Research into attachment theory shows that the type of bond a child forms with their primary caregiver has important developmental implications. Kids who are securely attached to a caregiver (beginning in infancy) have significantly better social and communication skills (including empathy, cooperation, and trust) than kids who experience insecure or avoidant attachment. As a result, they typically form stronger, healthier ...
Time is our most precious resource, but few of us know how to manage it properly: According to research, less than one in five people employ any formal time management system. In addition to having a detrimental impact on productivity, this lack of time management contributes to multiple physical and mental health concerns, including reduced sleep quality and higher rates ...
The prospect of becoming a step-parent is an exciting part of starting a new relationship; however, it’s crucial to manage your expectations and understand the challenges that potentially lay ahead. Step-families are inherently more complicated than traditional families because they involve more people and, in some cases, there’s a history of conflict between the child’s biological parents. ...
Exploring sexual behaviour is a normal part of adolescence, but parents must be mindful of the messages their children get about sex. Certain types of content, like hyper-sexualized entertainment, social media posts, and especially pornography, can hinder healthy sexual development. They can also give teens unrealistic ideas about relationships and, in the case of pornography, lead to addiction. If you’...
Autism has been in the spotlight for many years. In movies, television, and novels, autistic characters are portrayed to have ...
With climate change becoming an increasingly common theme in politics, news, and even entertainment, it’s no wonder more young ...
While most of the issues adopted children face while growing up differ little from the challenges experienced by non-adopted children, ...
When electronic cigarettes were introduced to the Canadian market in 2004, they were intended to provide adults with a safer alternative to smoking. Unfortunately, e-cigarettes have multiple attributes that make them highly appealing to young people, leading to an explosive rise in adolescent vaping. Between 2011 and 2019, e-cigarette use among teens increased from 1.5% to 27.5%, according to the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey. Today, ...
Your child’s first impression of school sets the tone for the rest of his academic life. Research shows that children who have positive experiences after beginning school enjoy a healthier social life and a stronger academic record, whereas enduring negative experiences is associated with poorer performance and less enriching peer relationships. The most difficult aspect of beginning school is ...
Children are experiencing a historic disruption in social development. The Covid-19 pandemic rapidly accelerated the preexisting trend of kids relying on digital devices (rather than face-to-face conversation) to stay in touch with peers, a phenomenon linked to language delays and increased social anxiety. Kids with poor communication skills also have more difficulties with academic learning, and research shows they face ...
Establishing clear, consistent rules is fundamental to good parenting. Kids need structure to feel secure in their environment, learn the importance of boundaries, and understand which behaviors are appropriate. When applied in excess, however, rules can be counterproductive; while authoritative parenting is associated with a range of developmental benefits, controlling parenting can cause emotional and psychological harm. Knowing the difference ...
