The Baby Scientist

Child Development

How Do Babies Know If Something Is Alive?

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on July 13, 2021

Research suggests that babies use several cues to decide who and what is alive, and who might be a good listener.

Research suggests that babies use several cues to decide who and what is alive, and who might be a good listener.

Loneliness

How Loneliness Affects Our Health and Well-Being

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on June 7, 2021

Research suggests that loneliness can be a serious health risk on par with the risk of smoking and obesity. Here's why (and what you can do about it).

Research suggests that loneliness can be a serious health risk on par with the risk of smoking and obesity. Here's why (and what you can do about it).

Coronavirus Disease 2019

When Will a Vaccine Be Available for Kids?

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on May 14, 2021

We are finally seeing some relief from COVID-19 with the approval of vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer, and J&J for ages 16 and up. But when will they be safe for younger children?

We are finally seeing some relief from COVID-19 with the approval of vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer, and J&J for ages 16 and up. But when will they be safe for younger children?

Child Development

The Benefits of Playing Outside

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on April 12, 2021

When I was a kid, my parents constantly told me to go play outside. But outdoor playtime has declined over the decades. Here's why we should make an effort to bring it back.

When I was a kid, my parents constantly told me to go play outside. But outdoor playtime has declined over the decades. Here's why we should make an effort to bring it back.

Child Development

What Twins Can Teach Us About Genetic and Environment Influences

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on March 16, 2021

Studying twins provides insight into the brain, behavior, and child development.

Studying twins provides insight into the brain, behavior, and child development.

Depression

Fend Off the February Blues With Your Kids

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on February 8, 2021

The winter months can be depressing, especially in a pandemic. Here's how to combat the February blues?

The winter months can be depressing, especially in a pandemic. Here's how to combat the February blues?

Education

Face Masks and Children’s Emotion Understanding

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on January 18, 2021

Does wearing a face mask get in the way of children’s emotional learning and their ability to understand and respond to the emotions of others? Here are some answers.

Does wearing a face mask get in the way of children’s emotional learning and their ability to understand and respond to the emotions of others? Here are some answers.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Screen Time in the Time of COVID-19

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on December 7, 2020

With remote learning as the only option for some schools, parents are concerned about all the extra screen time. Here's what science has to say about the impact on our kids.

With remote learning as the only option for some schools, parents are concerned about all the extra screen time. Here's what science has to say about the impact on our kids.

Gratitude

The Season for Gratitude: Getting Kids to Share

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on November 9, 2020

Giving to others has long-term benefits for our happiness and well-being. But sharing doesn't come easily for kids. Here's how to get them into the spirit of giving this season.

Giving to others has long-term benefits for our happiness and well-being. But sharing doesn't come easily for kids. Here's how to get them into the spirit of giving this season.

Fear

How We Learn to Be Afraid

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on October 12, 2020

Why do some of us go out to celebrate a holiday built on fear while others just stay shuddered at home? Here's the science of how we (and our children) learn to be afraid.

Why do some of us go out to celebrate a holiday built on fear while others just stay shuddered at home? Here's the science of how we (and our children) learn to be afraid.

Parenting

What Our Faces Say to Our Children

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on September 14, 2020

Babies have a lot to learn. Here's how they can use our faces to learn important information about the world around them.

Babies have a lot to learn. Here's how they can use our faces to learn important information about the world around them.

Bullying

When Little Kids Get Mean

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on August 17, 2020

We all know that children can be cruel to each other. But when and how do children behave aggressively? When does aggressive behavior turn into bullying?

We all know that children can be cruel to each other. But when and how do children behave aggressively? When does aggressive behavior turn into bullying?

Parenting

Why Helicopter Parenting Fosters Failure

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on July 13, 2020

How hands-on, well-intentioned parenting can lead to over-involvement, and how letting kids fail is sometimes the best way to help them succeed.

How hands-on, well-intentioned parenting can lead to over-involvement, and how letting kids fail is sometimes the best way to help them succeed.

Empathy

Talking to Children About Racism

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on June 9, 2020

Here are a few lessons from developmental science that might help parents to talk to their children about racism and to be active agents in promoting anti-racism at home.

Here are a few lessons from developmental science that might help parents to talk to their children about racism and to be active agents in promoting anti-racism at home.

Resilience

When the Going Gets Tough

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on May 11, 2020

There are lots of things that can make life harder for children. What factors can help kids succeed even when the odds are stacked against them? What leads to resilience in kids?

There are lots of things that can make life harder for children. What factors can help kids succeed even when the odds are stacked against them? What leads to resilience in kids?

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Parenting in the Time of the Coronavirus: Protect Your Health

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on April 13, 2020

With the stress of a pandemic, it’s easy to deprioritize your own needs to take care of your family. Here's why taking care of your own mental health is important for your kids.

With the stress of a pandemic, it’s easy to deprioritize your own needs to take care of your family. Here's why taking care of your own mental health is important for your kids.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Parenting in the Time of the Coronavirus

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on March 18, 2020

Many are panicked about how to keep their families healthy and avoid spreading the disease. So what do we do?

Many are panicked about how to keep their families healthy and avoid spreading the disease. So what do we do?

Child Development

Who's That Baby in the Mirror?

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on February 10, 2020

Babies don't recognize themselves in the mirror until the second year of life, which is around the same time they develop a sense of self.

Babies don't recognize themselves in the mirror until the second year of life, which is around the same time they develop a sense of self.

Empathy

Promoting Empathy in Our Kids (And in Ourselves)

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on January 13, 2020

Empathy enables us to relate to others and motivates us to help those in need. Unfortunately, empathy is on the decline. Here's how to promote empathy in our kids and ourselves.

Empathy enables us to relate to others and motivates us to help those in need. Unfortunately, empathy is on the decline. Here's how to promote empathy in our kids and ourselves.

Education

When Less Is More: On Choosing Holiday Toys This Season

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on December 9, 2019

Although there is a temptation to go overboard with gift-giving during the holidays, here's how fewer, simpler toys can add a little extra creativity to your child's fun this year.

Although there is a temptation to go overboard with gift-giving during the holidays, here's how fewer, simpler toys can add a little extra creativity to your child's fun this year.