Verified by Psychology Today

Evolving Minds

We all start small

Unconscious
Are Kids Really Afraid of Masks?

Susan Scheftel Ph.D. on October 30, 2020

Human beings are wired to privilege faces and yet all of a sudden faces are covered by masks. What impact does this "new normal" have on our children and ourselves?

Human beings are wired to privilege faces and yet all of a sudden faces are covered by masks. What impact does this "new normal" have on our children and ourselves?

Child Development
Note to Self: We Are Bigger Than Our Kids

Susan Scheftel Ph.D. on December 26, 2017

A basic evolutionary disparity may help us deal with our children when we are driven to the brink of distraction. They are much smaller than we are.

A basic evolutionary disparity may help us deal with our children when we are driven to the brink of distraction. They are much smaller than we are.

Dreaming
Dreams Aren't Child's Play, or Are They?

Susan Scheftel Ph.D. on May 3, 2017

Can we ever understand the mystery of dreams? What children's play can reveal about the nature of dreaming.

Can we ever understand the mystery of dreams? What children's play can reveal about the nature of dreaming.

Attention
What Happens When a Therapist Goes Away

Susan Scheftel Ph.D. on February 6, 2017

Patients often wonder if therapists think about them when they are away: some insights from a therapist's thoughts while on vacation.

Patients often wonder if therapists think about them when they are away: some insights from a therapist's thoughts while on vacation.

Play
Welcome to the Dollhouse

Susan Scheftel Ph.D. on September 29, 2015

Dollhouses seem to provide a perfect venue for little children to work out big ideas. They are a must-have for all those working with children of both genders.

Dollhouses seem to provide a perfect venue for little children to work out big ideas. They are a must-have for all those working with children of both genders.

Gender
Princess Culture: What Is It All About?

Susan Scheftel Ph.D. on August 24, 2015

Despite all efforts to empower little girls with more gender neutral or less commercial preoccupations, many little girls insist on buying and wearing clothing and accessories that are very pink, princess oriented and very much a part of consumer culture. What is this all about?

Despite all efforts to empower little girls with more gender neutral or less commercial preoccupations, many little girls insist on buying and wearing clothing and accessories that are very pink, princess oriented and very much a part of consumer culture. What is this all about?

Child Development
Tics Are for Kids

Susan Scheftel Ph.D. on May 9, 2015

Tics are common in childhood but can seem mysterious and strange. This will help you understand what tics are, as well as what they are not.

Tics are common in childhood but can seem mysterious and strange. This will help you understand what tics are, as well as what they are not.

Mindfulness
From Self to Selfie

Susan Scheftel Ph.D. on November 28, 2014

We do not always know where our smart machines leave off and we begin. The author describes "influencing machine" delusions which closely resemble some of our current technological realities. There are subtle risks in the ways smart machines may be restructuring the development of small childrens' minds.

We do not always know where our smart machines leave off and we begin. The author describes "influencing machine" delusions which closely resemble some of our current technological realities. There are subtle risks in the ways smart machines may be restructuring the development of small childrens' minds.

Fantasies
The Real News About Shoes

Susan Scheftel Ph.D. on July 4, 2014

Why are so many people obsessed with shoes? Is there something about them that makes them a ready portal for fantasies of all kinds? Early development may hold a key as to why shoes have such special significance in our minds and within our culture.

Why are so many people obsessed with shoes? Is there something about them that makes them a ready portal for fantasies of all kinds? Early development may hold a key as to why shoes have such special significance in our minds and within our culture.

Attention
Is It Hard to Think About Nannies?

Susan Scheftel Ph.D. on May 10, 2014

A recent documentary film, "Finding Vivian Maier," about a Chicago nanny who had a secret life as a photographer, raises questions about why parents are often not curious enough about those whom they hire to care for their children.

A recent documentary film, "Finding Vivian Maier," about a Chicago nanny who had a secret life as a photographer, raises questions about why parents are often not curious enough about those whom they hire to care for their children.

Play
What Happens in Play Therapy?

Susan Scheftel Ph.D. on February 8, 2014

Child therapy can seem mysterious to parents even when they know their child needs help.
Parents often worry that the therapy itself might be a distressing experience or conceive of it as akin to what adults do in the consulting room. In fact most children who enter play therapy find it a comforting and familiar experience and take to it readily.

Child therapy can seem mysterious to parents even when they know their child needs help.
Parents often worry that the therapy itself might be a distressing experience or conceive of it as akin to what adults do in the consulting room. In fact most children who enter play therapy find it a comforting and familiar experience and take to it readily.

Child Development
Old Blankeys Never Die

Susan Scheftel Ph.D. on December 21, 2013

Children and toddlers are not the only ones with security blankets.

Children and toddlers are not the only ones with security blankets.