As a baby’s brain develops, neural connections strengthen – or shrivel up – depending on interactions with adults. These early connections form the foundation for all future learning, affecting intelligence, behavior, social skills, and health.
When adults make eye contact and engage with babies, reflecting and responding playfully to babbling, facial expressions, and gestures, neural connections grow. When adults fail to respond reassuringly to babies’ stress, neural connections break down.
When you take plenty of time to play with a baby, and when you make sure a baby feels loved and comforted in times of stress, you’re doing more than cooing, cuddling, smiling, and mirroring each other. You’re building a strong foundation for a growing brain.