Significance of Touch in the Lives of Young Children
Touch is an essential part of a young child 's development (Carlson, F., 2005, pgs. 79-85). From the moment of birth, when uterine contractions caress the baby, touch is a catalyst for healthy cognitive, physical, and emotional development. When an infant is born, touch is needed to support and sustain healthy brain development (Shore 1997). Touch plays a critical role in the brain’s ability to weather stress without adverse effects. Touch lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the human brain. (Holden 1996, Field et al, 1997, Shore 1997, Blackwell 2000). Positive touch reduces levels of cortisol in the bloodstream (Holden 1996, Field et al, 1997, Shore 1997, Blackwell 2000). Good touch will lead to increased mental and physical functioning in children. Without touch, children do not thrive. The emotional attachment that is formed as a result of warm and responsive care provides a child with a secure base from which to explore the world.
Touch matters. Humans need nurturing touch for optimum emotional, physical, and cognitive development and health especially in infancy. Daily touch plays a significant role in early brain development. Some experts believe that a baby’s face so soft, round and so kissable has evolved precisely to invite needed touch from loved ones (Levy & Orlans 1998). In addition to a loss in the expression of their own emotions and affection, children who are deprived of touch growing up also show great tendencies toward other negative effects of life.
In social and psychological studies, researchers have found that with touch deprivation, children often grow into juveniles and adults who show tendencies toward physical violence, sleep disorders, suffer from suppressed immune systems and even show some tendencies toward impaired growth development. The basis on which these findings were concluded seem to indicate that when a child is deprived of physical contact by a parent, especially a mother, the child does not learn to
Touch matters. Humans need nurturing touch for optimum emotional, physical, and cognitive development and health especially in infancy. Daily touch plays a significant role in early brain development. Some experts believe that a baby’s face so soft, round and so kissable has evolved precisely to invite needed touch from loved ones (Levy & Orlans 1998). In addition to a loss in the expression of their own emotions and affection, children who are deprived of touch growing up also show great tendencies toward other negative effects of life.
In social and psychological studies, researchers have found that with touch deprivation, children often grow into juveniles and adults who show tendencies toward physical violence, sleep disorders, suffer from suppressed immune systems and even show some tendencies toward impaired growth development. The basis on which these findings were concluded seem to indicate that when a child is deprived of physical contact by a parent, especially a mother, the child does not learn to
References: Andersen, J.E., P.A. Andersen, and L.W. Lusting (1987) ‘Opposite Sex Touch Avoidance: A National Replication and Extension’, Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, Vol Carton, J.S. and E.R. Carton, (1998) ‘Nonverbal Maternal Warmth and Children’s Locus of Control of Reinforcement’, Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, Vol Davis, P. (1999). The Power of Touch. California: Hay House, Inc., Fosshage, J.L., (2000) ‘The Meanings of Touch in Psychoanalysis: A Time for Reassesment’, Hosking, G. (1997), ‘The Root Causes of Violence’, [On-Line] Available: http://wwwave.org/Root_Causes_of_Violence.htm [2000, Oct MSN Encarta World English Dictionary (2000), [On-Line] Available: http://dictionary.msn.com Montagu, A., (1986), The Human Significance of the Skin, 3rd edition. New York, Harper & Row Publishers.