Developmental Psychology

Chemical modifications to our DNA shape the developing brain in profound ways. A new study suggests the most dramatic changes happen long before we are born, offering clues to the origins of neurodevelopmental conditions.

A new nationwide study has found that public Montessori preschool programs lead to stronger learning outcomes by the end of kindergarten. The research also reveals that this educational model can be implemented at a significantly lower cost to taxpayers.

How does cannabis use during pregnancy affect the developing brain? A new study in rats explored the role of a key nutrient in brain development, finding that dietary changes could influence some, but not all, of the outcomes associated with...

A new study suggests that when mothers have both depression and ADHD symptoms, their toddlers may face greater emotional and attentional difficulties. This combination appears to present a compounded challenge for early development.

New research suggests that fathers taking paternity leave can have a lasting positive influence on their children's academic and behavioral growth. This effect appears to be particularly pronounced with longer leave durations, and it shapes family relationships in important ways.

A new study indicates that both family struggles and outside stressors shape adolescent behavior and wellbeing. The results suggest a two-way relationship, where early emotional or behavioral problems can also increase exposure to later adversity.

Depression and anxiety in adolescents appear closely linked to both parental and childhood adversity. The research points to deprivation, such as poverty and neglect, as a powerful predictor of teenage mental health struggles, highlighting the importance of early intervention.

Why do children laugh when being chased or enjoy a spooky story? New research explores the widespread phenomenon of "recreational fear," examining how children playfully engage with frightening situations as they grow from toddlers into teenagers.

Reinforcing current dietary guidelines, a new study shows restricting sugar in pregnancy and infancy is associated with lower adult asthma and COPD rates. The research, analyzing a post-war rationing period, highlights the long-term benefits of early nutritional choices.

New research links prenatal air pollution exposure with slower brain development in newborns. The study, published in Environment International, found that higher PM2.5 exposure was tied to reduced brain myelination in the first month of life.

Children living in states with higher income inequality showed differences in brain size and connectivity, according to new findings in Nature Mental Health. These brain measures were associated with later mental health symptoms, suggesting structural inequality may play a role...

A study in The Lancet Planetary Health reports that prenatal exposure to common industrial chemicals, known as PFAS, is associated with specific alterations in children's brain structure and function years later.

A new study suggests that antidepressant use during pregnancy does not directly cause anxiety or depression in children. The findings, published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, highlight the role of genetics and family environment instead.

A parent's subclinical autistic traits may predict their child's early developmental progress, a Japanese study of over 31,000 families suggests.