how do we—and our children—change? Are we allowing automated talk to go too far?

When technology talks for us, how do we—and our children—change? Are we allowing automated talk to go too far?

Academic Problems and Skills

The Surprising Thing Kids Need to Become Strong Readers

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on May 26, 2023

It's clearer than ever that kids need decoding skills to read well. But if books are to be meaningful to them, they also need great conversations.

It's clearer than ever that kids need decoding skills to read well. But if books are to be meaningful to them, they also need great conversations.

Cognition

New Research Shows Why Kids Need Play for Mental Health

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on March 21, 2023

Are you interested in helping a generation of stressed-out, anxious kids? Play is a critical way in.

Are you interested in helping a generation of stressed-out, anxious kids? Play is a critical way in.

Depression

The Simple Key to Strengthening Your Bond with Children

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on December 14, 2022

Do you want a deeper relationship with the kids in your life? Try this simple technique a few times a day.

Do you want a deeper relationship with the kids in your life? Try this simple technique a few times a day.

Relationships

How to Listen Actively Even When You're Tired

Rebecca Rolland Ed.D. on November 20, 2022

Have the children in your life ever complained, "That's not what I meant?" This three-part process helps kids feel seen and heard.

Have the children in your life ever complained, "That's not what I meant?" This three-part process helps kids feel seen and heard.