The Science of Parenting from edX

Everyone has an opinion on parenting – where babies should sleep, what they should eat, and whether parents should spank, scold, or praise. What’s more, the media often offers support for whichever opinions appear most popular at any given time. This leavesthose of us who like to base our decisions on firm, provablefacts feeling dizzy.

“The Science of Parenting” addresses this confusion by moving beyond the chatter and opinion surrounding parenting, and by looking directly at the science. Parenting itself is far from a science. Nevertheless, scientists have conducted thousands of studies that can help parents – or future parents – make sensible, informed decisions.

One goal of this coursewill be to provide a survey of important scientific findings spanning a range of topics that are central to the lives of parents:

diet
sleep
discipline
learning
screen time
impulse control
vaccination

We’ll also explore ongoing mysteries , like what causes autism, and why so many children are allergic to peanuts.

Perhaps more important, this coursewill not only dig into existing science, but will also explore the underlying nature of parenting science itself. Often, scientists measure correlations: They ask how different parenting practices are related to different behaviors in children. But the claims they make from 'correlational data are often much, much stronger. For example, from correlational data, scientists often claim that parents cause the behaviors of their kids. This coursewill show how this type of error – common in the scientific literature – can explain a significant amount of the confusion present in the media and general public. Wewill discuss how to avoid the same error when evaluating science, and how to use the sum of available evidence to inform decision making.

The course’s instructor, David Barner, is a leading authority on cognitive development. He is joined by leading experts on behavior genetics, vaccination, autism, lying, and spanking, as well as by real live parents who try to use science to inform their decisions. This class is suitable not only for parents, future parents, and grandparents, but also for professionals interested in health care, social work, and early childhood education who want to increase their knowledge and analysis skills.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Core knowledge on topics including infant sleep, forms of discipline, breastfeeding, language and math learning, screen time, bilingualism, and autism.
Analytical and applied techniques , including how to compute the contribution of genetics to a trait, how to understand and compute correlations, and how kids can effectively study for tests.

Best practices for sleep training, discipline, and feeding.

Core knowledge on topics including infant sleep, forms of discipline, breastfeeding, language and math learning, screen time, bilingualism, and autism.
Analytical and applied techniques , including how to compute the contribution of genetics to a trait, how to understand and compute correlations, and how kids can effectively study for tests.
Best practices for sleep training, discipline, and feeding.

Syllabus

Week 1: The Nature vs. Nurture Debate; Adoption and Behavior Genetics

Week 2: Learning Language; Screen time; Preschool; Music

Week 3: Morality; Self Control; Family Structure

Week 4: Autism and Vaccination; Sleep; Diet & Breastfeeding

Week 5: Learning and School: The Achievement Gap; Learning Styles; Acceleration; Homeschooling

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a comprehensive overview of various parenting topics, including sleep, discipline, learning, and screen time

Led by David Barner, a leading authority on cognitive development, and experts in various fields related to parenting

Suitable for parents, future parents, grandparents, and professionals in healthcare, social work, and early childhood education

Emphasizes critical thinking skills, helping learners navigate parenting decisions based on scientific evidence

Covers both core parenting knowledge and analytical techniques for evaluating scientific studies

Provides practical guidance on sleep training, discipline, and feeding

Reviews summary

Educational resource for parenting

Learners say the Science of Parenting course provides an academic overview of different research issues related to parenting. Some learners found the material to be engaging, while others found it to be less practical as it focuses on the theories surrounding parenting rather the actionable advice learners were seeking.

In-depth, academic overview of parenting research.

"An excellent course helping develop skills to understand the reporting of many research issues related to parenting."

"It's a very academic course, therefore, less practical."

May not provide specific, practical advice.

"Less practical."

"Going through the theories is somewhat boring as a lay person outside the field."

"I am a new parent, the lesson is not that useful as a guide that can tell me what to do."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Science of Parenting with these activities:

Discuss parenting challenges and solutions with other parents

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Fosters a sense of community and collective knowledge sharing, providing diverse perspectives and support for parenting decisions.

Browse courses on Parenting

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Join or start a parenting group
Attend regular meetings or discussions
Share experiences, ask questions, and offer support

Read "Parent Effectiveness Training" by Thomas Gordon

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Introduces proven techniques for effective parenting and communication with children, which can be applied to the topics covered in the course.

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Read at least one chapter per week
Take notes on key concepts and techniques
Discuss and practice techniques with family members

Follow video tutorials on baby sign language

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Provides a structured and engaging way to learn sign language, enhancing communication and fostering early language development.

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Find reputable video tutorials
Watch the tutorials and practice regularly
Incorporate sign language into interactions with your baby

Five other activities

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Sleep training drills

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Provides practical, hands-on experience with implementing sleep training techniques, enhancing understanding of the concepts and effectiveness.

