Stress is an aspect of everyones lives. The amount of stress we all have differs and so does the way that we respond to it. As a baby being born into a family of abuse or where resources are scarce will change the way that your brain reacts to stress and the emotions you have.

A study done by Ross A. Thompson looked at the way that children respond to the struggle of living in poverty. It was found that it can change their neurobiology in a way that can hurt their physical health, social competence, and their ability to succeed in school and life. It can also make them have a hard time controlling their emotions, focusing, and creating relationships later on in life.

The study found that this neurobiological change can be altered. Creating warm and nurturing relationships in children’s lives can help to reverse this change. Programs to build this relationship have been very helpful for children. These programs don’t only focus on biological parents or caregivers but move onto grandparents or distant relatives to make it a multigenerational program. Thompson suggests this multigenerational approach to helping children living in poverty cope and thrive with their chronic stress.

Learn more by reading the article Here!

Ben Solomon

Research Assistant, UConn Kids

Taking care of a baby can be overwhelming. With screen time so prevalent today, Is giving your kid a screen to watch a good solution to calm them down? Will giving your child more screen time affect their development?

In August 2021, Jama Pediatrics published a longitudinal study looking at a little over 7,000 mother/child pairs between 2013 to 2017. The study found that heavier screen use was associated with poorer communication and fine motor skills measured at both two and four years old. Social skills and problem solving delays were found at one and two but no longer at four. “Screen Time” is a very broad statement that can mean many different things. A baby watching violent movies vs educational shows will make a difference. Parental input and screening are important. Different children can view the same exact program, one will see it as a positive program and the other child can see it as an anxiety inducing punishment.  Media can be effective when used in the right way although it will not be surpassed by playing with pets, siblings, adult nuzzling, or simply enjoying life.

 

Read the full article here!: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/life-refracted/202308/babies-screens-parents-and-developmental-delays

Ben Solomon

Research Assistant, UConn KIDS