Nurturing Emotional Awareness

You never know who you’ll meet in the grocery store. After picking up a few items the other day, I was standing in line lost in thought and occasionally glancing at the tabloid headlines.  And then my wandering eyes settled on the infant in the cart in front of me, her face seemingly focused on mine. I smiled at her, and soon she smiled back. At that moment I lapsed into my baby-communication mode, broadening my smile, lifting my eye-brows, my face reflecting the delight I experienced at entering into this “conversation” with the infant. Her smile faded momentarily, an indication that she noticed the change in my face. Then she smiled again. I said “Hello,” then, “How are you?” and so on, words she didn’t understand but my face was highly animated, my voice soft and high-pitched, and my inflection exaggerated. She stared intently at my mouth, appearing to study it carefully, then smiled again

She and I went on like this for only about 60 seconds, yet it was a highly meaningful conversation for a four-month-old infant who won’t begin speaking in words for at least another year.    

Magical!  Her focus on me caused me to smile; my smile brought her to smile, and we carried on, effecting changes in each other as our facial expressions changed. 

What makes it seem even more like magic is the knowledge that her brain seeks out faces!  She is hard wired for eye contact and locking into another’s gaze! And so begins the fascinating development of social connection. Developmental psychologists now know that without this gaze and communication with a caregiver the infant may fail to develop competence in the areas of Emotional Awareness and Relationship Skills (see previous blog, “What Do Competent Kids Look Like?”).

Those parents who experienced this sort of interaction with their own parents generally find it effortless and very natural to engage with their infant. If one’s parent was engaged to that degree, the individual probably benefited from a healthy attachment. 

Not everyone had that good fortune. Many of us were not exposed to the caring gaze from a parent who was secure and could comfort us when we were distressed, and yet we know that even those parents who were raised by parents who were not reliably available can learn how to connect with their infant. 

In this busy world of ours, most parents could benefit from a few important reminders:

1.       Your baby wants to see your face, your eyes. Watch your infant’s mouth as you smile and then make an “O” with your lips; you’re likely to see his efforts to mimic your mouth. Your baby will help you help him to communicate! 

2.      Your baby’s brain relies on input from you and the environment to stimulate its growth. Talk to your baby even if you know she doesn’t understand the words. Touch your baby with sensitive, caring hands. Hold her close to your heart. Sing and laugh. All of this provides comfort and nurtures brain growth.

3.      Be aware. Marvel at your baby’s growth. Watch the changes. Notice your baby’s moods and tell him what you see, not just through words but with your facial expressions.  When you see a smile tell him, “You look so happy,” with a happy face and voice. When you seea frown tell him, “You seem sad,” with a momentary frown of your own. You are your baby’s mirror.