The brain of a child changes after being touched on the hands and feet. When a child sees someone else being touched, their sensory cortex is also activated.
How does a child’s brain change after witnessing someone else being touched? Whether it’s “being touched” or “seeing someone else being touched,” the signals are transmitted to the cerebral cortex.
In fact, a child’s skin has many sensory organs connected to the brain. When these sensory organs are activated, the brain becomes more flexible and emotions stabilize. Touch exercises help develop a child’s brain and are beneficial for physical development.
Another study by the School of Medicine at the University of Miami found that premature infants who received gentle touch and passive manipulation for 45 minutes each day experienced miraculous changes after just 10 days.
Compared to premature infants who did not receive long-term touch or passive movement, they gained weight faster and had better physical indicators, and their average hospital stay was shortened by 6 days.
The famous rhesus monkey experiment also revealed that when children are young, they need food and the embrace and touch of their mother, meaning skin-to-skin contact, which helps them perceive the warmth of the world better.
The same goes for young children; they feel safer in the embrace and their bodies develop better.
Therefore, mothers should do these three things daily before their child turns one year old
Hug your child more
Hug your child more when they cry. Don’t worry about spoiling them if they are under one year old, as they are not yet aware of morality or rules; they just need to be held by their mother. When your child feels uncomfortable, a tight hug and gentle caress from you will convey your love. These warm hugs help your child feel secure and understand that they are unconditionally loved and protected.
In difficult moments, hugging your child will help them calm down and feel comforted. When you hold your child, they sense your heartbeat, body warmth, and familiar scent, all of which contribute to a sense of safety.
Touch your child more
Stroking your child’s head, belly, or hands, and performing some touch exercises after bath time, brings relaxation and has a significant impact on brain development. These actions make your child feel comfortable, stimulate their senses, and facilitate cognitive and emotional development.
When you gently touch their head or belly, you’re creating an intimate and bonding experience. Studies have shown that children who receive regular care and stroking develop better emotionally and have improved social communication skills.
Moreover, performing touch exercises stimulates the development of muscles and the nervous system. Gentle movements like massaging your child’s hands, feet, or belly relax the body, improve blood circulation, and enhance overall health.
Talk to your child more
When your child is young, talk to them more. Even if they don’t understand your words, they can sense your love through your tone of voice and expression.
When children feel loved and cherished by those around them, they develop a sense of trust in the world and become confident and courageous in exploring their environment.
In addition to the above three things, there are three things that children under one year old should avoid doing
Neglecting your child’s cries
For children under one year old, crying is their language. At this stage, they cannot express their emotions or needs verbally, so crying becomes their only means of communication. Your child may be hungry, uncomfortable, or simply in need of a hug to feel safe and loved.
When a child’s cries are ignored, they feel unloved and undeserving of care. This can harm their psyche, leaving them feeling lonely and emotionally deprived.
This deprivation can lead to psychological issues in the future, impacting their ability to form positive social connections and relationships. Children need to know that there is a safe haven to return to, where they are cherished and valued.
Arguing in front of your child
While your child may not understand what you’re arguing about, they will sense the tension and discord. The tone of voice during arguments can be harsh and upsetting to a child.
Children are highly sensitive to emotional fluctuations in their environment, and arguments can make them anxious and insecure.
They may feel responsible for the disharmony, leading to feelings of guilt and self-blame. These emotions can impact their psychological development, making them shy and less confident.
Frequently scolding your child
Young children are in the exploration phase, and their actions are often driven by curiosity, without a full understanding of right and wrong. Therefore, it’s essential for parents to respond to these situations with patience and love.
The younger the child, the more patience is required. Gently guiding and explaining, along with hugs when they make mistakes, will help them feel loved and secure. This will foster their perception of the world and create warm memories that form the foundation for their future emotional development.