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A new study explores the impact of prenatal exposure to Superstorm Sandy, a post-tropical cyclone that made landfall in New York City in 2012, and extreme ambient heat, defined as at least one day greater than 95 degrees Fahrenheit, on the brain volume of the basal ganglia in school-aged children, a critical brain region that regulates our emotions and behaviors. “We were hoping to find out whether individual and/or combined exposure to these stressors defined above would lead to discernible differences in the volume of the basal ganglia,” study author Donato DeIngeniis told us. [More]

Warmth and affection from parents in early childhood can have lifelong physical and mental health benefits. Research published in JAMA Psychiatry found that children who experience greater maternal warmth at the age of three have better positive perceptions of social safety by the age of 14 which the leads to better physical and mental health outcomes at age 16. [More]

A new review looked at play and children’s health. “This was a scoping review exploring peer reviewed literature from the past 10 years in order to examine what it can tell us about the connection between play and children’s health in healthcare settings,” review author Kelsey Grabor told us. We hoped to better understand recent and relevant evidence that might demonstrate why we should utilize and support the integration of play into a more holistic view of children’s healthcare.” [More]

A new study published in the Journal of Child Development looked at predictors of young adults’ primal world beliefs in eight countries. “This study is about beliefs about the world held by young adults in eight countries,” study author Dr. Jennifer Lansford told us. “We were hoping to discover what experiences during childhood and adolescence predict beliefs about the world in early adulthood.” [More]

Teens who exercise with their parents are likely to have better physical and mental health. Research published in Health Reports found that teens who engaged in a higher amount of family physical activity reported better mental health and greater life satisfaction. [More]

Children who are exposed to paternal depression at the time they enter kindergarten are more likely to have teacher-reported behavioral issues as well as poor social skill at the age of nine. Research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that is the paternal depression remained undiagnosed or unaddressed, there can be negative behavioral and social impacts on children for years. [More]

A new study published in the Journal of Child Development looked at Indigenous perspectives on the child–caregiver bond from a northwest tribal community. “Our study is about uplifting the experiences, perspectives and knowledges regarding parenting young children that are held by members of a Northwest tribal community,” Sara F. Waters told us. “In particular, we wanted to center Indigenous knowledge of and approaches to the child-caregiver bond.” [More]

A new study published in the Journal of Child Development looked at the determinants of socioemotional and behavioral well-being among First Nations children living off-reserve in Canada. “Our study focused on positive health outcomes among young First Nations children,” study author Sawayra Owais told us. “Specifically, we examined Indigenous and non-Indigenous-specific determinants associated with positive well-being among First Nations children living off-reserve in Canada.” [More]

A new study published in the Journal of Child Development looked at mother–child collaboration in an Indigenous community. “Changes in family life related to globalization may include reduction in the collaborativeness observed in many Indigenous American communities,” study author Barbara Rogoff told us. “The present study examined longitudinal changes and continuities in collaboration in a Guatemalan Maya community experiencing rapid globalization.” [More]

Did your parents have a favorite child? Research published in the Psychological Bulletin suggests they may have and the factors contributing to favoritism may surprise you. [More]