Preschool TV and media habits might have lifelong consequences—here’s what parents need to know.
The behaviours were linked to adult occupational success and earning more 50 years later.
The behaviours were linked to adult occupational success and earning more 50 years later.
Being interested in school, being a responsible student and having good reading and writing skills all predict people’s occupational success decades later.
Even 50 years after someone had left high school, these factors still predicted if people had a more prestigious job or not.
Being a good student also predicted how much money people earned 50 years later.
Dr Marion Spengler, who led the research, said:
“Educational researchers, political scientists and economists are increasingly interested in the traits and skills that parents, teachers and schools should foster in children to enhance chances of success later in life.
Our research found that specific behaviors in high school have long-lasting effects for one’s later life.”
The study used data from 346,660 U.S. high school students first collected in 1960.
In addition, 81,912 of them were followed up 11 years later and 1,952 up 50 years later.
The researchers took into account all sorts of other factors like IQ, personality traits and the family’s socioeconomic status.
Dr Spengler said:
“Student characteristics and behaviors were rewarded in high school and led to higher educational attainment, which in turn was related to greater occupational prestige and income later in life
This study highlights the possibility that certain behaviors at crucial periods could have long-term consequences for a person’s life.”
The study was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (Spengler et al., 2018).
A simple phrase could unknowingly instil lifelong social anxiety.
Find out why daughters with certain traits often receive the most attention from their parents.
Study shows kids love their pets more than their siblings.
Study shows kids love their pets more than their siblings.
Children are more satisfied with relationships with their pets than their siblings.
Children also seem to get on better with their pets than their siblings.
The research helps to underline the importance of pets for children
Mr Matt Cassells, the study’s first author, said:
”Anyone who has loved a childhood pet knows that we turn to them for companionship and disclosure, just like relationships between people.
We wanted to know how strong these relationships are with pets relative to other close family ties.
Ultimately this may enable us to understand how animals contribute to healthy child development”
The researchers surveyed 12-year-olds from 77 families.
Mr Cassells continued:
‘‘Even though pets may not fully understand or respond verbally, the level of disclosure to pets was no less than to siblings.
The fact that pets cannot understand or talk back may even be a benefit as it means they are completely non-judgmental.
While previous research has often found that boys report stronger relationships with their pets than girls do, we actually found the opposite.
While boys and girls were equally satisfied with their pets, girls reported more disclosure, companionship, and conflict with their pet than did boys, perhaps indicating that girls may interact with their pets in more nuanced ways.’’
Dr Nancy Gee, a study co-author, said:
“Evidence continues to grow showing that pets have positive benefits on human health and community cohesion.
The social support that adolescents receive from pets may well support psychological well-being later in life but there is still more to learn about the long term impact of pets on children’s development.”
The study was published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology (Cassells et al., 2017).
Around one-third of children around the world suffer this type of abuse.
Childhood poverty rewires the hippocampus and amygdala—key emotional hubs.
Missing out these simple parenting behaviours increases suicide risk in adolescents.
Missing out these simple parenting behaviours increases suicide risk in adolescents.
Children who are not shown by their parents that they care are significantly more likely to contemplate suicide.
The study’s authors identified three behaviours which, when lacking, were linked to suicidal thoughts in adolescence:
Adolescents who were rarely or never told by their parents they were proud of them were five times more likely to have suicidal thoughts.
They were also seven times more likely to have a suicide plan and to attempt it.
Adolescents who were never or rarely told they had done a good job or rarely helped with their homework were at similarly increased risk of suicide.
Professor Keith King, the study’s first author, said:
“Kids need to know that someone’s got their back, and unfortunately, many of them do not.
That’s a major problem.
Parents ask us all the time, ‘What can we do?’”
You can tell them you’re proud of them, that they did a good job, get involved with them, and help them with their homework.”
The researchers’ conclusions come from a 2012 US national study of parental behaviours and suicidal feelings among adolescents.
Professor Rebecca Vidourek, study co-author, said:
“A key is to ensure that children feel positively connected to their parents and family.”
The study was published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies (King et al., 2018).
A comprehensive look at object permanence, its development stages, practical activities to encourage it, and its long-term significance.
Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not visible.
It is a fundamental concept in cognitive development, forming the basis for a child’s understanding of the world around them.
This concept is closely associated with Jean Piaget, who introduced it as a key component of his theory of cognitive development.
The development of object permanence reflects a child’s growing ability to form mental representations of their environment.
This skill enables infants to predict outcomes and make sense of their surroundings in a more sophisticated manner.
