Ep. 140 - Social Creatures: The importance of human connection

09/18/24 • 25 min

This episode of Parents Understood features Dr. Rose Perry and Dr. Natalie Brito discussing Social Creatures, a non-profit focused on social health. Dr. Perry, a social neuroscientist, discusses her research highlighting the impact of early social connections on lifelong well-being, and how her recognizing the societal undervaluing of these connections lead to her founding Social Creatures, which aims to promote health through community building. Drs. Perry and Brito also discuss Social Creatures’ program, Bonded by Baby, which addresses the high prevalence of loneliness among new parents. By connecting parents with similar-aged infants, the program offers crucial social support and combats postpartum depression and anxiety. Additionally, Drs. Perry and Brito provide practical advice for parents, emphasizing the importance of open communication, self-care, and maintaining diverse connections.

For more information on Dr. Perry and Social Creatures please visit her LinkedIn page, as well as the Social Creatures website. For more information on Dr. Natalie Brito please visit her LinkedIn page and her lab website ISLAND.

Previous Episode

Ep: 139 - Supporting Students with Neurodiversity with Dr. Katie Newhouse

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Katie Scott Newhouse, Clinical Assistant Professor and Program Director of Special Education at New York University, to discuss supporting neurodiverse students in middle childhood. Dr. Newhouse emphasizes the importance of recognizing individual differences and tailoring support strategies accordingly. Transitions, especially back-to-school after summer, can be challenging for neurodiverse students. Strategies discussed include open communication between parents and teachers, visual schedules, social stories, and classroom placement considerations. We highlight the importance of parent advocacy and connecting with community resources. We also touch on the challenges of navigating the school system and the need for proactive support.

For more information on Dr. Newhouse and her work please visit: Dr. Katie Newhouse

Next Episode

Ep. 141 - How do we support literacy in young children with Dr. Susan Neuman

In this episode of Parenting Understood, we delve into early literacy with Dr. Susan Neuman. We discuss creating child-centered learning environments that foster literacy development. Dr. Neuman emphasizes the importance of responsive teacher-child conversations, play, reading, writing, and singing. She highlights the need for a balanced approach to alphabetics and encourages parents to engage children in informational texts. The conversation also touches upon the influence of research on educational policies and the significance of recognizing individual learning styles. To learn more about Dr. Neuman and her work please visit her website Susan Neuman | NYU Steinhardt, LinkedIn profile and Susan B. Neuman on X.