Developmental Psychology

Taking a long time to fall asleep during pregnancy is associated with slightly lower offspring intelligence scores at age four. New research points to specific metabolic chemicals in the blood that may link prenatal rest to child brain development.

Scientists have mapped the reading brain, finding that genetics set the foundation for processing sounds and meaning. Meanwhile, the physical act of reading practice actually thickens specific brain regions and optimizes communication pathways.

A large observational study indicates that girls fed human milk as infants tend to experience a later onset of puberty compared to those fed exclusively with infant formula, highlighting potential long-term effects of early childhood nutrition.

A new study suggests that mothers who are less likely to respond to their infants within one second have a higher chance of their children developing ADHD or disruptive behavior disorders by age seven.

While declining female sexual desire is frequently treated as a biological or hormonal issue, behavioral researchers point to adolescent development. Unequal early sexual experiences often condition the developing brain to associate intimacy with discomfort rather than pleasure.

Children whose mothers experienced high levels of stress during pregnancy and shortly after birth may face lasting challenges with social communication. A new analysis tracks how early adversity shapes distinct social skills from childhood through late adolescence.

Children growing up without a father in the home during their first year may experience earlier signs of puberty. A recent study published in the Biology of Sex Differences suggests early family environments relate to long-term biological development.

A large study of brain scans from over 4,000 people has identified four distinct ages when the brain's structural network shifts its developmental trajectory. These turning points separate human life into five unique epochs of topological change.

The ability to argue using scientific evidence starts remarkably early. A new German study demonstrates that four-year-olds can effectively use evidence to refute false claims, a critical cognitive skill that expands significantly by age five.

A new study finds that higher maternal body fat during pregnancy increases systemic inflammation, which in turn predicts greater ADHD symptoms in toddlers. The findings highlight gestational inflammation as a potential pathway shaping early brain development.

Children from disadvantaged backgrounds often start school with lower working memory scores. A large study tracking students through fifth grade reveals how mentally stimulating activities like reading and puzzles can help buffer the cognitive impacts of socioeconomic inequality.

A large study tracking children for over a decade reveals that early intellectual giftedness rarely lasts into adulthood. The findings suggest that genetic factors guide cognitive development far more than a child's environment.

A new neuroimaging study reveals that the amygdala—the brain's emotion center—grows significantly from the fetal stage to early childhood. This growth is steeper in boys, and early left amygdala size is linked to later communication skills.

Children from higher-income families show greater fluid intelligence, a new study finds. However, researchers discovered that increased parental time and positive parenting can effectively bridge this developmental gap, especially for disadvantaged youth.

Even after being entirely forgotten, the tonal languages we hear during our first months of life permanently alter the physical wiring of our brains, according to new imaging research on international adoptees.