By Peter Gray Ph.D. Freedom to Learn What does research really tell us about the brain effects of video gaming? “IT’S DIGITAL HEROIN: HOW SCREENS TURN KIDS INTO PSYCHOTIC JUNKIES.” That’s the dramatic headline screaming across a New York Post article, by a Dr. Nicholas Kardaras (2016), which many readers sent to me shortly […]
By Idzie Desmarais This post was originally shared on Patreon back in October. I can’t emphasize enough how big a difference my monthly Patreon income, small as it might be, makes in my life. Seriously, by investing $1 or more a month in me and my work you can have such an impact. […]
By Peter Gray Ph.D.Freedom to Learn Media descriptions of POTUS exemplify a toxic societal anti-child prejudice. Every day, it seems, we read of or hear journalists and politicians (of both major parties), and just plain people, referring to Donald Trump as “childish.” Here are a few of the many media headlines on this […]
four years boy playing with colorful wooden blocks With Christmas looming, many people will be considering what present to buy for their children, nieces and nephews, grandchildren and friends. Soon, if not already, we will be reading lists of the top trending presents for 2017. These lists will no doubt […]
How often do you take away your kid’s phone? RoongsaK/Shutterstock Do you take away your teenager’s phone to manage their behaviour? Maybe when they arrive home late from a party or receive a bad report card? Confiscating, time-limiting or permitting additional access to technology has become a popular parenting strategy. Surveys […]
Hiking & Camping Guides Hiking With Kids, Toddlers & Infants (Without The Tantrums) Quick Tips: Do’s & Don’ts Enjoying the great outdoors is perfectly feasible even with several small kids in tow. Hiking with small children can be a wonderful experience for both parents and child, but to ensure a […]
Children benefit from previous understanding of spoken words before reading them. Africa Studio/Shutterstock Children’s oral vocabulary – their knowledge of the sounds and meanings of words – is strongly positively associated with their reading all the way through school. Understanding this relationship is important for making children’s reading as strong […]
Those with screen time of more than four hours per day were three-and-a-half times likelier to sleep fewer than five hours at night, a probe found. (Jack Frog / shutterstock.com) You’re tired of fighting with your kids to put the iPad down during dinner or having to skulk around to […]
WE ARE ALL CONFORMISTS, WHETHER WE ADMIT IT OR NOT. IT’S PART OF OUR HUMAN NATURE. WE COULDN’T FORM AND LIVE IN HUMAN SOCIETIES IF WE WEREN’T CONFORMISTS. TO A CONSIDERABLE DEGREE, CONFORMITY IS A GOOD THING.
by Robin Grille Excerpted from Heart to Heart Parenting A child’s right to receive attention One of the most commonly heard parental laments is about how children try to get attention. So many behaviors that adults don’t like are brushed off as “merely” attention-seeking devices. “Don’t worry about him,” we say, […]