© 2023 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved #author-byline-block_5cf1c9be599a53be0c168ff7a9a8c531 .author-byline-text{ font-size: 16px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); } Electronic media devices are useful for communication, education, and entertainment. For many parents, they are also tools for keeping the peace — a quick and reliable way to calm down a child who...
© 2018 GWEN DEWAR, PH.D., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Positive parenting lowers a child’s risk of behavioral and emotional problems, and it helps protect kids against the effects of toxic stress. But what, exactly, is positive parenting, and how should parents get started? Positive parenting means slightly different things to different...
© 2010 – 2022 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved #author-byline-block_5b8555d478ee52fd43a0c7b6ae4cc520 .author-byline-text{ font-size: 16px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); } Permissive parenting seems to be the “no discipline” approach to discipline. Does it damage kids? Threaten to destroy civilization? The research suggests that permissiveness isn’t the best approach to parenting —...
© 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved As disciplinary tactics go, spanking is ineffective, and it may be harmful, too. A new study suggests that spanking alters the brain, making kids more reactive to potential threats, and more at risk for developing behavior problems. Over the years, I’ve followed...
© 2021 Gwen Dewar, all rights reserved What’s the connection between video games and attention? Do video games cause attention problems? Or do they help children focus? It seems that both are true. Certain “action” video games can enhance a variety of visual attention skills, and they may even help...
© 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved The difficulty of identifying ADHD in children Diagnosing ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is intrinsically problematic. The symptoms—distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity—are consistent with the normal behavior of young children. So when kids are diagnosed, the implication is that they are more distractible,...
© 2018 – 2021 GWEN DEWAR, PH.D., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Is childhood rebellion inevitable? Not really. Most kids are ready to be cooperative. But they recognize limits to our power: They resist when they perceive us as trying to control their personal lives. So what’s the solution? Be fair-minded. Listen...
© 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Experts recommend that kids get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise each day. Why? Such activities are crucial for cardiovascular health. But exercise for children is important for other reasons too. It appears to stimulate brain growth. It helps kids focus,...
