Child Development

Just ten years ago, asking a child to “write an essay about climate change” meant watching them struggle with research, structure, and spelling. Today, they can type a prompt into an AI and get a polished, well-sourced paper in seconds. This isn’t science fiction—it’s Tuesday. As generative AI reshapes every profession—from law and medicine to art and engineering—parents are left with a profound question: If machines can outperform humans at knowledge recall, analysis, and even creativity, what should we actually be teaching our children? ...

The term “Tiger Mom” roared into our vocabulary in 2011 with Amy Chua’s memoir, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. It describes a strict, demanding parenting style focused on achieving high levels of academic and extracurricular excellence. This approach is often associated with, but not limited to, parents of East Asian heritage, and it has sparked a global debate about the best way to raise successful children. But after more than a decade of discussion and research, what have we learned? Is the Tiger Mom approach the key to raising high-achieving children, or does it do more harm than good? ...

We are a culture obsessed with goals. In a world of hyper-parenting and achievement culture, we push our children to set SMART goals, aim for the stars, and never give up. But what if this approach is not only ineffective for children, but also actively harmful? This article argues that our modern obsession with achievement-oriented goal-setting is broken, and offers a more effective, science-backed approach for raising resilient, happy, and intrinsically motivated kids. ...

That first walk to school alone is a major milestone in a child’s life—a small step for them, but a giant leap in independence. For parents, however, it’s a moment fraught with anxiety. Are they old enough? Is it safe? What if something happens? This article explores the question of when children should start going to school alone, looking at global perspectives, the benefits of this practice, and a checklist to help you decide if your child is ready. ...

What is the perfect number of children to have? It is one of the most personal and consequential decisions a person can make. For generations, the answer has been shaped by culture, religion, and personal circumstances. But in an age of data, we can now look at this question from a new perspective. What does the data say? This article will not give you a single “magic number.” Instead, it will explore the research from three different angles—parental happiness, child outcomes, and economic realities—to provide a more complete picture. The goal is not to tell you what to do, but to provide a data-informed framework for making your own best decision. ...

We’ve all seen it: the eerie, blue-lit glow on a child’s face, their world shrunk to the size of a screen. For modern parents, this image is often accompanied by a wave of guilt and a nagging question: “Is this okay?” The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no. Screen time is a double-edged sword. Wielded without thought, it can be a source of significant harm. But with mindful guidance, it can be a powerful tool for learning, creativity, and connection. ...