Development

High altitude linked to developmental delays

You know that what you eat can affect your baby-to-be, but a new pregnancy warning heeds that where you live both during and post-pregnancy is tied to developmental delays too. But, before you pack up and head for sea level, discover how high altitude is linked to developmental delays.

Baby’s language skills begin at birth

You may not be able to have a conversation with your baby for a few years yet, but his communication skills begin to develop long before that.

Black and white baby toys for infant development

High-contrasting colors are best for building vision development in newborn babies. But which toys should you get and why? Here are some of my favorite black, white (and red) toys.

How young can babies begin playing?

Babies start to play a lot earlier than you may realize. Just because a baby can’t run after her sister or stack blocks doesn’t mean she isn’t capable of her own type of play. During the first 6 months of your baby’s life, the ways in which she can play change dramatically. Read on to find out some of the earliest ways they play, as well as the ages you can expect some of it to happen.

10 Ideas for summer fun with baby

There is just something about summertime that seems to invoke the kid in us all. Instead of letting that feeling pass you by, take advantage of it and engage in some creative playtime with your children this season. Here we offer some fun and simple ideas to keep your kids (and you!) entertained well through the dog days of summer.

Even babies can have optical illusions

Five-month-old Samuel doesn't seem at all worried about the large plaster covering his right eye. He gurgles contentedly and tugs inquisitively at the white curtain in front of his nose, until it is lifted up by an invisible force. Now Samuel is looking at a chessboard which is drawn in such a way that it seems to be receding into the distance away from him.

Babies use their own names to help learn language

A baby's understanding of language may begin with its own name, which a baby uses to break sentences into smaller parts so it can learn other words, according to new research by Texas A&M University psychologist Heather Bortfeld, who studies language development in infants and children.

Prolonged crying in infants a marker for later cognitive problems

Infants who cry persistently in an uncontrollable manner without any obvious cause after 12 weeks of age may be at risk for lower IQ scores and poorer fine motor skills by the time they reach five years of age, accord

Ear tubes and speech

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What to expect: Birth to 1 year

Infants spend every moment taking in the world around them. What sort of development should you expect of your baby during that first year? Here's a handy guide.

Movement and infants

Besides the fact that they were built to do so, there are a great many reasons why infants need to move. The truth is, even though their movement capabilities are extremely limited when compared with even those of a toddler, movement experiences may be more important for infants than for children of any other age group. And it's not all about motor development either.

The poetics of babytalk

Some parents may think it is undignified or detrimental, but babytalk is essential to the full development of a baby's brain, says a researcher at the University of Alberta.

Small amounts of alcohol or anesthetics may damage the developing brain

Brief exposure to small amounts of alcohol or anesthetic drugs can trigger nerve cell death in the developing brain, according to research from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

In the stars: An excerpt from The Baby's Astrologer

It is no longer just astrologers who claim that your baby's birthday is a key to her future potential, happiness, and even career. Learn more here in this excerpt from The Baby's Astrologer: Your Guide to Better Parenting Is In the Stars.

Infants can use previous observations to interpret new ones

Twelve-month-old infants can use previous observations as a basis to understand new interactions, although five-month-olds cannot, according to a Yale study.

Born shy, always shy?

Born shy, always shy? Temperamental differences may last throughout life, a brain study suggests.

'Sticky mittens' give babies a head start

Duke University psychologists have discovered that fitting infants with Velcro-covered "sticky mittens" gives them a developmental jump start in learning to explore objects.

Reading to Baby: It's never too early to give a child a book

"When will my child start to read?" It's a common question for parents of first-graders, unless little Ashley or Justin happened to master the skill in kindergarten -- or even before.

Brain development

Brain power. Brainstorming. Brain scientist. Brain food.... Many of these terms are commonly used, but do you really know the facts about that mass of electronic power on your shoulders? Brain research is unraveling many of the mysteries of the brain.

Parents of infants and trust relationships

As parents, we want to give our children many advantages. We would like to provide them with material possessions, to ensure their physical health, and to help them develop into well-adjusted adults. Starting your child on the way to becoming a healthy and happy adult starts in infancy.