The Baby Scientist

Parenting

Why We Should Normalize Mistakes

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on April 22, 2024

No one likes to make mistakes, but we all make them. Here's why acknowledging and celebrating our mistakes is good for us—and for our kids.

No one likes to make mistakes, but we all make them. Here's why acknowledging and celebrating our mistakes is good for us—and for our kids.

Child Development

Why Are Food Allergies Becoming So Common?

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on March 11, 2024

According to the CDC, food allergies in children have doubled—or in some cases, tripled—over the last two decades. What's going on?

According to the CDC, food allergies in children have doubled—or in some cases, tripled—over the last two decades. What's going on?

Psychopathy

Can a Toddler Be a Psychopath?

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on February 13, 2024

Here's what science says about psychopathy in adults, and predictors of psychopathy in early childhood.

Here's what science says about psychopathy in adults, and predictors of psychopathy in early childhood.

Pregnancy

Protecting Maternal Physical and Mental Health

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on January 16, 2024

January 23, 2024 will mark the 8th Annual Maternal Health Awareness Day. Here's why maternal health is so important and how we can protect it.

January 23, 2024 will mark the 8th Annual Maternal Health Awareness Day. Here's why maternal health is so important and how we can protect it.

Happiness

Why Money Can't Buy Happiness

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on December 5, 2023

If you’re looking to inject a bit more happiness into your life this winter, here's what researchers have figured out what makes us the happiest.

If you’re looking to inject a bit more happiness into your life this winter, here's what researchers have figured out what makes us the happiest.

Child Development

Has a Decline in Playtime Affected Children’s Mental Health?

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on November 6, 2023

Mental health issues in children are on the rise. A new paper suggests that a decrease in independent playtime might play a role.

Mental health issues in children are on the rise. A new paper suggests that a decrease in independent playtime might play a role.

Relationships

Inside the Human-Dog Love Affair

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on October 9, 2023

Most Americans own a pet, typically a dog. And we love those pets, so much so that losing them can be difficult. Research suggests that dogs love us too. Here's how.

Most Americans own a pet, typically a dog. And we love those pets, so much so that losing them can be difficult. Research suggests that dogs love us too. Here's how.

Sex

Gay Penguins, Geese Thruples, and Bi-Bonobos

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on September 11, 2023

For decades, people have castigated same-sex sexual behavior as unnatural. However, in the animal kingdom, same-sex sexual behavior is quite natural, and very common.

For decades, people have castigated same-sex sexual behavior as unnatural. However, in the animal kingdom, same-sex sexual behavior is quite natural, and very common.

Social Life

The Profound Power of a Simple Hello

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on August 7, 2023

Although it might sound painful to strike up a conversation with strangers on our morning walk or commute, research suggests that maybe we should try.

Although it might sound painful to strike up a conversation with strangers on our morning walk or commute, research suggests that maybe we should try.

Parenting

Why So Many LGBTQ+ Families Are Thriving

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on July 10, 2023

Adoption by same-sex couples is on the rise, and all existing evidence suggests that many families with same-sex parents are thriving. Here's how.

Adoption by same-sex couples is on the rise, and all existing evidence suggests that many families with same-sex parents are thriving. Here's how.

Memory

Why Our Musical Memories Are So Very Strong

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on June 6, 2023

For many of us, our favorite music comes from our youth. Here's what science says about why.

For many of us, our favorite music comes from our youth. Here's what science says about why.

Child Development

Why Do Children (and Animals) Play?

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on May 8, 2023

Anyone who has owned a dog or cat knows that like humans, animals play; in fact, recent research suggests that even bees play. Here's what science has to say about why.

Anyone who has owned a dog or cat knows that like humans, animals play; in fact, recent research suggests that even bees play. Here's what science has to say about why.

Cognition

How Exposure to Diversity Can Help All Children (And Adults)

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on April 4, 2023

Research suggests that diversity has benefits for everyone—whether you're part of a minority or the majority. Here's why.

Research suggests that diversity has benefits for everyone—whether you're part of a minority or the majority. Here's why.

Anxiety

The Impact of COVID-19 on Babies

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on March 6, 2023

What a recent collection of studies can tell us about COVID's impact on infants.

What a recent collection of studies can tell us about COVID's impact on infants.

Cognition

What Kids Know About Time

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on February 6, 2023

Understanding time is really hard for kids for a number of reasons. Here's why, and what it means for parents.

Understanding time is really hard for kids for a number of reasons. Here's why, and what it means for parents.

Cognition

Why You Should Reflect on Your Regrets

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on January 9, 2023

Instead of letting our regrets eat away at us, we can use them to be better.

Instead of letting our regrets eat away at us, we can use them to be better.

Attachment

Why Do Kids Seem to Behave for Everyone but Their Parents?

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on December 12, 2022

Sometimes our children can behave like angels for strangers but turn into little devils when they get home. Here's what research says about why.

Sometimes our children can behave like angels for strangers but turn into little devils when they get home. Here's what research says about why.

Heuristics

Why We Sort People Into Boxes

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on November 7, 2022

The ability to categorize allows us to store a lot of information. However, our propensity to categorize objects can be problematic when we apply it to people. Here's how.

The ability to categorize allows us to store a lot of information. However, our propensity to categorize objects can be problematic when we apply it to people. Here's how.

Fantasies

When Kids Talk About Previous Lives

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on October 10, 2022

Some researchers claim that there is evidence for reincarnation in some of the creepy things that children say, specifically in the details they claim to remember about previous lives.

Some researchers claim that there is evidence for reincarnation in some of the creepy things that children say, specifically in the details they claim to remember about previous lives.

Education

How the Pandemic Has Impacted Children’s Learning

Vanessa LoBue Ph.D. on September 12, 2022

A recent report suggests that children's test scores in reading and math have plunged since 2020, leaving parents wondering what this means for our children's academic futures.

A recent report suggests that children's test scores in reading and math have plunged since 2020, leaving parents wondering what this means for our children's academic futures.