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Cognitive and Emotional Development of the pre-born & a fewmonths after the birth
Prof.Lakshman Madurasinghe- Consultant Psychologist and author of “ ClinicalPsychology”
PART 3
Parts 1 and 2 appeared in Nov and Dec, 2008 issues of Mum & Me magazine.
Environment after birth
A growing body of scientific evidence shows that the way babies are cared for by their mothers will determine not only their emotional development, but the biologicaldevelopment of the child's brain and central nervous system as well. The research alsoshows that in addition to shaping the brains of infants, mother's love acts as a template for love itself and has far reaching effects on her child's ability to love throughout life.To mothers holding their newborn babies it will come as little surprise that the 'decade of the brain' has lead science to the wisdom of the mother's heart.In the research conducted at UCLA school of a major conclusion of the last decade of developmental neuroscience research is that the infant brain is designed to be molded bythe environment it encounters. In other words, babies are born with a certain set of genetics, but they must be activated by early experience and interaction. The child's firstrelationship, the one with the mother, acts as a template, as it permanently molds theindividual's capacities to enter into all later emotional relationships. Others agree. Thefirst months of an infant's life constitute what is known as a critical period - a time whenevents are imprinted in the nervous system."Hugs and kisses during these critical periods make those neurons grow and connect properly with other neurons." Says Dr. Arthur Janov, in his book Biology of Love. "Youcan kiss that brain into maturity."A child is born with more than 100 billion brain cells. Before the age of 5, long, thinfibers called synapses grow and connect the brain cells, forming the neurologicalfoundation of trillions of connections upon which a child builds a lifetime of skills. Thefinal number of synapses is largely determined by a child's earliest experiences. Braingrowth early in life is unparalleled. At no other time in life does the brain master so manyskills, or does experience etch so deeply in the mind. It is during these first few years that potential vocabulary, math and logic skills are largely determined and emotional stabilityis greatly affected.Positive emotional, physical and intellectual/language experiences in a child's earliestyears are just as important as a healthy diet and a safe place to live. To encourage the
 
healthy development of a newborn, parents need to know that it is the earliest interactionswith themselves and other caregivers that actually affect the way a baby's brain becomes"wired" for later learning. These interactions determine the potential for the way childrenwill learn, think, feel and behave for the rest of their lives.Dr Karp, a paediatric professor at UCLA School of Medicine in California and author of the best-selling book "The Happiest Baby," noticed that most newborns were fussy andfoetus-like in comparison two a three month-old baby, illustrating the massivedevelopmental leap babies make during the first three months of life."Newborns can't smile, coo, or even suck their fingers. At birth, they're really stillfoetuses and for the next three months they want little more than to be carried, cuddled,and made to feel like they are still in the womb," he says.
Nurturing Your Child’s Development from 0 to 2 Months
The report, From Neurons to Neighborhoods of the American Academy of Pediatricsoutlines the Childs development as follows:One of the most important tasks of the first 2 months is to help new- borns feelcomfortable in their new world. They are learning to regulate their eating and sleeping patterns and their emotions, which help them feel content, safe and secure. Even asnewborns, babies can play in many ways. They can connect sounds with their sources,and love when you talk and sing to them. Play helps babies learn about the worldaround them. It is also an important way they connect with you, helping them to developa strong attachment and promoting healthy social development. Newborns use their gestures (body movements), sounds and facial expressions tocommunicate their feelings and needs from day 1. They use different cries to let youknow they are hungry, tired or bored. They ask for a break by looking away,arching their backs, frowning or crying. They socialize with you by watching your faceand exchanging looks.
What steps to take
Offer your baby lots of different objects for him to look at, touch and even grip in his palms. He can focus best on things that are 8 to 12 inches away. Play “tracking” games by moving yourself and interesting objects back and forth. First he will use his eyes tofollow. Eventually he will move his head from side to side. This helps strengthen his neck muscles as well as exercise his visual abilities.Observe carefully. This will help you figure out what your baby’s cries are telling you.Soothe your baby. When you respond to your baby’s cries and meet his needs, you lethim know he is loved. You can’t spoil a baby. In fact, by responding lovingly to hisneeds, you are helping him learn skills now that allow him eventually to soothehimself. You are also promoting a strong bond and healthy brain development.
 
Charting Your Child’s Healthy Development: 2 to 6 months
Babies are very interactive at this age. They use their new language and communicationskills as they smile and coo back and forth, and enjoy babbling, starting with “ohs” and“ahs” and progressing to P’s, M’s, B’s and D’s. Your baby may babble and then pause,waiting for you to respond. They also love to imitate, which helps them learn new skills.For example, mom sticks out her tongue, baby imitates and mom does it again. This alsoteaches them about the back and forth of conversation.Babies have greater control over their bodies. By 4 to 6 months, they may be able to roll both ways, become better at reaching and grasping and will begin to sit with assistance.They also begin wanting to explore their food and help feed themselves. Touchingand tasting different foods is good for learning and for building self-confidence.Babies this age love to explore. They learn from looking at, holding and putting their mouths on different objects. At about 3 months, babies begin to reach for things and try tohold them. Make sure all objects are safe. A toy or anything else you give her shouldn’t fit entirely in her mouth.
What steps to take
Place your baby in different positions—on her back, stomach, and sitting with support.Each gives her a different view and a chance to move and explore indifferent ways. . Let your baby play with your fingers and explore the bottle or  breast during feedings. As she grows, let her handle finger foods and help hold the spoon.Introduce one toy at a time so your baby can focus on, and explore, each one. Goodchoices include a small rattle with a handle, a rubber ring, a soft doll and a board book with pictures.When your baby babbles, both talk and babble back, as if you both understand everyword. These early conversations will teach her hundreds of words before she can actuallyspeak any of them.Engage in back-and-forth interactions with gestures. For example, hold out an interestingobject, encourage your baby to reach for it and then signal her to give it back. Keep thisgoing as long as your baby seems to enjoy it.As your baby gets bigger and develop rapidly over the coming months , bear in mind thatyou as a parent has a tremendous responsibly upon your shoulders to help him develop sothat in later years he will be able to functional optimally and become a valuable citizen.While helping him develop and you create a nurturing atmosphere, bear in mind thefollowing general guidelines given by Julie Thombari:
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