When an infant or young child babbles, gestures, or cries, and an adult responds appropriately with eye contact, words, or a hug, neural connections are built and strengthened in the child’s brain that support the development of communication and social skills.
I highly recommend this resourceful article Serve and Return for three reasons. First it is based on research from a highly reputable institution, Harvard University. Secondly, Serve and Return interactions prepare the developing child for the learning strategies offered in our curriculum for VerasVirtuesForKids.com for ages 3-7. Finally, while this research proves how a supportive environment for relationships affects all areas of life, our program offers resources that not only strengthen the individual, but also the family and the community. Thank you for sharing your results.
This article also shares some intriging Q&A on if occasional lapses in attention from adults harm a child’s development, and are educational toys and multimedia products useful in building healthy brain architecture in young children?
About the Author
Vera Smoot Taylor teaches child caregivers how to foster child well-being. Well-being is developed by early positive experiences and leads to normal brain development. Also, well-being is linked to happiness. Happiness is recognizable by high self-esteem, respect for all, follow through, love of learning, problem solving, and giving back. To supplement her teaching, Vera created a few basic resources that support brain development in three areas:
1. Spiritual and intellectual learning
2. Mental and emotional health
3. Relations and social behaviors
Vera’s work experience spans more than 35 years in public schools, private industry, and medical education. She served as a volunteer faculty for The Parent University in Atlanta. She currently serves on a national committee developing a course on spiritual parenting for racial justice.
Born and raised in WV, Vera lives in Georgia with her husband of 58 years. She enjoys country music, line dancing, and preparing meals that heal body illnesses. A special day is ‘back-porch swinging” with a friend.
