Page 3 - The First 60 Days Magazine August 2023

HEALTHY BRAINS

BEGIN WITH

CONSISTENTLY

MEETING NEEDS

Supportive and present relationships have been found
to be one of the most impactful aspects contributing
to the overall healthy development of children.

Consistent, predictable and nurturing responses to
needs beginning at birth is essential. Responding to
expressed needs does not “spoil” a baby. In fact,
responding to the needs that are communicated, is
exactly what a baby does need.

Infants absolutely require consistent and timely
nurturing and loving interactions.

Predictable, nurturing and loving interactions impact
the base of the wiring in the brain for healthy physical
and mental health development.

Really tuning into what a baby is communicating
whether it is hunger, discomfort, fear, overstimulation,
or boredom, and then responding quickly to provide
attention and comfort creates the critical connections
needed, especially in the earliest months of life.

It is comforting for parents and caretakers to have
science providing information like never before. It can
help ease the minds of caring adults to feel assured in
knowing that this is more than just theory. Research
reveals that consistently responding to the needs of
an infant or young child significantly contributes to a
long lasting and very positive impact.

By Deborah McNelis, M.Ed

T H E F I R S T 6 0 D A Y S | 2