Growth Curve
The inexact science of raising kids
- Health & Medicine
The science behind kids’ belief in Santa
Children’s belief in Santa is strong — until it isn’t anymore, usually at around age 8.
- Health & Medicine
An abundance of toys can curb kids’ creativity and focus
Too many toys may lead to more shallow play for toddlers, a new study suggests.
- Health & Medicine
Staring into a baby’s eyes puts her brain waves and yours in sync
Brain waves line up when adults and babies lock eyes.
- Health & Medicine
Six-month-old babies know words for common things, but struggle with similar nouns
Young babies know a cup of juice from a car, but have a hard time distinguishing more similar nouns, a new study finds.
- Health & Medicine
Let most babies eat food containing peanuts. Really.
Pediatricians are not yet peanut-savvy when it comes to convincing parents to feed babies food containing peanuts, a new survey suggests.
- Health & Medicine
C-sections lead to heftier mouse pups, but the implications for people aren’t clear
Mice born via C-section gained more weight than mice born vaginally, adding to the body of research that hints at a link between birth mode and future health.
- Health & Medicine
Moms tweak the timbre of their voice when talking to their babies
Mothers shift the timbre, or quality, of their voice when talking to their babies, a change that happens in many different languages.
- Health & Medicine
Parenting advice gets a fact-check
A new website called Parentifact attempts to fight parenting misinformation.
- Health & Medicine
Seeing an adult struggle before succeeding inspires toddlers to persevere too
When 15-month-olds watched an adult struggle and then succeed, the toddlers were more likely to try harder themselves, a study found.
- Health & Medicine
Telling children they’re smart could tempt them to cheat
Kids who were praised for being smart were more likely to cheat, two studies suggest.
- Health & Medicine
Help for postpartum mood disorders can be hard to come by
A new survey suggests that many postpartum women who suffer from depression, anxiety and other mood disorders don’t get the help they need.
- Health & Medicine
Sugars in breast milk may fight harmful bacteria directly
A small study finds that the sugars present in some women’s breast milk may fight potentially harmful bacteria.
