Whether you're a parent or a scientist, it's obvious that interaction with your baby is important. From an early age, babies have a need for interaction. Whether it's reciting a nursery rhyme or holding them close, this bonding is key for their development.
Studies of newborn monkeys who were given a mannequin mother at birth showed that, even when the mannequins were made of soft material and provided formula to the baby monkeys, the babies were better socialized when they had live mothers to interact with. The results further showed that without live mothers, the baby monkeys were more prone to suffer from despair, as well as having a failure to thrive. Though not conclusive evidence, scientists suspect that the similar lack of physical interaction between parent and baby can cause the same problems in human beings.
There a five main ways that baby's bond - " Touch " Visual " Movement " Imitation " Sound
From day one, touch is one of the most important factors in interacting for a baby. Whilst pleasing for a parent to hold their baby near, it's a great way to promote baby's development. Visual and Movement can be seen at the same time - when the baby is being cradled, and a person walks by, the baby's eyes will automatically follow. A simple activity, but constantly stimulating their brain.
Not so easily noticeable, but proven, is that a newborn baby tries to imitate the facial expressions of those around. Psychologists Andrew Meltzoff and M. Keith Moore conducting several studies into imitation, and it was proved that even a newborn baby, less than one hour old, can imitate an adult in some shape or form. The most used example was for an adult to stick their tongue out, and the baby's response was to reply with the same action. In some cases, the baby would have a dummy in their mouths when the adult stuck out their tongue. The baby would continue to suck on their dummy until content, remove it, and stick out their tongue.
Verbal interaction with a baby, even before birth, has always been favoured as an interaction activity. In a similar study, Meltzoff and Moore showed infants two screens. One had a film of an adult saying "ahh" and the other of an adult saying "eee". In between these two screens was a speaker that could play either an "ahh" sound or an "eee" sound. When either of the sounds was played, the babies consistently looked towards the film that the sound fit.
Constant interaction throughout childhood is equally important. It has been recognised by TV companies who create stimulating and educational programmes for newborns to pre-teens, and by toy manufactures who are producing interactive toys for the same age ranges. Brother Max have a Bath Toys set that allows an infant to interact and become familiar with the materials they would use to wash themselves, whilst having fun at the same time.
At a slightly older age, Little Helper have an item called the 'Fun Pod', which allows for a 12 month old baby to a 4 year old to interact with adults in a range of activities. Aimed at use in the kitchen, the children can help, for example, with food preparation, whilst continually talking to the adult, interacting in all the five main ways - touch, visual, movement, imitation and sound.
There are several accounts of children who have been neglected and closed in a room until they are at the age of 8 or 9. When discovered, these children are underdeveloped and lack any form of social skills. The interaction they have lacked as a young infant detrimentally affected them in the years ahead.
The amount of scientific evidence couldn not prove this as much as those who know babies bests - parents. Whether a parent, grand-parent or guardian, they know better than anyone how important interaction with baby is - not only for baby, but for them, too.
Dan Smith is heavily involved with his family-run business, The Internet Baby Shop (http://www.theinternetbabyshop.co.uk) - everything you need for your baby, all in one place!
