Masks Work
Questions remain about the soon to be released COVID vaccine for the under age five crowd. In the meantime, parents can take comfort from knowing one thing: masks work.
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Masked Delay?
We know that babies watch adults’ mouths to learn language skills. So, does that mean that all the babies learning to talk during COVID will be harmed in some way because many adults around them spent so much time wearing masks? Experts at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association say no, probably not.
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Do masks for young children impede their language development? (The Washington Post)
Vaccinations Still Work
Throughout the pandemic information has changed rapidly. That’s partially what has made it so hard for people to know what to and has even led to a vocal anti-vaccination minority. But now two years into COVID-19 many things remain known. Among them is that the COVID-19 vaccination is safe for expectant mothers.
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Pregnant mothers who get COVID-19 vaccines are also protecting their babies (Boston Children's Hospital)
ACES and Disabilities
Children who experience trauma during the first five years, have greater risk of growing up to have cancer, diabetes, or mood disorders as adults. According to new research from the CDC, children with disabilities are more likely to experience these traumatic events.
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Hey Doll, Can We Talk?
We may want to encourage politicians on Capitol Hill to start playing with dolls. Here’s why: researchers say that playing imaginary games with dolls helps children develop social skills and empathy.
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Playing with dolls helps children talk about how others feel, says study (The Guardian)
The COVID Generation
Columbia researchers say babies born during the COVID-19 pandemic’s first year have scored slightly lower on developmental screening tests compared to babies born just before the pandemic hit. What will this mean to their futures?
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Bottoms Up Baby!
It’s one of the cutest ways that babies sleep but is there a reason for it? There are several!
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11 Reasons Your Baby Sleeps on Knees With Butt in the Air (SleepBaby.org)
Why Do Babies Sleep with THeir Butt in the Air (Sleep Advisor)
Maternal Growth Mindsets
When a mother has extreme levels of stress it can have negative effects on her own health as well as on of her child. But experts say that a maternal growth mindset could mitigate the negative effects of that stress and even promote healthy brain development in infants.
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Turns Out Smarter Kids Are Made, Not Born (The Harvard Gazette)
Laughing in the Face of Holiday Stress
A little planning goes a long way to reduce the stress that comes with the holidays.
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How to Take the Stress Out of the Holidays (Child Mind Institute)
Are Americans Ready to Go Back Home for the Holidays? (Very Well Mind)
Prehistoric Kids
What if we knew more about prehistoric mothers and children? How would it have shaped who we are now? What will future generations know about today’s youngest children? What do we want them to know?
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Prehistoric Mums May Have Cared for Kids Better Than We Thought (Science Daily)