When I was in high school, I befriended a girl named Anna in the grade above me. We met in a journalism class, which was comprised of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors—an unusual dynamic for sure. We were all grateful for the opportunity to branch outside of our grades and…
A new study “Very young infants learn abstract rules in the visual modality” says that babies as young as three or four months can learn abstract rules simply by watching others and observing all that’s around them. While previous research found that babies could only do so from speech and…
Parents often worry about their kid’s behavior and performance in school—especially when they reach the teens. This is typically the time when kids fall out of their routines, and as a result, their academic success hangs in the balance. In hopes of keeping them on the right track, parents oftentimes…
Parenting Expert Julia Cook understands just how difficult parenting can be at times—especially if/when your child has a temper tantrum. She explains that a child’s increasing anger is comparable to a shaken soda: “Think of anger as bubbles inside of a two-liter bottle of pop. When the bottle is shaken,…
Raising a teen isn’t easy—I know this not because I have one, but because I remember all too well what it was like to be one. I was a relatively well-behaved teen and didn’t cause many issues for my parents… but those years were markedly more difficult than the years…
Many mothers choose to breastfeed their babies, due to its powerful health benefits. For example, the antibodies in breast milk have proven to help babies fight off harmful viruses and bacteria, which threaten to cause ear infections, allergies, and harmful respiratory illnesses. But that’s on the receiving end—what about the…
When my little brother turned 10 years old, he expressed a sudden interest in playing football. This was a shock to say the least, as my siblings and I grew up living and breathing soccer, basketball, even tennis—basically every sport but football. And the unchartered territory made us nervous. Even…
Some of my favorite memories from grade school wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for P.E. class: tackling Holiday-themed obstacle courses, learning how to play my soon-to-be favorite sport (soccer), and crab-crawling across the floor in a fit of laughter alongside friends. I had a blast in gym class and looked…
If you live in the city—or even a slightly urban area—you can probably look to the sky and point out a cloud of smog: funneling from factories or just hanging out on the rooftops. This is the most obvious and familiar form of air pollution… but it’s not the only…
It’s no secret that the teenage years are often characterized by rebellion—there is, however, an ongoing argument about how parents should properly handle this phase. Should they step in or back off? Do they need to crack down on the rules or prove their trust? What’s the most effective approach?…
It’s hard enough for us adults to understand, sort through, and communicate our feelings. Now, imagine what it must be like for a child or teenager. Or, maybe you can time travel and plop yourself right back into your childhood shoes. Did you experience anxiety as you moved from one…
Babies are funny creatures—they’re pint-sized little humans who have a limited range of abilities, from crying, to eating, to smiling and giggling on occasion. They can’t yet get from one place to another without a little assistance, they can’t spell out for us why exactly they’re upset, and they can’t…
