Theory of Mind

The Moment a Child Stops Grabbing Toys and Starts Negotiating — What Changes?

A study of 90 preschoolers in China tracked a dramatic shift in how children handle peer conflict between ages 3 and 5. Regression analysis showed emotional understanding — especially “mental” understanding — explained 69% of the variance in conflict resolution strategies.

To Help Others, Children Must First Feel Safe — What 465 Kids Revealed About the Roots of Empathy

Securely attached children responded to others’ pain with empathic concern; insecurely attached children were overwhelmed by their own distress. A two-study experiment with 465 preschoolers shows that emotional safety is the foundation empathy grows from.