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Well-Being in Infants and Children

How can we set children up for the best success and well-being later in life?


A growing body of evidence points to the importance of emotion regulation early in life for healthy social and decision-making skills throughout the lifespan.


We know the brain changes throughout life, but there are sensitive periods of development when the brain is more pliable – between birth and 2 years of age, between 4 and 6 years of age, and around puberty. These are areas our researchers are especially interested in influencing to promote well-being in children and throughout adulthood.


We’re committed to learning the best ways to promote well-being in expecting mothers, infants, children and families through pioneering research on how the brain develops in the months following birth and in the first years of life. We're studying how curricula such as our mindfulness-based Kindness Curriculum affect children’s social and educational experiences for the better and whether video games may help build skills in empathy and attention.

Featured Finding

Eddy, J. M., & Poehlmann-Tynan, J. (Eds.). (2019).

Handbook on Children with Incarcerated Parents. Cham, Switzerland: Springer nature Switzerland AG. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-16707-3

Well-Being in Infants and Children Archive

Ongoing Studies

Classroom desk with apple by Andrea Carolina Sanchez Gonzalez via iStock
A Classroom-Based Training Program for Attention and Emotion Regulation
Richard J. Davidson, Lisa Flook, Lori Gustafson, Matt Hirshberg, Cara Knoeppel, Chad McGehee, Evan Moss, Jane Sachs

Assessing how mindfulness-based training works in classrooms, Center researchers are developing programs for students and children to learn more about how an integrated approach can promote well-being in schools.

Infant and mother for Baby Brain and Behavior Project
Baby Brain and Behavior Project
Richard J. Davidson, Doug Dean, Corrina Frye, Hill Goldsmith, Ned Kalin, John Koger, Cory Schmidt, Nicci Schmidt, Sarah J. Short

Our researchers are learning more about how very early experiences influence the developing brain and child well-being.

Mother Helping Her Daughter Do Yoga
Exploring the Impact of an In-Home Parent-Child Mindfulness Training Program
Sarah J. Short, Macy Lawrence Ratliff

What impacts does an in-home parent-child mindfulness training program have on children and their families?

School children playing Center for Healthy Minds game, Tenacity
Games to Teach Mindfulness and Compassion to Adolescents
Nagesh Adluru, Richard J. Davidson, Lisa Flook, Tammi Kral, Elena Patsenko, Jeanette Mumford

Our researchers are developing and measuring the impact of video games to help children improve attention and develop pro-social behavior.

Atenta Mente2
Improving School Climate and Children’s Well-Being through Mindfulness-Based Curricula in Mexico
Daniela Labra Cardero, Leandro Chernicoff, Richard J. Davidson, Sarah J. Short, Pema Lhamo

What impact does well-being curricula have on educators and the students they serve? The Center for Healthy Minds is teaming up with AtentaMente, a Mexico-based group of multidisciplinary professionals, to find out.

Young Children In Computer Class
Investigating Neuroplasticity Associated with Cognitive Training in Young Children
Sarah J. Short

How does a cognitive training program impact brain development in 6-year-old children?

fMRI images of infants by Center from Healthy Minds
Neurobiology of Emotion Regulation and Developmental Stress
Cory Burghy, Richard J. Davidson, Cecilia Westbrook

How do early experiences shape a person’s chances of developing symptoms associated with depression and anxiety? Center scientists are studying risk factors and longitudinal data to learn more.

Photo of yoga mat on wooden floor by Cindybug via iStock
Reducing Stress through Yoga for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum
Scott Anderson, Richard J. Davidson, Melissa Rosenkranz

Center scientists are exploring the bodily changes associated with a specific type of yoga in individuals on the autism spectrum.

20171002 Chm 9186
Understanding Poverty’s Impact on the Developing Brain
Sarah J. Short, Pema Lhamo

How does chronic stress impact a child's social, behavioral and cognitive development?

Well-Being in Infants and Children Archive