http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/child_development/ Read the latest research in child development including how newborns learn to think, how sleep patterns emerge, problems with toddlers and more. en-us Sat, 17 May 2008 14:05:01 EDT Sat, 17 May 2008 14:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/child_development/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515092610.htm New research findings from the world's largest study on language emergence have revealed that one in four late-talking toddlers continue to have language problems by age seven. Fri, 16 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515092610.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516094416.htm In the wake of divorce, illness, violence and other problems that can unsettle homes, countless young children are liable to experience temporary separations from one or both parents before packing their knapsacks for kindergarten. Researchers warn that such kids are at increased risk for learning difficulties. Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516094416.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080514154700.htm Infants and toddlers whose mothers are severely depressed are almost three times more likely to suffer accidental injuries than other children in the same age group, according to a new study. The study's findings suggest that proper treatment for depression would improve not only the mothers' health, but the health of young children as well. Thu, 15 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080514154700.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515101348.htm Although children as young as 5 can be diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, few research studies have looked at treatments specifically geared toward young children with this disorder. Now, a new study provides some of the first evidence-based data on a successful intervention for early childhood OCD. Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515101348.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515100659.htm More than 40 percent of parents have used cough medicine for children younger than two -- even though it is not recommended, nor proven effective for children in this age group, a new study has found. Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515100659.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515073026.htm New research has found that minimum standards of quality in early education classrooms, including teachers' level of education and field of study, class size, and child-to-teacher ratio were not directly related to children's learning and social development. The research was conducted among 2,349 4-year olds enrolled in 671 pre-kindergarten classrooms in 11 states. The findings suggest that focusing on high quality instructional and emotional interactions within pre-K classrooms has the potential to improve children's development. Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515073026.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080513101717.htm Researchers will use music as a tool to explore the ability of children with ASD to identify emotions in musical excerpts and facial expressions. Wed, 14 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080513101717.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080513112355.htm The post-university years can start out tough. The good news: it gets better. A new study of almost 600 recent graduates (ages 20-29 years old) tracked mental health symptoms in participants for seven years post-graduation and looked at how key events like leaving home and becoming a parent were related to depression and anger. Graduates showed a significant decrease in depressive symptoms over the seven years. Expressed anger also declined over time after graduation, suggesting improved mental health. Tue, 13 May 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080513112355.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080513101605.htm A new study that is the first to systematically examine a large sample of female child molesters finds that many of them were themselves victims of sexual abuse as children. The finding has the potential to help break the cycle of abuse by improving treatment for offenders and their young victims. Tue, 13 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080513101605.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512163859.htm Multiple sclerosis typically starts in young adulthood, but about five percent of cases start in childhood or the teen years. Children with MS are at risk to exhibit low IQ scores and problems with memory, attention and other thinking skills, according to a new study in Neurology. Tue, 13 May 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512163859.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512191126.htm Young children whose parents read aloud to them have better language and literacy skills when they go to school, according to a new review. Mon, 12 May 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512191126.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512105708.htm Young children tend to think that other kids with glasses look smarter than kids who don't wear glasses, according to a new study. Children between the ages of 6 and 10 who were surveyed for the study also thought that kids wearing glasses looked more honest than children who don't wear glasses. Mon, 12 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512105708.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080511190834.htm Women and men tend to have different types of stress-related psychological disorders. Women have greater rates of depression and some types of anxiety disorders than men, while men have greater rates of alcohol-use disorders than women. A new study of emotional and alcohol-craving responses to stress has found that when men become upset, they are more likely than women to want alcohol. Mon, 12 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080511190834.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512113505.htm Public investment in early childhood programs may be able to lower public costs for social services by improving children's long-term welfare. Such work is helping to promote a reorientation of child and human services toward investment and prevention, moving away from the current system that seeks to "treat" problems. Research from the fields of neuroscience, developmental psychology and program evaluation has shown how early experiences help determine how a person's brain develops and that effective early intervention strategies can improve a wide range of outcomes from childhood through early adulthood. Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512113505.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080509105348.htm Millions of American teens report experiencing weeks of hopelessness and loss of interest in normal daily activities and many of these depressed teens are using marijuana and other drugs, making their situation worse, according to a new White House report. Sat, 10 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080509105348.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507152419.htm Children who speak a second or third language may have an unexpected advantage later in life, a new study has found. Knowing and speaking many languages may protect the brain against the effects of aging. Thu, 08 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507152419.