Most people have their one favorite stuffed animal from their childhood… some of us even still have them! Stuffed animals are known to bring people joy and are filled with fond memories from being a part of a play routine to even having it as a cuddle buddy! What does this do for child development?

In the article, The stuffed animal sleepover: enhancement of reading and the duration of the effect, dives into research examining the stuffed animal sleepover program. This program is designed to help children’s reading habits by having their stuffed animals move throughout a library at night. Library staff would take pictures of the children’s toys engaging in activities throughout the library to insight joy within the art of reading. The article investigates how effective this program is at promoting reading for young children and other benefits associated with it. By taking the strategies used in this program, you can do this at home with your little ones!

To read more, click here!

Mikayla Clemens

Research Assistant, UConn KIDS

Jasleen Kaur is a research assistant at UCONN Kids from Southington, Connecticut.  She is a sophomore Computer Science major at the University of Connecticut, with a minor in Engineering Management.  This is Jasleen’s first semester working as a research assistant with UConn KIDS, and is ecstatic to meet the UConn KIDS community and get involved.  

Jasleen cultivated her interest in working with kids through tutoring younger children, as well as babysitting. After graduation she plans on pursuing a career in Artificial Intelligence, as well as pursuing higher education in Machine Learning.  

In her free time, Jasleen loves to read, travel, and spend time with family.  She loves to play board games, cook with her siblings, as well as some photography.  Occasionally she likes to indulge in some sweet treats especially at the UConn Dairy Bar.

In exploring the intersection of parenting and technology, the speaker goes into depth about the complex landscape of modern family life, where digital technologies symbolize both hope and fear. With the vast increase in the use of social media and other digital medias, Sonia Livingstone, a social psychologist observes the differences and new approaches to parenting in the 21st century.  

Drawing from interviews with diverse families, they highlight the importance of parents anchoring their decisions in their core values while actively engaging with their children in navigating the digital world. Families who approach technology with confidence prioritize shared decision-making, listening to their children’s perspectives, and finding ways to incorporate digital activities that align with their beliefs and interests. The speaker advocates for society to support parents by dispelling fear-based narratives, fostering digital literacy in education, and providing ample positive digital content.

Ultimately, the message underscores the need for a collaborative approach to parenting in the digital age, where understanding, empowerment, and shared experiences can guide families toward navigating the complexities of the digital future with resilience and creativity. Are you ready to shape your family’s digital future?

Watch the full TEDTalk here.

Jasleen Kaur, UCONN KIDS

Although risky play can be a bit dangerous and be nerve wracking to watch, children not only love it but they seek it out. There are six categories of risky play, as defined in the article: great heights, rapid speeds, dangerous tools, dangerous elements, rough and tumble, and disappearing/getting lost. But the main question is: why do children desire to engage in such risky behavior?

From an evolutionary perspective, risky play is beneficial because one of the most significant functions is to regulate fear and anger. While engaging in risky behaviors, young children put themselves in positions of fear at manageable levels. This teaches them that they can manage their fear and overcome it. On top of this, children might experience anger but must overcome it in order to keep playing. 

Even though allowing your child to engage in risky play is worrying, it’s extremely beneficial and important that they do. Children are capable of knowing their own limits and not attempting something they don’t feel ready to do. All in all, the benefits of risky play far outweigh the potential risks.

To read more, click here!

Kaitlyn Vitucci
Research Assistant, UConn KIDS

Welcome back to Trivia Tuesday!

This weeks question is…True or false: There are multiple types of development milestones children go through. Some sensory development, ex. a sense of smell, begins in utero.

a. True
b. False

Last weeks question was “when infants are developing motor skills, they emerge in a sequence of head to their feet and inside-to-outside”. The answer is true!

Tune in next week to find out the answer to this weeks question! 

Discover groundbreaking research at Indiana University that bridges the gap between toddlers’ remarkable learning abilities and the world of artificial intelligence! Imagine unlocking the secrets of how children effortlessly recognize objects and learn from their surroundings. Professors at IU are divingdeep into the minds of toddlers, capturing their interactions through head-mounted cameras to extract invaluable insights. This research isn’t just about understanding child development; it’s about revolutionizing AI. By applying these insights, AI systems can become more efficient, effective, and human-like in their understanding of the world. Get ready to dive into a world where cutting-edge science meets the future of technology!  To learn more click here. 

Jasleen Kaur, Research Assistant UCONN KIDS

Discover why your child’s “bad behavior” might actually be a positive sign of their emotional well-being and development. In this thought-provoking article, explore how modern parenting approaches differ from the past and why fostering a sense of safety and trust within the family can lead to confident, independent children. Learn about the drawbacks of authoritarian parenting styles and the benefits of embracing assertiveness and self-expression in children. Dive into the concept of authoritative parenting and its role in setting boundaries while maintaining warmth and respect. Gain insight into the cultural nuances of parenting and the challenges faced by parents of children from cultures around the world. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, this article offers valuable perspectives on raising confident, empathetic children in today’s world.  To read more about this topic, click here.

Jasleen Kaur, UConn KIDS Research Assistant

Todays Friday Feature is Kaitlyn Vitucci!

Kaitlyn is starting her first semester working as a research assistant here at Uconn KIDS! She is a psychology major and plans on adding a Neuroscience double major. She is excited to learn more about the field of psychology and be involved with research. 

She has been interested in psychology for most of her life and this helped her to realize her interest in neuroscience and the brain itself. She wants to go to medical school to become a psychiatrist with a focus on children. She has worked at an after school program for children on the autism spectrum, and this helped to solidify her interest in working with children. 

Kaitlyn likes to spend most of her time with her friends and enjoys painting and drawing. When at home she likes to drive around with her friends and listen to music together. She enjoys spending time with her family and going to new places and restaurants. 

Schools today are constantly busy; students are constantly learning whether it is through play in preschool or cracking open a textbook in high school. All of this can be tiring on students, leading us to ask the question on what can be done to help students?

Studies have shown that taking breaks throughout the day helps students stay engaged throughout the day while also reducing daily stressors, working on social skills, and even increasing brain functioning. Through incorporating simple strategies in the classroom, teachers can witness the positive impacts breaks bring to their environment. Using these strategies at home may even benefit your learners when they are outside of class completing assignments. It is important to think about what a short break can do for your child’s overall functioning; something so little can do wonders for your child’s mental health!

To read more, click here!

Mikayla Clemens

Research Assistant, UConn KIDS