According to a new study published in the journal, Developmental Science, hesitant speech may help children learn new vocabulary words.  When a toddler hears a speaker using “um” or “uh” while speaking, the hesitancy serves a cue that a new word is coming next.  While the ability to use disfluencies as learning clues seems to develop over the second year of life, researchers are still curious to learn more about out what exactly children know and understand about the “ums” and “uhs” in speech. 

http://www.livescience.com/13719-speech-stumbles-teach-toddlers.html

Talaris Institute is pleased to announce the release of Baby Feelings, a board book perfect for young children. Baby Feelings, inspired by research and beautifully photographed, focuses on how babies express emotions.

Product Update – Baby Feelings

On April 6, Talaris Institute hosted Dr. John Gottman, a world-renowned psychologist with thirty-eight years of experience researching parenting and marriage. Dr. Gottman’s talk, entitled “Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child: The Heart of Parenting,” is now available on demand at no charge at www.ParentingCounts.org/webcast/gottman.

John Gottman Press Release 4-5-11

http://www.healthychildren.org/English/News/pages/Depression-in-Dads-Affects-Parenting-Behaviors.aspx

Talaris Institute is pleased to announce a new Parenting Counts video on play designed for early childhood professionals to support their work with parents and children: Experience, Explore, Learn: The Amazing World of Play

Product Update – Experience, Explore, Learn: The Amazing World of Play

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences tracked a socioeconomically diverse group of children in New Zealand from birth to age 32.  Results found that children who scored higher on assessments of self-control as toddlers were more likely to be successful as adults, in terms of indicators such as health and financial security. 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704279704576102164041456434.html

 A recent study conducted by the Internet Security Company AVG found that 52% of children ages two to five years old are able to operate a smart phone or tablet computer, while only 20% could swim and only 11% could tie their own shoes.  The article briefly summarizes the series of studies that examine how young children’s interaction with technology is evolving.

http://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/434010_kids24.html

For a paper in Psychological Science, researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Virginia looked at 750 pairs of American twins who were given a test of mental ability at the age of 10 months and then again at the age of 2.  The studies found that generally, in measuring many traits from intelligence to self-control, factors such as genes and peer groups are far more influential than the home environment. 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703954004576090020541379588.html

A new study conducted by researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health examines the impact of intensive early education programs on the health and health behaviors of low-income children.  

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110114155340.htm

Early childhood experts such as Roberta Golinkoff, Kathy Hirsh Pasek, and Joan Almon discuss the importance of play in childhood, and the potential harm less time for play may have on healthy development.  The article includes way that parents and the society at large can help foster free play and playful experiences.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/06/garden/06play.html?_r=2

A recent study, which appeared in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, found once again that television watching for infants and toddlers is not only not educational, it may even stunt their development.  One specific finding from this study  concluded that babies who watch TV are more likely to have delayed cognitive development and language at 14 months, especially if they’re watching programs intended for adults and older children. 

http://health.yahoo.net/articles/parenting/tv-watching-bad-babies-brains

This article explores the significance of babies’ babble, and how these first sounds and utterances lead to more advanced communication, including both receptive and productive language.  It appears that babies’ around the world babble in similar ways, and researchers are becoming increasingly interested in interpreting these sounds and the impact they have on both cognitive and social development.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/12/health/12klass.html?_r=1

Talaris Institute is pleased to announce that Harlem Children’s Zone will be distributing over 1,000 Parenting Counts materials through two Harlem Children’s Zone programs:  Baby College parenting classes and Harlem Gems pre-K program.  The donation was made possible by the generosity of the Apex Foundation, the family foundation for Bruce and Jolene McCaw.  Talaris and Harlem Children’s Zone are committed to helping build a strong foundation of social, emotional and cognitive skills during the early years of life.

HCZ_Press_Release[2]

Parenting Counts is pleased to announce the newest member of its parenting series, Life with Newborn Parenting Guide.  Life with Newborn Parenting Guide includes a DVD and companion booklet and is designed to provide parents with information and research on what to expect during the first three months after a baby arrives.

LWN_final_product_update_7-10-10

Talaris Institute, a nonprofit organization in Seattle, Washington, is proud to announce the launch of the new online service for parents of children birth to five: Parenting Counts Center at www.ParentingCounts.org. Parenting Counts Center showcases factual and practical content for parents based on research in the field of early childhood development. Parenting Counts Center offers free access and a comprehensive, developmental timeline that features the milestones most children experience from birth to five years.

PC Relaunch Press Release 6-14-10[1]

Dr. John Medina, a developmental molecular biologist and author of several books including the New York Times bestseller, Brain Rules, presented on Is Temperment Innate? during the Talaris Institute’s second in a series of interactive webcasts for parents and professionals. Dr. Medina discussed the roles nature and nurture play in how a child learns to navigate the world. He also answered questions asked in real time via the internet.

Medina_Press_release FINAL 6-3-10[1]

Parenting Counts is pleased to announce a new resource for parents and professionals, La Vida con el Bebé, the Spanish version of the popular Life with Baby Parenting Guide. La Vida con el Bebé includes a DVD and companion booklet and is designed to provide parents with information and research on what to expect during a baby’s first year of life. 

LWB_Spanish_Product_Update_Final_12JUL10

Why are Mothers important? “Research shows that parenting is one of the most important jobs you’ll ever have, because everything you do as a parent counts. Children rely on their parents to help them make sense of the world. No one has a greater impact on a child’s development than their parents, and since we are nearing Mother’s Day, we will specifically recognize how important a mom’s role is in her child’s healthy development,” says Katie Simons, Executive Director of Talaris Institute.

Mother’s day PR[1]

Supporting young children’s development means providing limits as well as opportunities.  Carolyn Pirak from Talaris Institute explains why discipline is important and how it can be used in ways that support the healthy social and emotional growth of toddlers and preschoolers.   

 http://www.king5.com/on-tv/Learning-for-Life-How-to-best-discipline-your-young-children-90099932.html

http://www.king5.com/news/learning-for-life/Learning-for-Life-That-Talaris-Institute-80946497.html