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Why the Wild Things Are

Animals and nature in the lives of children.

Bullying
Political Bullies and Your Child

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on March 18, 2016

In the current political race for president, a leading candidate peppers his speech with insults, put-downs and "potty" words. What's the impact on our kids? What's a parent to do?

In the current political race for president, a leading candidate peppers his speech with insults, put-downs and "potty" words. What's the impact on our kids? What's a parent to do?

Mindfulness
Raising Compassionate Kids

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on February 26, 2016

What to reduce stress and find inner peace? What's the nitty-gritty on mindfulness when it comes to parenting young children? Recent research yields useful tips.

What to reduce stress and find inner peace? What's the nitty-gritty on mindfulness when it comes to parenting young children? Recent research yields useful tips.

Environment
This Is Your Child on Climate Change

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on December 14, 2015

The Paris Climate Change talks have just concluded. It's a good time to consider how our children are grappling with what may be the greatest challenge of their future.

The Paris Climate Change talks have just concluded. It's a good time to consider how our children are grappling with what may be the greatest challenge of their future.

Stress
Rx: Take One Dog as Needed

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on October 12, 2015

One of the most exciting areas where the "healing dog" is making a difference is for pediatric patients. Here's a look at the latest findings from research on animal-assisted therapies and activities with dogs in hospitals.

One of the most exciting areas where the "healing dog" is making a difference is for pediatric patients. Here's a look at the latest findings from research on animal-assisted therapies and activities with dogs in hospitals.

Environment
The Nature Imperative

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on September 8, 2015

Children as they grow are developing a moral code that expresses concern about and commitment to conservation, habitat protection, and animal welfare. We can learn a lot from children's thinking about nature and the environment.

Children as they grow are developing a moral code that expresses concern about and commitment to conservation, habitat protection, and animal welfare. We can learn a lot from children's thinking about nature and the environment.

Internet Addiction
Screening Out Screen Time

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on July 15, 2015

We've become addicted to our screens, obsessively checking email, chomping at the Twitter feed, and buried in Facebook. The disquiet many of us feel turns to downright worry when we see our children growing up screen-saturated. Research suggests this may have serious consequences for development.

We've become addicted to our screens, obsessively checking email, chomping at the Twitter feed, and buried in Facebook. The disquiet many of us feel turns to downright worry when we see our children growing up screen-saturated. Research suggests this may have serious consequences for development.

Environment
What Do Children Know About Climate Change?

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on May 26, 2015

Children are the future stewards of our fragile ecosystem. What does research tell us about what children know and feel about environmental threats, such as climate change? What are the best ways to educate and engage children on these issues?

Children are the future stewards of our fragile ecosystem. What does research tell us about what children know and feel about environmental threats, such as climate change? What are the best ways to educate and engage children on these issues?

Education
Recess Is Endangered

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on March 9, 2015

High stakes testing, fear of litigation, budget crunches, and just plain ignorance are reducing and even eliminating recess for children. Yet a wealth of research establishes the benefits of recess for academic achievement, physical development, healthy weight, and social competence. It's time to make sure recess is an educational right for all children.

High stakes testing, fear of litigation, budget crunches, and just plain ignorance are reducing and even eliminating recess for children. Yet a wealth of research establishes the benefits of recess for academic achievement, physical development, healthy weight, and social competence. It's time to make sure recess is an educational right for all children.

Play
Greening the Playground

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on January 9, 2015

Greening play spaces is about far more than prettifying school grounds or parks. There's a direct payoff in enriching children's physical, emotional, and even cognitive development. Recent research documents how naturalized play spaces, with logs, stumps, boulders and water, gets kids moving, sharpens motor skills, builds empathy, and enhances appreciation of nature.

Greening play spaces is about far more than prettifying school grounds or parks. There's a direct payoff in enriching children's physical, emotional, and even cognitive development. Recent research documents how naturalized play spaces, with logs, stumps, boulders and water, gets kids moving, sharpens motor skills, builds empathy, and enhances appreciation of nature.

Imagination
Into the Virtual Wild

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on November 18, 2014

Lions, rhinos, giraffes--all the big mammals of the African savanna mesmerize the imagination, even as humans drive them into extinction. But technology might help children connect virtually, while teaching about animal conservation and habitat protection. A "wild animal app" tries to do just that.

Lions, rhinos, giraffes--all the big mammals of the African savanna mesmerize the imagination, even as humans drive them into extinction. But technology might help children connect virtually, while teaching about animal conservation and habitat protection. A "wild animal app" tries to do just that.

Relationships
Why Kids Love Low Tide

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on August 11, 2014

Low tide, when the waters of the ocean recede, to reveal sandbars, tide pools,and sea creatures, is the kind of adult-free zone that children need. It's an example of a natural place where children can set the rules, or have no rules, run free and get stopped in their tracks by some weird and wonderful new experience.

Low tide, when the waters of the ocean recede, to reveal sandbars, tide pools,and sea creatures, is the kind of adult-free zone that children need. It's an example of a natural place where children can set the rules, or have no rules, run free and get stopped in their tracks by some weird and wonderful new experience.

