Youth Development in the Digital Age
By Marilyn Price-Mitchell, Ph.D.
August 1, 2014
For parents seeking advice and insights on child rearing, the Information Age can be a mixed blessing.
Every conceivable parenting challenge can be found via search engines and refined to your exact specifications. You can share your experiences with “Mommy or Daddy Bloggers” and get feedback from almost anyone willing to respond to your questions. But in the end, it’s easy to feel even more confused and overwhelmed.
Seeking quick solutions to child rearing is like trying to learn all the offensive and defensive plays in football without understanding the game. In this case, the game is healthy youth development. It’s lengthy, complex, and challenging. And it’s the most important game you will play as a parent.
At Roots of Action, we focus on the overall game. Rather than quick answers, we provide a broader palette of thinking for parents and educators, one that is based on research in child and adolescent development. When bigger-picture concepts are understood, everyday child rearing decisions become more intuitive. Our aim is for each parent to become their own expert!
There are many others who share a similar approach to youth development. Through their blogs and social media accounts, they combine research with real-life stories to look at big-picture thinking. Through their articles, they bring the latest research on a variety of child rearing topics to their followers.
As a developmental psychologist, I’m often asked, “Whom do you follow on social media? What blogs do youread, share, and recommend for parents?” In response to those questions, I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite child development experts. All of them have studied extensively in their respective fields, and their articles are well written and informative.
I hope you’ll peruse the list and follow those who can help as you become your own parenting expert, raising your children in ways that support your family values and special needs.
Whom have I missed? Who brings the best insights on child rearing to your inbox or social media account? Please add the experts you love, with links to their blogs, etc. in the comments section.
Child Rearing Guidance for Parenting Success
Rick Ackerly, M.Ed. is a school principal, author, and speaker. His topics include education, parenting, and how to bring out the “genius” in all children. Blog; Twitter
Cindy Anderson, Ph.D. is a child and adolescent psychologist and writer. Her topics include ADHD, learning disabilities, parenting, and all issues related to child development. Blog; Twitter
Michele Borba, Ed.D. is a former teacher, author, and media contributor. Her topics include parenting, bullying, and moral development. Blog; Twitter
Ellen Galinsky, M.S. is a work-life researcher, author, and child development specialist. Her topics include working families, children’s behavior, and poverty. Blog; Twitter; Facebook
Jennifer Hartstein, Psy.D. is a child and adolescent psychologist, media contributor, and author. Her topics include teen-related and psychological issues. Blog; Twitter; Facebook
Maureen Healy, M.A., M.B.A. is a child behavioral expert, author, and speaker. Her topics include how to help highly sensitive children succeed and current parenting issues. Blog; Twitter
Katie Hurley, M.S.W. is a family psychotherapist, parenting expert, and author. Her topics include practical parenting strategies, social skills, anxiety, and learning issues. Blog; Twitter; Facebook
Lynne Kenney, Psy.D. is a pediatric psychologist and author. Her topics include how to enhance executive function and social/academic skills with motor movement. Blog; Twitter; Facebook
Jessica Potts Lahey, J.D. is a former middle school teacher and media contributor. Her topics include achievement, character development, and how children learn from failure. Blog; Twitter
Raychelle C. Lohmann, M.S., LPC is an author and speaker. Her topics include anger management for teens, family relationships, and school counseling-related issues. Blog; Twitter; Facebook
Laura Markham, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, parenting coach, and author. Her topics include family relationships, positive discipline, and attachment parenting. Blog; Twitter; Facebook
Dona Matthews, Ph.D. is a developmental psychologist, associate professor, writer, and consultant. Her topics include gifted children-related issues, parenting, and education. Blog; Twitter
Amy Miller McCready, B.A. is a positive discipline trainer, author, and speaker. Her topics include positive parenting and a variety of family issues. Blog; Twitter; Facebook
Eileen Kennedy Moore, Ph.D. is a psychologist, author, and speaker. Her topics include parenting, child development, and children’s friendships. Blog; Twitter; Facebook
Andrea Nair, M.A. is a psychotherapist and former high school teacher. Her topics include positive parenting methods and family dynamics. Blog; Twitter; Facebook
Susan Newman, Ph.D. is a social psychologist and author. Her topics include parenting, family relationships, and the world of only-children. Blog; Twitter; Facebook
Casey Wilson O’Roarty, M.Ed. is a positive discipline trainer, parent educator, and blogger. Her topics include parenting and positive discipline. Blog; Twitter; Facebook
Jennifer Powell-Lunder, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist, author, and media contributor. She writes about the emotional, social, physical, cognitive, and psychological changes that occur between the ages of 8-12. Blog, Twitter; Facebook
Alyson Schafer, M.A. is a psychotherapist, author, and speaker. Her topics include firm and friendly parenting practices and stress reduction. Blog; Twitter; Facebook
Robyn Silverman, Ph.D. is a child/teen development specialist, speaker, and author. Her topics include teen body image, bullying, and sexualization of girls. Blog; Twitter; Facebook
Andy Smithson, MSW is a counselor, social worker, writer, and speaker. His topics include how to improve the lives of parents and families. Blog; Twitter; Facebook
Jim Taylor, Ph.D. is a psychologist, author and speaker. His topics include youth sports, positive parenting, and education. Blog; Twitter; Facebook
Michael Ungar, Ph.D. is a psychotherapist, author, and researcher. His topics include youth resilience and how families cope with adversity. Blog; Twitter; Facebook
Meredith White-McMahon, Ed.D. is an educator, consultant, and author. Her topics include troubled children and youth, trauma, and crisis intervention. Blog; Twitter
Signe Whitson, LSW is a social worker, school counselor, and author. Her topics include bullying, crisis intervention, and emotional/behavioral health. Blog; Twitter; Facebook
About the Author
Founder of Roots of Action, Marilyn Price-Mitchell, Ph.D. is a developmental psychologist working at the intersection of K-12 education, positive youth development, leadership, social innovation, and civic engagement.
Website // @DrPriceMitchell // Facebook
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