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507133326.htm Anti-obesity drugs that work by blocking brain molecules similar to those in marijuana could also interfere with neural development in young children, according to a new study from MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory. Thu, 08 May 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507133326.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507132910.htm For children of divorce, what happens after their parents split up may be just as important to their long-term well-being as the divorce itself. A new study found that children who lived in unstable family situations after their parents divorced fared much worse as adults on a variety of measures compared to children who had stable post-divorce family situations. Thu, 08 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507132910.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507105644.htm A new way to measure breathing patterns in sleeping infants which may also work for adults has just been created. The researcher has created a mathematical formula that measures varying breathing patterns which indicate different sleep states such as active or quiet sleep. Wed, 07 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507105644.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507084001.htm Scientists have discovered important differences between the brains of suicide victims and so-called normal brains. Although the genetic sequence was identical in the suicide and non-suicide brains, there were differences in their epigenetic marking -- a chemical coating influenced by environmental factors. All of the 13 suicide victims in the study had experienced abuse as children. Wed, 07 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507084001.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505223427.htm Whether a young man's mother earned a college degree and whether she worked outside the home while he was growing up seems to have an effect years later when he considers his ideal wife, according to a new study. High-achieving men -- those who earn salaries in the top 10 percent for their age and/or have a graduate degree -- are highly likely to marry a woman whose education level mirrors their mom's. Wed, 07 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505223427.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505162902.htm Prolonged and exclusive nursing improves children's cognitive development. The largest randomized study of breastfeeding ever conducted reports that breastfeeding raises children's IQs, and improves their academic performance, scientists say. Tue, 06 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505162902.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505162858.htm Although most adopted American teens are psychologically healthy, adoptees appear to be at greater risk for emotional and behavioral problems than non-adoptees, according to a new report in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. They are also more likely to have contact with a mental health professional. Tue, 06 May 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505162858.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080504095619.htm Because the first national study of its kind has found that US mothers report they are less likely to vaccinate daughters under age 13 against human papillomavirus virus, even though the vaccine is recommended for girls at age 11 and 12, it's incumbent upon the healthcare community to work to improve mom's acceptance of the vaccination for younger daughters, say researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center who conducted the study. Mon, 05 May 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080504095619.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505072829.htm Parents of children with autism were roughly twice as likely to have been hospitalized for a mental disorder, such as schizophrenia, than parents of other children, according to a new analysis. The association was present regardless of the timing of the parent's diagnosis relative to the child's diagnosis. Mon, 05 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505072829.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080502110340.htm Progress being made by European researchers on automatic speech-to-speech translation technology could help the EU tackle one of the biggest remaining boundaries to internal trade, mobility and the free exchange of information -- language. With 23 official languages, European institutions spend more than a billion euros a year translating documents and interpreting speeches. Companies trading across the EU's internal borders spend millions more just to understand their business partners. Mon, 05 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080502110340.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505162849.htm Children who had a parent who died suddenly have three times the risk of depression than those with two living parents, along with an increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder according to a new article. Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505162849.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505162838.htm Infants who are exposed to television and video in low socio-economic households tend to have limited verbal interactions with their mothers, according to a new study. Educational television may not be a solution, says new study. Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505162838.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505072824.htm At a time when over half of US children (aged 3-6) are in child care centers, and growing concern over childhood obesity has led physicians to focus on whether children are getting enough physical activity, a new study of outdoor physical activity at child care centers has identified some surprising reasons why the kids may be staying inside. Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505072824.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080504095631.htm Almost one-third of US parents have a surprisingly low-level knowledge of typical infant development and unrealistic expectations for their child's physical, social and emotional growth. The new findings suggest that such false parenting assumptions can not only impair parent-child interactions, but also rob kids of much-needed cognitive stimulation. Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080504095631.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501154219.htm For many adults over the age of 30, the former groupings of letters would seem incoherent, but for a newer generation of technologically-savvy young adults it can say a lot. Researchers found that instant messaging is a unique language form differing from Standard Written English. Fri, 02 May 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501154219.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501062808.htm Cross-sectional studies from around the world show a consistent increased risk of obesity among short sleepers in children and adults. This study showed a consistent pattern of increased odds of being a short sleeper if you are obese, both in childhood and adulthood. Fri, 02 May 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501062808.