Jean Piaget was a Swiss psychologist whose work on cognitive development remains highly influential.
According to Piaget, object permanence develops during the sensorimotor stage, which spans the first two years of life.
He observed that infants gradually progress from not understanding object permanence to actively searching for hidden objects.
These experiments laid the groundwork for further studies on how infants perceive and interact with their environment.
The development of object permanence occurs in stages, typically aligning with a child’s age and cognitive growth.
At this stage, infants do not understand that objects exist beyond their immediate perception.
If an object is removed from sight, they will not attempt to locate it.
Infants in this stage rely heavily on their senses and immediate interactions to explore their world.
Infants begin to grasp the concept but may only search for partially visible objects.
For example, they might reach for a toy that is partially covered but lose interest if it is completely hidden.
This stage marks the beginning of developing curiosity and problem-solving skills.
By this stage, most infants develop a complete understanding of object permanence.
They will actively search for objects, even when fully concealed.
This newfound ability also enables more complex interactions, such as anticipating where an object might reappear.
Object permanence plays a vital role in a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Understanding object permanence is a stepping stone for developing social awareness and empathy.
Parents and caregivers can encourage the development of object permanence through interactive play and everyday activities.
Playing peekaboo is one of the simplest and most effective ways to teach object permanence.
The act of hiding and revealing your face demonstrates the concept in an engaging manner.
Children find this game entertaining, which encourages repeated practice and reinforcement.
Hide a toy under a blanket or behind an object and encourage your child to find it.
This activity helps reinforce the idea that objects exist even when hidden.
Adding slight variations, such as moving the toy between hiding spots, can make the game more challenging and stimulating.
Incorporate object permanence into daily routines, such as covering a spoon during feeding or hiding socks during dressing.
These moments offer natural opportunities to reinforce the concept without requiring specialised toys or activities.
Not all children develop object permanence at the same rate, and delays can occur for various reasons.
If a child shows no signs of understanding object permanence beyond 12 months, it may be helpful to consult a paediatrician or child psychologist.
Early intervention can provide strategies to support development and address underlying challenges.
While object permanence is primarily associated with infants, its principles have broader implications.
In some cases, difficulties with object permanence can persist into adulthood, particularly in individuals with certain neurological conditions.
Understanding these challenges can help develop strategies for support.
For example, creating consistent routines and visual cues can alleviate potential difficulties related to object permanence.
Ongoing research continues to explore object permanence, uncovering new insights and refining existing theories.
Modern technologies, such as eye-tracking devices, provide more precise ways to study object permanence in infants.
These tools allow researchers to identify subtle indicators of understanding, even before infants can physically demonstrate it.
Some researchers challenge Piaget’s timeline, suggesting that object permanence may develop earlier than previously thought.
These findings prompt a re-evaluation of traditional milestones and highlight the variability in cognitive development.
New theories also explore how cultural and environmental factors influence the development of object permanence.
Object permanence is a cornerstone of cognitive development, shaping how children understand and interact with their environment.
Through games, observations, and research, we can continue to unlock its complexities and support healthy development in children.
By fostering this essential skill, caregivers can lay the groundwork for a lifetime of learning and exploration.
As research evolves, our understanding of object permanence will undoubtedly expand, offering new opportunities to nurture cognitive growth at every stage of life.
Discover the types of play and their role in child development. Learn how different play activities foster social, physical, and cognitive skills.
Play is a vital component of a child’s development, offering numerous benefits for physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth.
Play is not merely a pastime for children; it is a crucial element of their growth and learning.
Through play, children explore the world, develop essential skills, and build relationships.
Understanding the types of play can help parents, teachers, and caregivers support children’s development more effectively.
Play also provides children with opportunities to express themselves, solve problems, and build resilience.
It lays the groundwork for lifelong skills, making it an integral part of education and personal growth.
The stages of play development were first identified by sociologist Mildred Parten in the early 20th century.
These stages provide insight into how children interact with others as they grow.
Unoccupied play is the earliest form of play, observed in infants from birth to three months.
During this stage, babies make random movements and explore their surroundings without a specific purpose.
This seemingly aimless behaviour is the foundation of play and learning.
It allows infants to discover their own movements and start to understand their physical environment.
Solitary play occurs between birth and two years.
Children play alone, focusing on their own activities without engaging with others.
This stage helps develop concentration, creativity, and independence.
It also allows children to explore their own interests and preferences without external influences.
Around the age of two, children begin observing others at play without directly joining in.
Onlooker play allows children to learn by watching and understanding social interactions.
