Happy Fall!
Science, Songs, and Finger Counting
đ As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to fall, itâs time to find a new rhythm, re-establish healthy habits, and get back to sharing science summaries!
This summer gave me much-needed time with my kidsâbut less time to dig into the science archives. So, before you start to feel neglected or forgotten, rest assured: Iâm back with fresh, practical insights that can easily be woven into your daily life as a parent or caregiver.
đ¶ Sing Out Strong
This past spring, an international team of researchers published a study in Child Development showing that musicâespecially a caregiver singing to a babyâpositively impacts an infantâs mood. And yes, it works even if you're off-key!
Singing fosters connection, so donât be shy. If you have a baby in your home, hold them close and let the music lift both their mood and yours. They will love it.
â€ïž Warm It Up
As parents, we know that the emotional tone at home mattersâbut a new study helps us understand just how far-reaching that warmth can be.
The study, titled Predictors of Young Adultsâ Primal World Beliefs in Eight Countries (Child Development, 2025), found that parental warmth shown during the ages of 8 to 16 strongly predicted how safe young adults (age 22) perceived the world to be.
Those who experienced consistent warmth from caregivers were more likely to view the world as safe, good, or inviting. Remarkably, parental warmth had a greater impact than neighborhood safety, socioeconomic status, or other parenting factors.
Past research has linked parental warmth to long-term benefits, including:
Higher emotional, psychological, and social well-being
Lower rates of depression, marijuana use, and illicit drug use
âđŒ Let Them Count
As your children dive into math this school year, donât be too quick to discourage finger counting. A recent study in Child Development found that 3/4 of kindergarteners who were actively taught to count on their fingers for simple arithmetic improved their accuracy significantlyâjumping from 37% to 77% on average.
Finger counting isn't a crutch; it's a cognitive tool that can support stronger comprehension of mathematical concepts. And yes, it's much better than asking Siri or Alexa for the answer!
đ« Does Preschool Really Matter?
This is a question many parents askâone I had to explore myself, and one Iâm often asked by friends. The truth? It depends. The benefits of preschool are best understood through the lens of your childâs specific needs and the quality of the preschool environment.
For example, when my oldest turned three, I enrolled him in preschool for a few months. Why? He had developed a (very troubling) habit of biting other children. I needed to place him in a group setting where that behavior could be addressed appropriately and constructively. For us, the benefits of preschool were entirely social. Books, games, crafts, and life experiences were already part of our home life, but he needed help learning how to interact kindly and respectfully with peers.
A new study from Colorado adds to the conversation in a big way.
The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), in collaboration with Kidsights Data (Nebraska), recently found that:
âWhile Colorado Universal Preschool participants initially lagged behind their Nebraska peers at age four, they advanced to be up to nine months ahead by kindergarten entry.â
The difference? Universal access to high-quality preschool programs in Colorado. The Nebraska childrenâwhile initially aheadâdidnât have the same widespread access.
Takeaway:
Preschool mattersâbut quality and fit matter more. Ask yourself:
Will this preschool environment meet my childâs developmental and emotional needs?
Is this the right season for our family?
If preschool isnât the right fit, how can I meet those needs at home?
Whether you choose preschool or not, youâre likely already providing what your child needs: a bit of singing, a lot of warmth, and maybe even some finger counting along the way.
Hereâs to new beginnings, intentional parenting, and a fall full of connection and growth. đ
Let me know what research topics you'd like to see covered next!
P.S.
đ Last chance to Join Me!
There are just a weeks left before the 24-hr Parenting Retreat I will be in Spokane for my first 24-hour parenting retreat hosted by the Immaculate Heart Retreat Center. It is affordable, and will be both educational and inspirational! Get reset on your parenting as you start a new year of school. I will delivering 3 talks, sharing 3 meals with you, and offering Q/A time for some tailored parenting coaching. Come ready to learn and grow together!
I am so excited to meet some of you and walk with you along your parenting journey for the weekend. The retreat starts Friday and wraps up Saturday afternoon so it is just one night way from the family.
When: September 26â27, 2025
Where: Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, just outside Spokane
Whatâs Included:
Overnight stay (1 night)
3 meals (dietary needs accommodated)
3 parenting talks
Small group setting
Cost: $135 (single) / $225 (couple)
Book your babysitter and register here!