Cognition
What's In That Bird Brain?

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on June 16, 2014

Theory of Mind is the ability to understand the unseen, internal states of mind that underlie behavior. Could animals–those dogs, cats, birds or hamsters that share our homes–help children develop Theory of Mind?

Theory of Mind is the ability to understand the unseen, internal states of mind that underlie behavior. Could animals–those dogs, cats, birds or hamsters that share our homes–help children develop Theory of Mind?

Stress
A Natural Remedy for Caregiver Stress

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on March 27, 2014

Contact with nature helps everyone, but research shows that it can be especially helpful in reducing stress. Caregiver burnout is a well known challenge for family members who care for those with Alzheimers, severe disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. Along with respite care and support services, caregivers might benefit from a dose of green.

Contact with nature helps everyone, but research shows that it can be especially helpful in reducing stress. Caregiver burnout is a well known challenge for family members who care for those with Alzheimers, severe disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. Along with respite care and support services, caregivers might benefit from a dose of green.

Parent job loss can lead to family conflict
Education
Parents Lose Jobs, and Children Suffer

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on January 22, 2014

Losing a job not only means a sharp drop in income for a family. Children pay a severe price for the hard economic times their parents endure. Research on how parental job loss impacts children documents a wide range of negative effects, many of which persist well into adulthood.

Losing a job not only means a sharp drop in income for a family. Children pay a severe price for the hard economic times their parents endure. Research on how parental job loss impacts children documents a wide range of negative effects, many of which persist well into adulthood.

Stress
Take a Walk on the Wild Side

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on December 11, 2013

There is a proven de-stressor that is free, available to most everyone and uncomplicated. Brought to you by Mother Nature, it's as simple as a walk in the woods, an hour in a city park, or a tramp through the snow. Research confirms that nature heals and calms. It can be beautiful too.

There is a proven de-stressor that is free, available to most everyone and uncomplicated. Brought to you by Mother Nature, it's as simple as a walk in the woods, an hour in a city park, or a tramp through the snow. Research confirms that nature heals and calms. It can be beautiful too.

Education
Going to the Dogs

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on November 1, 2013

Reading to dogs programs seem to be everywhere in libraries and schools. The idea behind them is simple: kids will enjoy reading more, and struggling readers will make more progress when they read to a friendly and attentive canine. The theory is that a friendly dog is calming, non-threatening, and by its simple presence, rewarding. What's the science behind these programs

Reading to dogs programs seem to be everywhere in libraries and schools. The idea behind them is simple: kids will enjoy reading more, and struggling readers will make more progress when they read to a friendly and attentive canine. The theory is that a friendly dog is calming, non-threatening, and by its simple presence, rewarding. What's the science behind these programs

Environment
Green Healing

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on August 31, 2013

Green Chimneys Children's Services is a national and world-wide model for a residential therapeutic milieu based on engagement with nature and animals. Take a peek inside as Green Chimneys treats children with severe educational and emotional challenges.

Green Chimneys Children's Services is a national and world-wide model for a residential therapeutic milieu based on engagement with nature and animals. Take a peek inside as Green Chimneys treats children with severe educational and emotional challenges.

Friends
Worrying about Social Robots

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on July 28, 2013

Whether called “social,” “companion,” or “caretaker” robots, machines designed to fool us into accepting them as friends and helpers are off the drawing board and moving into our homes, schools, and hospitals. What’s not to like? Plenty.

Whether called “social,” “companion,” or “caretaker” robots, machines designed to fool us into accepting them as friends and helpers are off the drawing board and moving into our homes, schools, and hospitals. What’s not to like? Plenty.

Animal Behavior
Have a Heart

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on May 23, 2013

Many pet owners insist that their dog, cat—even fish or snake—are just what the doctor ordered. When animal-loving humans feel down, stressed out or out of sorts, their treatment of choice often is snuggling with Fluffy or romping with Fido. Now, the American Heart Association has given its seal of approval. Pets, especially dogs, are heart healthy.

Many pet owners insist that their dog, cat—even fish or snake—are just what the doctor ordered. When animal-loving humans feel down, stressed out or out of sorts, their treatment of choice often is snuggling with Fluffy or romping with Fido. Now, the American Heart Association has given its seal of approval. Pets, especially dogs, are heart healthy.

Environment
Nature Nurture

Gail F. Melson Ph.D. on April 11, 2013

Earth Day is rolling around again. Sadly, our children will inherit the clogged, dirty and warming planet we are leaving them. But children also are our last, best hope, the future stewards of our environment. We can act now to nurture in children a caring commitment to the Earth's welfare. Here's what research says about the importance of contact with nature for children.

Earth Day is rolling around again. Sadly, our children will inherit the clogged, dirty and warming planet we are leaving them. But children also are our last, best hope, the future stewards of our environment. We can act now to nurture in children a caring commitment to the Earth's welfare. Here's what research says about the importance of contact with nature for children.