© 2019 – 2023 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved #author-byline-block_fff5c29951ef49f38e6338a61c224515 .author-byline-text{ font-size: 16px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); } Fantasy has ancient roots, but it gets a bad rap. Some worry that fantasy fiction may confuse young children. Others dismiss fantasy as silly or frivolous. Should kids steer clear of...
© 2020-2022 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved #author-byline-block_a1a5a8b1c48178a6784cf8ca467d244e .author-byline-text{ font-size: 16px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); } Are little kids hopelessly selfish? Many people assume so. But scientific research suggests otherwise. Like adults, children experience the warm glow of giving. And it’s a motivating force for good. Psychologists call it...
© 2022 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved #author-byline-block_632a60f4e95a8 .author-byline-text{ font-size: 16px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); } When young children are exposed to polluted air – including particulate matter (PM) – they don’t just suffer from respiratory problems. They are also more likely to develop chronic inflammation, and risky health...
© 2018-2022 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved #author-byline-block_6233aaae186c4 .author-byline-text{ font-size: 16px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); } Postpartum depression symptoms overlap with symptoms of the “baby blues,” the mood swings that mothers experience in the first few days after childbirth. But when symptoms persist beyond two weeks — or take a...
© 2019 – 2022 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved #author-byline-block_622fb3d6db043 .author-byline-text{ font-size: 16px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); } What are the benefits of outdoor play for a child’s development? Research tells us there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on what kids actually do when they’re outside. It also...
© 2007 – 2022 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved #author-byline-block_6233aee33a3b4 .author-byline-text{ font-size: 16px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); } What causes postpartum stress in new mothers? It’s clear that childbirth is stressful. During labor, the hormones associated with psychological stress — epinephrine and cortisol — rise by a whopping 500%...
© 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Studies link religion with health benefits, but that doesn’t mean that being religious makes us healthy. What’s more likely is that religion is one of many ways that people can find social and emotional support, and discover a sense of meaning and purpose. For...
© 2010 – 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Myths about bedwetting? There are several, and they aren’t helpful. Ever heard the claim that kids wet the bed out of laziness? Or that kids require counseling — talking therapy — in order to break the “habit?” Or how about...
© 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Egalitarian, cooperative, and fiercely-protective of their personal freedoms, hunter-gatherers are also very practical. They know that parents can’t afford to raise kids without help. So everybody pitches in — and society thrives. Family subsidies. Childcare help. Support for parents struggling to make...
© 2009 – 2021, Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved The smart consumption of iron rich foods If your child has been diagnosed with an iron deficiency, it makes sense to examine his or her diet. But boosting iron levels isn’t just a matter of eating iron-rich foods. Some foods...
© 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,...