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Choose a specific sleep training method
Consistently apply the chosen method for an extended period
Monitor the baby's response and adjust as needed
Evaluate the results and make necessary adjustments

Volunteer at a local preschool or daycare

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Offers hands-on experience interacting with young children, providing insights into child behavior and development, reinforcing course concepts.

Browse courses on Early Childhood Education

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Find a reputable preschool or daycare
Inquire about volunteer opportunities
Attend training and orientation
Regularly assist with activities and care for children

Develop a personalized discipline plan

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Allows students to apply the principles of effective discipline to their own family situation, fostering a deeper understanding of the concepts.

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Identify common behaviors and challenges
Research evidence-based discipline techniques
Tailor the plan to the child's individual needs
Implement the plan and monitor its effectiveness

Attend a workshop on infant nutrition

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Provides direct interaction with experts in the field, enabling students to gain practical insights and enhance their understanding.

Browse courses on Diet

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Research and find a reputable workshop
Attend the workshop and take notes
Apply the knowledge gained to your own parenting practices

Contribute to a data visualization on the impact of screen time on children

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Involves students in data analysis and visualization, reinforcing statistical concepts and promoting critical evaluation of the effects of screen time on children.

Browse courses on Screen Time

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Identify a reputable organization working on screen time research
Explore their data and identify a suitable dataset
Choose a data visualization tool and create a visual representation
Interpret the results and draw conclusions
Share the visualization with others

Career center

Learners who complete The Science of Parenting will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Prenatal Health Educator

The Science of Parenting provides a wealth of applicable knowledge that can be used in a career as a prenatal health educator. You will learn about the recommended diet for pregnant women and study the best habits for sleep training during infancy. You will also be able to use your knowledge to help families implement these best practices in their own lives.

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Guidance Counselor

The course is a perfect fit for those seeking a career as a Guidance Counselor as it provides the key learning objective of best practices for sleep training, discipline, and feeding. Guidance counselors are often asked to give advice on these topics, and this course will provide you with the knowledge you need to give sound advice. The course also covers important topics such as autism and vaccination.

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Instructional Coordinator

This course is a good fit for those seeking work as an Instructional Coordinator because it provides a good foundation in the analytical and applied techniques used in teaching and program development. Course topics such as "Learning Language" and "Screen time: Impact on Learning" are especially relevant to this career field.

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Family Therapist

The course is a good fit for family therapists because it introduces the many factors that can affect the family dynamic. Topics covered in the course include forms of discipline, language and math learning, and sleep. Family therapists can use the course to better understand how they can help families to work together.

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Registered Dietitian

The course provides a solid foundation for a career as a Registered Dietitian by providing an in-depth look at nutrition and its role in a child's development. This course is also a good fit for dietitians who specialize in pediatrics.

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Public Health Nurse

Nurses who work with children and families can use this course to build on their knowledge and understanding of the challenges that children face. The course provides core knowledge on topics like infant sleep, discipline, and diet & breastfeeding, which can be of immense use in educating parents and caregivers.

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Pediatrician

As a pediatrician, your career will focus on treating an infant's physical, mental, and emotional health. This course can serve as a review for the material you will learn in medical school. You will learn more about the importance of language development and how bilingualism and screen time can impact that development.

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Preschool Teacher

Preschool teachers can use the knowledge gained from this course to help ensure they are creating the best environment for their students. The course provides a good foundation of best practices for discipline and sleep training and a core knowledge of language and math learning.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologists can benefit from The Science of Parenting because it discusses the development of language and mathematical skills. By understanding how children learn speech and language, SLPs can develop more effective treatment plans for the children they work with.

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Developmental Psychologist

The core knowledge you will learn from this course about infant sleep, forms of discipline, breastfeeding, and autism will prove indispensable to success in a career as a Developmental Psychologist. Especially since autism is one of the many specialized subfields of Developmental Psychology.

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School Counselor

The course can help you better understand the families with whom you work, as well as the children you help at school. The core knowledge on topics such as morality, self control, and family structure will help you to better connect with students and assist them in academics and beyond.

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Child Psychologist

The course provides the foundation that you need to understand child development and the challenges that a child could face. Child Psychologists diagnose and provide treatment for a variety of disorders, and often provide guidance to help parents and caregivers. The course's deep dive into infant sleep, discipline, and feeding habits and methods will prove useful for any psychologist looking to specialize in youth.

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Educator

The Science of Parenting course will help you understand how to connect with your students on a personal level. You will learn about their learning styles and how to interact with all types of students. The course will also equip you with applicable knowledge on how to discipline students.

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Health Educator

The course will prove useful for a career as a Health Educator. As a Health Educator, you lead and conduct educational programs and workshops on a variety of topics, including nutrition, exercise, and basic health practices. The Science of Parenting course can help you to further develop your knowledge of sleep patterns, discipline, and the importance of healthy nutrition.

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Medical Writer

The course can help you to write better content for the medical field. Medical writers who specialize in mental health or pediatrics may find the course to be particularly useful in informing their writing.

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