Scientists recently discovered that infants with certain genetic variations are more inclined to cuddle, linking cuddliness to the oxytocin-related CD38 gene. This study highlights the genetic foundations of social bonding and touch in infants.
A study shows that children closely attached to pets face lower risks of adolescent mental health disorders. This highlights the importance of pet interactions for youth socioemotional development.
New research finds neighborhood disorder during pregnancy increases testosterone levels, possibly impacting prenatal development and long-term health.
New research reveals that infants primarily learn language through rhythm rather than individual sounds, challenging traditional theories. The study emphasizes the importance of rhythmic speech patterns, like nursery rhymes, in early language development.
A new study suggests that newborns may begin language acquisition in the womb, with prenatal language exposure influencing their neural activity and potentially shaping their future language learning abilities. This groundbreaking research underscores the early foundations of language development in...
Rough-and-tumble play, involving playful wrestling and chasing, is beneficial for children's physical, emotional, and cognitive development. It helps build balance, coordination, social skills, emotional resilience, and working memory, and should be encouraged with safety and clear boundaries in mind.
New research in Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology reveals that hormones during early development, particularly prenatal and early postnatal periods, significantly influence sexual orientation by affecting gene expression in the brain. This challenges the notion that socialization is the primary...
A study on mice suggests that fetal exposure to cannabidiol (CBD) could lead to altered development in offspring, affecting their thermal pain sensitivity and problem-solving abilities. This research, particularly relevant for pregnant women using CBD for its anti-nausea properties, highlights...
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that young adults who were exposed to threatening behavior from their mothers during childhood experience greater feelings of helplessness and lower self-efficacy, indirectly leading to increased anxiety. The research highlights...
Recent research challenges the traditional focus on the mother-child bond in child psychology, emphasizing the importance of multiple caregivers in a child's development. Studies reveal that children with secure attachments to both parents show better mental health and language skills,...
A new study finds that childhood trauma is linked to various forms of anger in adults, with emotional neglect and physical abuse as significant predictors. These insights could guide better treatment for affective disorders by incorporating trauma-focused interventions.
Warm parent-child relationships in early childhood promote prosocial behavior and protect against mental health issues in later years, according to a study involving over 10,000 children by the University of Cambridge.
Research from the European Journal of Neuroscience reveals that playing with dolls, especially in social settings, activates the posterior superior temporal sulcus, a brain region linked to social processing. This is true for children across varying neurodevelopmental profiles, underscoring the...
Nighttime smartphone use by children is linked to attentional problems and potentially impacts school performance, as found in a study published in The Journal of Early Adolescence. While excessive late-night screen time was correlated with increased attention-related issues, surprisingly, it...