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Thinking About Kids

Parents, kids, and the way we live together

Sleep
My Baby Sleeps a Lot. Why Am I So Tired?

Nancy Darling Ph.D. on April 6, 2024

Infants and their parents have curiously mismatched sleep cycles. Although babies sleep twice as much as their parents, it is bundled into short snatches an hour or two at a time.

Infants and their parents have curiously mismatched sleep cycles. Although babies sleep twice as much as their parents, it is bundled into short snatches an hour or two at a time.

Therapy
The Joy of Dogs in Unexpected Places

Nancy Darling Ph.D. on June 30, 2023

We pass dogs on the street all the time, usually with barely a glance. What makes them special in a hospital, school, or workplace?

We pass dogs on the street all the time, usually with barely a glance. What makes them special in a hospital, school, or workplace?

Teamwork
Effective Classroom Control: It Works In Families, Too

Nancy Darling Ph.D. on April 21, 2023

Watching teachers keep excited first graders calm and on task reminded me of how important it is to communicate clear expectations to children and to reward good behavior.

Watching teachers keep excited first graders calm and on task reminded me of how important it is to communicate clear expectations to children and to reward good behavior.

Media
Social Media: 'Everything You Do Is Wrong'

Nancy Darling Ph.D. on December 18, 2022

The more a social media headline defies common sense, raises our anxiety, and applies to us, the more likely we are to click it.

The more a social media headline defies common sense, raises our anxiety, and applies to us, the more likely we are to click it.

Sleep
Helping Teens Sleep Better

Nancy Darling Ph.D. on December 16, 2022

Adolescents grow as fast as toddlers and need more sleep than adults. Parents can help them make good decisions and get the 7-10 hours they need.

Adolescents grow as fast as toddlers and need more sleep than adults. Parents can help them make good decisions and get the 7-10 hours they need.

Parenting
How to Help Children Follow Rules

Nancy Darling Ph.D. on October 25, 2022

A century of research shows that parents who are warm, demanding, and non-coercive, and who enforce clear, legitimate rules raise happy, successful kids.

A century of research shows that parents who are warm, demanding, and non-coercive, and who enforce clear, legitimate rules raise happy, successful kids.

Attachment
Why Your Dog Likes to Flirt with Other People

Nancy Darling Ph.D. on June 22, 2022

The Strange Situation protocol measures how toddlers use important others to regulate their emotions. It applies to puppies and kittens, too.

The Strange Situation protocol measures how toddlers use important others to regulate their emotions. It applies to puppies and kittens, too.

Stress
Teaching Kids to Tidy Up

Nancy Darling Ph.D. on May 8, 2022

Teaching kids to tidy up for a few minutes each day can create lifelong skills, reduce stress, and build on itself so it gets easier to do over time.

Teaching kids to tidy up for a few minutes each day can create lifelong skills, reduce stress, and build on itself so it gets easier to do over time.