Child psychology paper

Child Psychology Investigation Student Name University Course Professor Name Date Child Psychology Investigation Several theories in child development support parental practices and child psychology. Some of these theories are not validated; however, some parents believe in them. This paper’s analysis delves into two popular theories, hence questions among parents. The first is, “Do sugar and hyperactivity in children have a link?” The second question is, “Does ‘cry it out sleep training’ affect child development?” This essay will examine the two questions, analyzing available empirical evidence. Do Sugar and Hyperactivity in Children have a Link? The link between sugar consumption and hyperactivity in children is a widespread belief among parents. Sweetened beverages and food such as sweets, cakes, and cookies are believed to cause hyperactivity in children. This argument is based on the “sugar rush” theory, which provides uncontrollable energy to children, thus actively playing and jumping all over. However, previous research has questions about this theory. A study done in Seoul, South Korea, which aimed to determine the relationship between the consumption of sugar by fifth graders at primary schools and the development of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), found that there is no relationship with sugar consumption from snacks and ADHD (Kim & Chang, 2011). Even though most parents believe sugars influence their children’s hyperactivity, a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association conducted a double-blinded experiment to determine the link between hyperactivity and sugar in children. Children who were described as responsive to sugars were recruited to the study and given sucrose drinks. However, the findings showed no significant relationship between a child’s hypersensitivity and sugar intake. Additionally, a birth cohort study done in Pelotas, Brazil, on sugar consumption and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) showed that there is no significant association between the consumption of sugars for children aged between 6 and 11 years and the incidence of ADHD (Del-Ponte et al., 2019). Also, a study by Sylvetsky et al. (2020) on the physical, cognitive, interpersonal, and emotional reasons for sugary drink consumption among children and adolescents found that individuals consume sugar to enhance attention, satisfy cravings, and relieve anger. Even though some parents believe that their children’s hyperactivity is strongly linked to sugar intake, validated evidence disputing this and delinking it from other factors, such as parental attributes and practices, is available. However, the empirical evidence from previous research does not agree with this link. It is agreeable to reject this perceived theory using evidence from previous research. Does ‘Cry it Out Sleep Training’ Affect Child Development? In child psychology, there has been an ongoing debate among pediatricians, parents, and psychologists on the impact of “cry it out” as a sleep training method for children. There have been conflicting ideas, with some parties arguing that crying out loud leads to the establishment of healthy sleep patterns. In contrast, others a...