Teenage romance is more than a fleeting distraction: research suggests first love can shape attachment, emotional resilience and later relationships. First love often arrives during adolescence, when emotions run high and identity is still taking shape. What may begin as…
A New York psychologist says children are accessing online betting through adults’ devices and accounts, while constant exposure to gambling promotion is normalising risky behaviour. A New York psychologist has warned that gambling addiction is increasingly affecting children and young…
Parents can help teenagers quit vaping by combining firm boundaries with an open conversation about peer pressure, stress, cravings and the support they need. Finding a vape in a teenager’s bag can set off a scramble of panic, anger and…
Research on 557 Chinese secondary pupils found strong links between attachment, empathy, gratitude and helping, but little evidence that they unfold as a step-by-step process within individuals over time. A new study of Chinese junior secondary students suggests that the…
A trauma-informed model explains how children can move from vigilance to aggression when ordinary moments feel dangerously threatening , and why recovery is possible but rarely straightforward. Robyn Gobbel’s “watch dog brain” model offers a useful way to understand why…
Job loss, illness, separation and moves can surface in children’s behaviour long before they can explain their distress. Honest conversations, predictable routines and practical support can help them feel secure. Family hardships can unsettle children long before they can explain…
A new policy brief says recreational device use is linked to poorer performance for pupils and their classmates, while warning that schools should act before research on the best restrictions is complete. A new policy brief argues that non-academic smartphone…
Decades of research found that biology shapes a child’s sensitivity to unfamiliar situations, but gradual support and experience can help turn early caution into confidence. Jerome Kagan’s long-running work at Harvard changed how psychologists think about shy children. Speaking in…
A meta-analysis of 20 studies suggests structured forgiveness programmes can help children and adolescents become more forgiving and reduce anger beyond individual conflicts. Scientific evidence is beginning to support forgiveness education, with researchers finding that structured programmes can help children…
Research and expert guidance suggest that structured, adaptable activities can improve motor skills and confidence for autistic children, but inclusive coaching and sensory-aware environments are crucial. For many parents, the question is not whether a child with autism can take…
A Concordia-led study links low household organisation in childhood to heightened stress-hormone responses and greater depression and anxiety symptoms in early adulthood. A long-running household pattern may shape mental health risk well into early adulthood for the children of parents…
Brainwave findings suggest children with ADHD symptoms may respond more strongly to unexpected sounds in preschool, but less strongly in later childhood. Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder may hear the world differently at different stages of development, according to a study…
