The study published in Child Development found that singing to infants can significantly boost their mood. This is according to researchers at Yale University’s Child Study Center, who conducted an experiment where parents were encouraged to sing more frequently to their babies. The results showed a measurable improvement in infants’ moods overall, compared to those in the control group.

The study included 110 parents and their babies, most of whom were under four months old. Parents were randomly assigned into two groups: one group received encouragement to sing more frequently by teaching them new songs, providing karaoke-style instructional videos, and sending weekly newsletters with ideas for incorporating music into daily routines. For four weeks, these parents received surveys on their smartphones at random times throughout the day.

The researchers found that parents were successfully able to increase the amount of time they spent singing to their babies. Not only did the parents sing more frequently, but they also chose to use music especially in one context: calming their infants when they were fussy.

“This simple practice can lead to real health benefits for babies,” said Eun Cho, postdoctoral researcher at the Yale Child Study Center and co-first author of the study. “We show that singing is something that anyone can do, and most families are already doing.”

The researchers believe that the benefits of singing may be even stronger than the current study shows, especially in a family that does not already rely on music as a way of soothing their infants.

A follow-up study, “Together We Grow,” will investigate the impact of infant-directed singing over an eight-month period. The Child Study Center researchers are currently enrolling parents and babies under four months old in this study to further explore the benefits of singing.

The findings have implications for alleviating stress or conditions such as postpartum depression in the long term, and may also show benefits beyond mood in infants, such as improved sleep.

As Samuel Mehr, an adjunct associate professor at the Child Study Center and director of The Music Lab, said, “Our understanding of the evolutionary functions of music points to a role of music in communication. Parents send babies a clear signal in their lullabies: I’m close by, I hear you, I’m looking out for you — so things can’t be all that bad.”

The bond between a child and their caregiver is the foundation upon which a lifetime of emotional and physical well-being is built. A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry has revealed that the warmth and affection shown by mothers to their children in early childhood can have a profound impact on their mental and physical health as they grow into teenagers.

Researchers from UCLA Health followed over 8,500 children as part of the Millennium Cohort Study in the United Kingdom. At age 3, independent evaluators assessed the mother’s warmth (praise, positive tone of voice) and harshness (physically restraining or grabbing the child). The same children were then asked about their perceptions of social safety at age 14. This included questions such as “Do I have family and friends who help me feel safe, secure, and happy?” At age 17, the participants reported on their overall physical health, psychiatric problems, and psychological distress.

The study found that maternal warmth at age 3 was strongly associated with more positive perceptions of social safety at age 14. This, in turn, predicted better physical and mental health outcomes at age 17. The researchers discovered that this relationship was not only significant but also influenced by the mother’s warmth rather than her harshness.

Dr. Jenna Alley, lead author of the study, explained that children who experience more maternal warmth tend to develop a positive view of the social world. This perspective is shaped by their early experiences and influences how they interpret, organize, and make predictions about social situations and relationships. In essence, a child’s “social safety schema” becomes their lens for viewing every interaction.

Dr. George Slavich, senior author of the study, noted that the findings have important implications for interventions and public health campaigns designed to enhance resilience across the lifespan. By focusing on enhancing a teenager’s sense of social safety, rather than just reducing perceptions of harshness, we can potentially have a positive impact on their health outcomes for years to come.

The study highlights the importance of early childhood experiences in shaping our perception of the world and ourselves. While it may not be possible to change past experiences, this research suggests that focusing on enhancing warmth and safety can greatly improve lives.

Additional studies are needed to determine how maternal warmth affects children in other contexts outside the United Kingdom and to explore ways in which healthcare providers and policymakers can use these findings to develop better interventions and public health campaigns.

The science of tickling has been shrouded in mystery for over 2000 years, leaving even the great philosophers Socrates and Charles Darwin baffled. Despite its ubiquity in human interaction, from playful teasing between parents and children to social bonding and emotional expression, the intricacies of tickling remain poorly understood. Neuroscientist Konstantina Kilteni argues that it’s time to take tickle research seriously, shedding light on the complex interplay of motor, social, neurological, developmental, and evolutionary aspects involved.

One of the most intriguing questions surrounding tickling is why we can’t tickle ourselves. Our brain appears to distinguish between self-induced and external stimuli, effectively “switching off” the tickling reflex when we know exactly where and when we’ll be tickled. This phenomenon has sparked interest in understanding what happens in our brain when we’re subjected to ticklish sensations.

Research suggests that people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) perceive touches as more ticklish than those without ASD, offering a unique window into differences in brain development and function between individuals with and without the condition. Investigating this difference could provide valuable insights into the neurobiology of ASD and potentially inform strategies for better understanding and supporting individuals on the autism spectrum.

From an evolutionary perspective, the purpose and significance of tickling remain unclear. Kilteni notes that even apes like bonobos and gorillas exhibit responses to ticklish touches, while rats have been observed displaying similar behaviors. These observations raise questions about the role of tickling in human evolution and development, as well as its potential functions in social bonding and emotional expression.

To tackle these questions, Kilteni has established a specialized lab dedicated to studying tickling, where researchers can control and replicate various types of ticklish stimuli using mechanical devices like the “tickling chair.” By meticulously recording brain activity and physical reactions such as heart rate, sweating, breathing, laughter, and screaming responses, scientists hope to unlock the secrets of tickling and shed light on its significance in human biology and behavior.

As research continues to unravel the mysteries of tickling, it’s clear that this seemingly simple phenomenon holds a wealth of complexity and intrigue. By taking tickle research seriously, scientists like Kilteni aim to reveal new insights into human brain development, social bonding, emotional expression, and even the intricacies of ASD. The journey ahead promises to be fascinating, as we continue to explore the elusive science of tickling.