There is a proliferation of research and theories about early childhood development and the role parents and caregivers play. Over the past three years, scientists have made great strides in their ability to analyze developmental stages, with the use of brain imaging and other techniques. The results of this research are prompting parents to identify ways in which they can promote their children's emotional, behavioral and cognitive development, according to Dr. Errol Alden, deputy executive director, American Academy of Pediatrics. In fact, a recent survey shows that nearly 80 percent of parents with children under three are searching for more information and advice about recognizing and facilitating the physical and emotional development of children. The Importance of Parent-Infant Interactions Recent media headlines question the importance of parents in determining the course of their children's lives.
News stories featuring polarized debates among experts can be very confusing for parents.
Dr. Lewis Leavitt, professor of pediatrics, University of Wisconsin and researcher on infant development and parent-infant interaction, described how both infant and parent contribute to the construction of their relationship, which can be called a bond or attachment. This relationship helps foster early infant development and can include multiple caregivers. The optimal development of infants or young children does not require just one special caregiver, according to a recently completed National Institutes of Health Study on Early Child Care. Study results showed that children in a high-quality care environment can retain a positive relationship with their mothers while appropriately developing their cognitive and linguistic skills. Parents are crucial in giving children a healthy start in the early weeks and months of life.