(Editor’s note: I am very pleased to present a new posting written by one of our third year psychiatry residents, Dr. David DeVellis. – DR) by David DeVellis, MD How often do you find yourself saying “I’d do fill in the blank if I only had more time”? Exercise, sleep, and eating well–all vital for […]
Talking with Children About the Connecticut School Shootings
All over the country people are horrified at the shootings that happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Our hearts go out to all the families affected by this tragedy. While many facts of the shooting remain to be learned, tonight millions of parents will do their best to try and talk to their children about what happened. […]
Tags: connecticut school shooting, school violence, talking to children
Genes for Responsiveness to Parenting Practices?
In classic models of psychiatric risk, particular child characteristics are seen as generally negative things that under the wrong conditions can get amplified into full-fledged psychiatric disorders. A newer model, however, holds that some of these characteristics are better understood as related to environmental sensitivity, which means that in positive environments these same traits may convey an actual developmental advantage. A […]
Tags: conduct disorder, ODD, parenting
Can Pacifiers Stunt Emotional Growth?
The debate about pacifiers as useful aides to soothe crying infants versus developmentally stunting crutches has been with us for decades. This group of researchers from the University of Wisconsin and elsewhere set out to test the possibility that pacifier use was associated with a delay in emotional development. Their hypothesis was that increased pacifier […]
Tags: emotional intelligence, infants, pacifier, parenting
Let them Cry? Pick them Up? Does it Matter?
The practice of letting infants cry it out on their own when they wake up at night versus picking them up and soothing them has been an ageless parenting dilemma, especially since sleep expert Ferber popularized his technique. While there are many strong opinions on the subject, there is surprisingly little long-term data. Approximately half […]
Tags: ferberization, infants, parenting, sleep problems
Physical Punishment Linked to Increased Long-Term Mental Health Disorders
by David Harari (Editor Note – I am very pleased to have one of our UVM medical students, David Harari, contribute this well written piece on an important topic. For those interested in learning more about corporal punishment, however, I suggest not doing an internet search on “spanking.” You were warned – DCR) While it […]
Tags: child abuse, child maltreatment, corporal punishment, spanking
Helping Parents with Preschool Choices – Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf
Parents have a number of options when it comes to daycare and preschool and can wind up anxious and confused trying to find the “right” one. Primary care clinicians may be asked to weigh in on this important decision but themselves can be unfamiliar with the different approaches now available. To help, here is a […]
Tags: montessori, parenting, reggio emilia, waldorf
Sleeping Problems in Children
Chronic sleep problems put kids at increased risk for behavioral problems, attentional difficulties and even obesity. The amount of sleep a child needs is variable and generally depends on the child’s age. The National Sleep Foundation reports that, on average, children need to following amount of sleep. Below 12 months of age: more than 14 […]
Genetic Sensitivities to Negative AND Positive Parenting
Traditional models of child emotional-behavioral problems often posit the presence of genetic “vulnerabilities” that can be realized in the presence of specific environmental triggers. A series of new studies, however, suggest that some genes may make children more sensitive to both negative and positive environments. Three separate studies that were published together examine the interaction […]