Here we go again, yet another study telling us what parents with even
an iota of common sense already know: it's good to spend time
with your kids.
It turns out there is science behind what most parents know and do
without thinking about it; that is, they love and pay attention to
their children, especially when the children are very young.
Research suggests that at birth, our brains are only about 15%
connected, and that the remaining 85% becomes wired through the various
types of sensory input we receive in our first three years of
life. Input like being hugged, read to, played with, talked to,
and otherwise nurtured and supported will likely result in a
well-adjusted child who is flexible, empathetic and intelligent.
On the other hand, if those connections are made through negative,
chaotic or fearful experiences, the child will fail to develop
important
characteristics like warmth and empathy.
In other words,
continue doing what you've been doing. But now you know the
reason for it, other than the simple fact that you love your child and
it feels good. (Unless you were looking to raise a Jeffrey Dahmer, in which case please don't tell me.)
