Scientific Parenting Diary

For preschool children growing up in English-dominant environments, understanding Mandarin often comes much earlier than speaking it. In the previous episode, we explored why this is a normal and healthy stage of bilingual development—not a failure o... more

Preschoolers growing up in an English-dominant environment often understand Mandarin far better than they speak it. Many parents wonder: If my child understands Chinese, why do they always answer in English? Are they really learning the language, or ... more

Many parents have experienced this moment: you’re upset, trying to explain what went wrong, and speaking more firmly than usual—when suddenly your child goes quiet. They stop responding, stop moving, and seem to shut down completely. It’s easy to int... more

When it comes to education planning in the United States, the 529 plan is often presented as a universal solution. But for families living in California, the real question is rarely whether to use a 529—it’s how to use it without making costly mistak... more

For many parents, questions about a child’s future arrive long before the child is old enough to ask them. Even while our kids are busy learning letters, making friends, and discovering the world one tiny step at a time, we may already be wondering: ... more

AI is no longer a distant concept—it’s in our living rooms, our phones, and even our bedtime stories. Smart speakers answer questions, apps generate drawings, and story tools respond to a child’s imagination in real time. But when a four- or five-yea... more

Young children often say, “That’s not fair,” whether they’re sharing snacks, taking turns, or simply observing how adults make decisions. But for children around ages three to six, fairness is not a moral principle or a rule-based judgment—it’s an em... more

After Halloween, the candy pile at home looks endless—and while your child’s smile is sweet, you might already be wondering how to handle it all. In this episode of The Scientific Parenting Diary, we take a calm, science-based look at what happens wh... more