Relationships and Society

When someone opens up and asks what you think, it’s tempting to jump in with an opinion. Maybe you’ve been through something similar or think you see the big picture more clearly. However, research suggests that offering your opinion might not be as useful as you think. Instead of giving advice, a better approach is … Read more

When parents think about sports for kids, baseball, football, and basketball are usually top of mind. However, another sport builds strength, balance, confidence, and independence, and it doesn’t get nearly enough attention in the US. That sport is skiing. It’s often seen as a vacation activity or something reserved for kids who live near the … Read more

Board games are a classic choice for fun and learning, but when it comes to helping kids strengthen short-term memory and sharpen attention, there’s another option that’s even simpler and doesn’t require any setup or pieces. This game is suitable for classrooms, homes, and playgrounds, and most children already know how to play it. It’s … Read more

Parents often focus on math, reading, and now coding as the areas that reflect academic success. However, there’s another skill that research shows can give kids cognitive advantages, and most US schools still don’t teach it. It’s chess. Despite being one of the oldest strategy games in the world, it’s rarely part of the curriculum, … Read more

There’s one phrase emotionally intelligent parents rarely say to their gifted kids, and it’s not because they’re overly permissive or trying to raise a genius. It’s because they understand how language can shape a child’s self-perception. Here, we’ll break down the phrase “Don’t get like that, it’s not a big deal” and why it can … Read more

Most of us have dealt with it at one point or another: you’re trying to speak, and someone cuts in again. It happens in meetings, at dinner tables, and during casual chats. One or two interruptions can be shrugged off. But when someone does it repeatedly, it’s not just annoying, it signals something deeper. According … Read more

According to child psychologists, certain types of play can help kids become better thinkers, better communicators, and more socially aware. And no, we’re not talking about screen time or academic apps. A great way to support a child’s brain development is through board games. Experts like Dr. Laura Markham and Claire Lerner highlight that games … Read more

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting, but some styles consistently lead to better outcomes for the little ones. New research points to a specific approach that helps children grow into confident, emotionally stable, and resilient adults. After studying over 200 families, parenting expert Reem Raouda found that “emotionally safe parenting” delivers long-term benefits that go … Read more

Saying “no” is a big deal for many people. Whether it’s a coworker asking for a favor, a friend who wants your time, or a family member pushing your limits, turning someone down often feels awkward. That’s usually not because we don’t know what we want, but because we’re trying to avoid guilt, conflict, or … Read more

Parents and traditional education typically emphasize languages, science, or sports for their kids’ development. However, child psychologists and educational researchers highlight a distinctive foundational skill with multiple benefits: playing a musical instrument. Engaging in musical training can shape young minds for success in diverse fields such as the arts, STEM, and even social sciences. In … Read more

We often concentrate intensely on science and math for our children. But there’s another discipline, often relegated to the background of the US educational system, that can cultivate sharper minds: theater. By integrating the performing arts, drama, improvisation, and creative expression, it enriches cognitive and emotional development in a unique way. Theater education serves as … Read more

That idyllic scene of grandparents doting on their grandkids often masks a more complex reality. Many seniors over 65 feel hesitant about full-time childcare, not because they love their families any less, but because the constant demands can trigger physical fatigue, emotional burnout, and conflict within the family. Here, we’ll explore the reality of “grandparent … Read more

Alongside geometry, chemistry, computer science, and arts lies another discipline quietly forging the executive functions children need most: civic and ethical values education. Far from rote memorization, it combines social studies, moral philosophy, and community engagement to cultivate thoughtful individuals and active citizens. And despite its impact, it often slips off US school agendas. In … Read more

We have all experienced those awkward exchanges where conversation feels off. When a person continually brings up particular subjects, it often indicates difficulty in forming genuine human connections. These recurring patterns can be indicators of underdeveloped interpersonal abilities. Let’s examine four common conversation habits linked to weaker social skills. We’ll review why these patterns arise … Read more

You might be surprised to discover that one of the simplest methods for nurturing your child’s logical thinking does not depend on flashy apps or intricate puzzles: it invites engagement with mazes. In the following sections, we’ll examine how mazes can enhance reasoning skills in children aged 5 and above. We’ll explore how these engaging … Read more

Intelligence is often associated with reading or math levels, but research shows that artistic expression can nurture young minds and lay the groundwork for lifelong learning. This subject is rooted in creative expression—an activity that goes beyond strict rules and encourages children to explore, experiment, and get delightfully messy. Here, we’ll focus on how art—drawing, … Read more