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080430105600.htm The latest edition of the Oxford English Dictionary boasts 22,000 pages of definitions. While that may seem far from succinct, new research suggests the reference manual is meticulously organized to be as concise as possible -- a format that mirrors the way our brains make sense of and categorize the countless words in our vast vocabulary. Thu, 01 May 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080430105600.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501092738.htm The 2007 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey Mental Health and Well-Being Report revealed approximately seven percent report participating in a thrill-seeking activity called the "choking game," approximately three percent reported a suicide attempt in the past year, and about one in ten students rate their mental health as poor, with females more likely to do so than males. Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501092738.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428104545.htm Psychologists have discovered that children as young as six are as adept at recognizing possible verbs and their past tenses as adults. In a new study children aged between six and nine were given sentences containing made-up verbs such as 'the duck likes to spling' and were asked to judge the acceptability of possible past tense forms. The study focused on the process the children used to come to their conclusions rather than whether their answers were right or wrong. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428104545.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428104529.htm Understanding the concept of a "living thing" is a late developmental achievement. New research proposes that the way in which "alive" and other biological concepts are named within a given language shapes their understanding and acquisition in children. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428104529.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428104539.htm Twenty to 30 years ago it was not unusual for children with serious congenital or developmental conditions to die before reaching adulthood. Thanks to research driven medical care, today thousands of these children transition to adulthood every year. With adulthood comes new challenges both to themselves and to their caregivers. Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428104539.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080425102403.htm Children with autistic spectrum disorders who underwent sensory integration therapy exhibited fewer autistic mannerisms compared to children who received standard treatments. Such mannerisms, including repetitive hand movements or actions, making noises, jumping or having highly restricted interests, often interfere with paying attention and learning. Sun, 27 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080425102403.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080425144319.htm What began as an informal presentation by a clinical linguist to a group of philosophers, has led to some surprising discoveries about the communicative language abilities of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. While they may not make appropriate use of context or common sayings, psychologists discovered speakers with ASD have a rich array of pragmatic abilities. Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080425144319.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080424210415.htm A new study of young children living in extreme poverty found that those whose mothers showed symptoms of depression had low levels of cortisol, a hormone activated during times of stress, compared with children whose mothers did not exhibit depressive symptoms. Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080424210415.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080423175535.htm Playing a video game called 'Space Race' that requires nothing more than brainpower to make rockets on a computer screen move forward is more than just fun and games. A researcher is using video games to see if the brainwaves of children with autism can be 'retrained' to improve focus and concentration. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080423175535.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080422194553.htm New research provides the first evidence that a child's sex is associated with the mother's diet. A new study shows a clear link between higher energy intake around the time of conception and the birth of sons. The findings may help explain the falling birth-rate of boys in industrialized countries. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080422194553.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080422120304.htm We all know the story of a man named Brady and the group that somehow formed a family. But if the iconic '70s sitcom about a "blended" family reflected reality, the Brady Bunch likely would have been dealing with much more than silly sibling squabbles. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080422120304.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417145752.htm A first of its kind study finds breastfeeding while taking certain seizure medications does not appear to harm a child's cognitive development. Researchers tested the cognitive development of 187 two-year-old children whose mothers were taking the epilepsy drugs lamotrigine, carbamazepine, phenytoin, or valproate. Forty-one percent of the children were breastfed. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417145752.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417142449.htm Scientists illuminate the mechanism of action of antidepressant drugs. A new study suggests that antidepressants could also be used for the treatment of amblyopia. However, to produce a functional effect, antidepressant treatment also seems to require environmental stimuli, such as rehabilitation or therapy. Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417142449.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417145749.htm Children with migraine are more likely to have sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea and lack of sleep, than children without migraine, according to research on the effects of headaches on children's sleep patterns. Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417145749.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417095928.htm Babies with an eye-alignment disorder called infantile esotropia have delays in motor development milestones, but development "catches up" after corrective surgery. Infants tested after esotropia surgery had no delays in developmental milestones. Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417095928.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417095947.htm Common hassles at work are more likely than long hours, night shifts or job insecurity to follow workers home and interfere with their sleep. Previous research has shown that lack of sleep can have serious consequences ranging from traffic accidents to health problems, chronic disease and mortality. As many as 70 million Americans suffer from some kind of chronic sleep disorder. Sat, 19 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417095947.htm