Disney Princesses Boost Kids’ Confidence and Play Diversity

Summary: A recent study suggests that a favorite Disney princess can positively influence young children’s body confidence and diversify their play. The research classified princesses by body type, noting that…

Toddlers Use Logic Before Language

Summary: Toddlers as young as 19 months old exhibit natural logical thinking, independent of language knowledge. This ability, manifesting as exclusion by elimination, allows toddlers to make conclusions about unknown…

Adolescent BMI Link: Rising Weights, Rising Depression Risks

Summary: New research identifies a strong correlation between higher BMI in children aged 12-16 and increased risks of depression symptoms. The association weakens for the age bracket 16-21, suggesting an…

Treating Mom’s Postnatal Depression with SSRIs Also Boosts Child Behavior

Summary: A new study found that treating postnatal depression with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) benefits not just mothers but also their children. The study, which analyzed data from over…

Good Sleep Habits Can Buffer Kids From Stress-Linked Impulsivity

Summary: A study reveals that adequate sleep can help children combat impulsive behaviors often induced by stressful environments. Researchers analyzed data from over 11,000 children aged 9-10, finding that those…

Debunking the Social Media & Teen Anxiety Myth

Summary: Contrary to popular belief, a six-year study reveals that increased use of social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok does not lead to higher rates of anxiety and…

Is Childhood Adversity A Lens for Moral Judgments?

Summary: Researchers uncovered how a person’s childhood adversity shapes others’ judgments of their actions. The study reveals that people perceive negative actions by those with challenging childhoods as less a…

Children’s Views on Inequality: The Power of Explanation

Summary: Researchers revealed that children’s perceptions of inequality are shaped by how its origins are explained to them. While adults often attribute social inequalities to structural forces, children interpret these…

Baby Gut Microbes: A Link to Early Cognitive Skills?

Summary: Researchers discovered associations between specific microbes in infants’ guts and early cognitive development performance. This exploratory study examined 56 infants, revealing that certain microbiome compositions corresponded with success in…

Linking Childhood Trauma to Mental Illness: Astrocytes Key to the Puzzle

Summary: The removal of excitatory synapses by astrocytes, triggered by stress hormones, can lead to mental illnesses induced by childhood neglect or abuse. The study reveals that synthetic glucocorticoids, or…