Parents in the US frequently prioritize structured academic programs for their children, sometimes overlooking an extraordinary catalyst for mental acuity that involves creative expression, theatrical improvisation, imaginative play, and literary exploration. Although disciplines such as math and science receive considerable recognition, the rich mental exercise children gain from conceiving and performing stories is often undervalued. … Read more

Most people assume that older adults facing loneliness would opt for living with their family, but research reveals another priority. A sociological investigation has shown that those over 65 consistently select living alone, prioritizing personal space and self-reliance over the dynamics of shared households. This decision is deeply rooted in the desire for privacy and … Read more

Intelligence might usually be presented as students immersed in textbooks or studying with flashcards. However, this image is missing an essential ingredient: play. In fact, a distinctive form of play can be profoundly influential in cultivating young minds. Professionals in child development, educators, and psychologists agree that unstructured games serve as a great asset in … Read more

That intense feeling you experience—could it be mistaken for genuine love? Many couples confuse fleeting passion with a profound connection. In the realm of relationship psychology, psychiatrist Enrique Rojas explains that authentic love is more complex than mere strong feelings. Rojas, a leading expert on relationships and emotional well-being, has identified three fundamental markers of … Read more

The feeling that they have become an encumbrance in the lives of their adult children, especially when cohabiting, is a quiet worry among many seniors. This perception goes beyond the need for physical assistance. Research in psychology reveals that it’s rooted in shifts in identity, relationships, and a diminished sense of self-worth during later life. … Read more

Often overshadowed by the relentless academic pressures in US schools, physical training offers remarkable benefits for children. This dynamic activity not only enhances body strength and flexibility but also fortifies critical neurological skills such as executive function and sensorimotor integration. Here, we’ll explore how physical training sharpens essential thinking abilities in children aged 5 to … Read more

For children’s education, we often concentrate on core subjects such as math or sports, but there’s another field that provides remarkable cognitive benefits. It’s computer science, a discipline that teaches how technology operates through coding, programming, robotics, software engineering, interactive media, and digital design. Here, we’ll explore how early exposure to computers, programming, robotics, and … Read more

Developing focus in toddlers can often be challenging. There is activity that is both simple and suited to their stage of cognitive, sensory, and motor development. We’re referring to games of visual association, where toddlers learn by connecting various pictures, shapes, or objects through an understanding of their relationships. In the following sections, we’ll explore why … Read more

Schools and official education in the US frequently emphasize STEM subjects for intellectual advancement, especially math and physics. However, there’s another course that excels in sharpening young minds and propels cognitive development in unexpected ways: foreign language learning. The advantages extend beyond the ability to speak more than one language. Educators and researchers agree that … Read more

Besides coding bootcamps, advanced language tutors, and even sports for children, there is a discipline, deeply rooted in intellectual tradition and proven to refine young minds, that seldom receives classroom time in the US: philosophy. This is not about relying on dusty textbooks or memorizing outdated theories, but about harnessing kids’ natural drive to question … Read more

Formal education typically focuses on reading, writing, and math in early education, but there is a skill or development area that nurtures young intellects: debate, a practice that combines structured argument, rhetoric, and discourse. This often-neglected activity offers children an extraordinary opportunity to enhance analytical reasoning, public speaking, and persuasive skills. Debate for children is not about heated … Read more

Deciding when to provide your child with their first smartphone can seem quite challenging. If you say “no”, they might feel socially isolated. If you say “yes”, you’re allowing a device that could potentially expose them to cyberbullying, scams, distractions, and even screen addiction. According to psychologist Andrea Vizcaíno Cuenca, the answer isn’t imposing rigid … Read more

We often assume that the connection between grandparents and grandkids is forged through homemade cookies, birthday checks, or thoughtful presents. However,  truly meaningful bonds emerge from subtle, consistent habits that make children feel seen, secure, and deeply valued. Here, we’ll explore six practices that grandparents employ to nurture lifelong connections with their grandkids. These emphasize … Read more

Instead of a thriving urban center, like New York or Miami, the metro area with the highest percentage of 25 to 34-year-olds residing at home is Vallejo, California. According to the trends reported by the Pew Research Center, nearly one-third of its young adults continue to live in a parent’s household—a figure that more than … Read more