This stage is important for building awareness of social norms and group dynamics.
It also gives children time to process how they might participate in similar activities in the future.
Parallel play emerges around the age of two and continues into the toddler years.
Children play alongside others but do not interact directly.
This stage is a stepping stone towards cooperative play and teaches children to share space and resources.
It also helps children become comfortable in the presence of peers without the pressure of direct interaction.
Between three and four years, children begin engaging in associative play.
They interact with others, share toys, and engage in similar activities, although their play is not fully coordinated.
Associative play helps develop social skills like sharing, taking turns, and communicating effectively.
It also fosters curiosity and the ability to collaborate with others on a basic level.
Cooperative play develops after the age of four, marking a significant milestone in social development.
Children work together towards a common goal, such as building a structure or playing a group game.
This stage teaches teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
It also helps children navigate complex social dynamics and build stronger relationships.
Beyond developmental stages, play can be categorised based on the nature of the activity.
These categories highlight the diverse ways children engage with their environment.
Understanding these categories allows caregivers to provide a variety of play experiences that support different areas of development.
Physical play involves activities that promote motor skills, coordination, and physical health.
Examples include running, climbing, and playing sports.
This type of play helps children develop strength, balance, and fitness.
It also encourages healthy habits and provides an outlet for energy and stress.
Constructive play focuses on creating or building something, such as assembling blocks or crafting.
It fosters problem-solving skills, creativity, and fine motor development.
This type of play also promotes perseverance and the ability to plan and execute tasks.
Pretend play, also known as dramatic play, involves role-playing and imagination.
Children might pretend to be doctors, teachers, or superheroes.
This form of play supports emotional expression, creativity, and social understanding.
It also helps children explore different perspectives and practice empathy.
Symbolic play allows children to use objects or actions to represent something else.
For example, a stick might become a sword or a wand.
This type of play enhances cognitive flexibility and abstract thinking.
It also encourages innovation and the ability to think outside the box.
Social play occurs when children interact directly with others.
It includes activities like playing tag, board games, or participating in group sports.
Social play strengthens communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution skills.
It also builds a sense of community and belonging among peers.
Games with rules introduce children to structured play where they follow established guidelines.
Examples include card games, sports, or video games.
This type of play teaches discipline, patience, and strategic thinking.
It also helps children understand fairness and the importance of following rules.
Some types of play do not fit neatly into developmental stages or activity-based categories but are equally significant.
These forms of play offer unique opportunities for growth and exploration.
Rough-and-tumble play includes activities like wrestling, chasing, or playful fighting.
It helps children develop physical strength, coordination, and an understanding of boundaries.
This type of play also fosters trust and camaraderie among peers.
It is particularly important for building resilience and managing emotions.
Exploratory play involves investigating new objects or environments.
It encourages curiosity, sensory development, and problem-solving skills.
This type of play is essential for learning about the world and developing a sense of wonder.
It also promotes adaptability and confidence in unfamiliar situations.
Role play involves taking on specific roles, often in group settings.
It supports social interaction, empathy, and understanding of societal norms.
Role play helps children practice leadership and collaborative decision-making.
It also allows them to experiment with different identities and scenarios.
Creative play includes activities like drawing, painting, or storytelling.
It nurtures imagination, emotional expression, and artistic skills.
This type of play also fosters innovation and a love for self-expression.
It can be particularly therapeutic, allowing children to process emotions and experiences.
Communication play focuses on language and verbal interactions.
It includes jokes, storytelling, and word games, enhancing language development and social skills.
This type of play also builds confidence in public speaking and expressing ideas.
It helps children develop a richer vocabulary and better articulation.
Play is essential for holistic development, influencing various aspects of a child’s growth.
Cognitive benefits: Play stimulates brain development, improving memory, problem-solving, and creativity.
Social and emotional growth: Through play, children learn to express emotions, develop empathy, and build relationships.
Physical development: Active play promotes motor skills, coordination, and overall health.
Language acquisition: Communication play enhances vocabulary, grammar, and storytelling abilities.
Play also provides a safe environment for children to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them.
It lays a strong foundation for lifelong learning and adaptability in an ever-changing world.
Play is a multifaceted and indispensable part of childhood, contributing to every aspect of development.
By understanding the various types of play, parents, educators, and caregivers can foster an environment that supports learning, growth, and joy.
Encouraging diverse forms of play helps children reach their full potential and prepares them for a well-rounded future.
Play is not just about fun; it is a powerful tool for building skills, resilience, and connections that last a lifetime.
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