Follow-up TeleconferenceTelAbility/WATCH

Applying Social Neuroscience to Our Work with Young Children and their Caregivers

Betty Rintoul, Ph.D.

The Social Brain

Neurons cannot exist in isolation – they can exist only as part of a system

Human brains are designed to function as part of a larger social network

Cozolino, 2006

Primary Attachment Through Limbic Communication

Schore, 2001

CaregiverCaregiver InfantInfant

Limbic Level Communication

Facial expression

Touch

Tone of voice

Music

Smell

Rocking, other rhythmic motion

Perceiving Other’s Emotions

Emotional reactions register on the face, sometimes for only a fraction of a second

We can “read” these emotions without even knowing it (subcortical level)

We use this information to gauge context of communication

Some people are better at this than others

Ekman, 2003

Mirror Neurons

Recent research indicates we have special brain systems for identifying with others’ emotions and behaviors

Watching an activity or emotion registers in the same part of the brain as actually experiencing that action or emotion

Some believe that this is the biological basis for imitation and empathy

Social Referencing– Checking in with a caregiver for information on how

to feel or behave

Joint Attention– Using eye contact and pointing for the purpose of

sharing experiences with others

These skills start to emerge during the first year of life – evident by around 9 months

Carver & Vaccaro, 2007

Tuning In

Role of Experience

Repeated use strengthens brain connections

If connections are not used, they are more likely to be “pruned” away

The brain “grows itself” for the environment it experiences

Emotion and relationships appear to play particularly important roles in shaping the brain’s development

Attachment, Learning, and Behavior

How Secure Attachment Leads to Healthy

Development

Attachment as a Secure Base

Caregiver is attuned to child’s emotions (reads and reflects them accurately)

Caregiver is source of positive emotion and connection – share delight in one another

Caregiver responds to child’s bids for joint attention – shares interest

Caregiver encourages child’s efforts to reach out and explore

Attachment as a Safe Haven

Caregiver is sensitive to child’s distress when comfort or reassurance is needed

Caregiver helps child return to comfort zone when upset (helps organize feelings)

Caregiver is responsive to the child’s individual temperament within this “explore and return" cycle

Circle of Security

© Cooper, Hoffman, Marvin, & Powell, 2000 www.circleofsecurity.org

Security

Birth - 8 months

Identity

18 – 36 months

Exploration

8 - 18 months

Stages of Development

Adapted from the Program for Infant/Toddler Caregivers; www.pitc.org

Why Feeling Good is Good for You

Positive Emotion

Dealing with the Root

Emotion > Behavior

Survival

Negative Emotion

Fredrickson, 2001

Positive Emotion

LEARNING!

Fredrickson, 2003

Flexibility

Creativity

Receptiveness

to others

“Downloading” Emotional States

“How you are is as important as what you do.”

Jeree Pawl, 1998