Developmental Psychology

Toddlers who experienced severe abuse had reduced brain volumes, which was associated with lower cognitive abilities, according to research published in Neurobiology of Stress.

A study found that lower family income is linked to changes in children's brain connectivity, particularly areas related to cognition and sensory processing, highlighting the impact of socioeconomic status on brain development and cognitive performance.

A study found that Israeli mothers' exposure to the 2006 war did not directly affect their children's sleep, but mothers' emotional distress from the war was linked to increased sleep problems in daughters. This suggests maternal well-being post-conflict influences child...

A groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications reveals how maternal and fetal genes, influenced by food availability, play a crucial role in the growth of a baby's cerebral cortex, linking higher birth weight to an enlarged brain area. This research...

A study found that 24-month-olds remember screen-based information better than 15-month-olds, especially if they nap within 4 hours of learning. Longer naps further improved recall. This highlights sleep's role in enhancing memory consolidation in infants, offering insights for integrating screen...

Recent research in Biological Psychiatry reveals a genetic link between early language development and ADHD risk, with a notable shift from infancy to toddlerhood. This study of 17,298 children highlights the crucial role of genetics in vocabulary growth and its...

While parents favor free play for educational value, experts advocate for guided play, which is goal-oriented and supports learning in areas like math and literacy. This discrepancy underscores the need to educate parents on the benefits of guided play for...

A groundbreaking study revealed that baby talk, compared to adult speech, triggers stronger neural responses in toddlers' brains, particularly in regions linked to attention and word learning. This suggests that the exaggerated pitch and simplified vocabulary of baby talk may...

Early screen time impacts brain networks linked to emotional processing, affecting children's socio-emotional resilience later. However, parent-child reading can mitigate these effects, highlighting the importance of balancing digital exposure with interactive activities.

A study in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience reveals how testosterone may shift teens' focus from family to peers, highlighting its role in the social re-orientation of transgender boys undergoing hormone therapy.

A global study found adult speech, not gender or socioeconomic status, is key to children's language development. Using machine learning to analyzing over 40,000 hours of audio from 1,001 kids across 12 countries, it shows adult interaction significantly boosts child...

A Dutch study found having more friends in school can protect adolescents from mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Unreciprocated friendships increased these symptoms. The research highlights the importance of social networks in adolescent well-being.

A study in Spain shows that children with more green spaces near their homes and schools have lower anxiety levels. This suggests enhancing green space exposure could improve youth mental health. The research highlights the importance of green spaces for...

A new study in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry reveals a strong link between infections during pregnancy and psychiatric symptoms in children from early childhood to adolescence. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and mitigate potential...