From Birth to Two: the Neuroscience of Infant Development

From birth to two years old is marked by great cognitive, emotional, social and physical development in children, and the brain is growing at a rapid pace. Research has enabled professionals and parents to identify developmental milestones for assessing a child’s progress across time. Although children develop according to a predictable sequence of steps, they do not necessarily proceed through them in the same way or at the same time. Every child’s development is unique, influenced by genetics, prenatal development, the care he/she receives after birth, and the experiences prompted by his or her environment. So there is a wide range of what may be considered 'normal' development. Leading scientists will review both basic and clinical research and discuss factors that influence child development from birth to two-years old, helping us understand what to look for, how to interpret what we observe, and what, if anything, can be done to intervene if something goes “wrong.” Please join us as we delve into the world of infant mental development, with Lisa Freund, Pat Levitt, Lisa Shulman, and Mark Frankel.

The Neuroscience & Society series is a partnership between The Dana Foundation and the American Association of the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

[carolbell]

Childcare and development should be a required subject in the seventh grade. Babies need constant loving care and stimulation!! I believe that neglecting babies is the cause of narcissist personality disorder and sociopaths. They grow so fast and need lots of attention. Parents beware!! Never neglect your children! ❤️

[moonlightfanta]

Anyone else on here because they’re studying early years neurology and has hit a brick wall? This was very fresh and informative, thank you 🙏

[babybearlullabies-babylull]

For the new moms out there, remember that a mother’s joy begins when new life is stirring inside; when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone 💗

[luminyam]

This is a great series. We are limiting electronic devices with our grandchildren.

[connorzook]

Definitely made this a fun session to listen to. Greatly appreciate the banter. “In one sense I wish he was here, in another I’m happy he isn’t.”-a real grandfather

[Naomicri]

Am I the only one thinking that the reason gestures are an indicator of later language development is because gestures are language? I struggle to imagine not talking and communicating to my children at any point of their lives. I talked to them from conception, the talked to me from the moment I held them. Newborn babies talk with their cries and body tension. Babies have a different cry for each different need. I need a nappy change sounds very different from I'm hungry or I have wind pain for example. By one month all three of my children spoke with cries, smiles, body tension and expressions but the one that blew me away was the way they spoke with their eyes. Look into their eyes and I knew exactly what they were saying. Admittedly mine were early communicators, late movers and it doesn't get much better than that, almost no need for a tantrum at all but there was a couple. If you're not communication with your baby you are missing something wonderful. Just stop doing, sit with your baby, tune in and pay attention. Unless your baby has a condition like autism for example, your baby will be communicating with you. FYI dogs have a different bark not only for each need but how far away and position of a stranger near their home and more. Pay attention people or you're missing out.

[temperancecarpenterjennife]

Is everybody experiencing no sound from 21:49-22:52?

[bindumadhavi]

Im first time mom with 9 months old.youtube played this to me when im sleeping .very needed vedio for me.thanks @youtube and this vedio team

[estherbarnhart]

I wonder what affect cry it out sleep training has on the stress response system.

[weebeng]

Nice video. Many parents are not aware that developing brain has a lot to do about about milestones.

[marilynmcalester]

This eas a very educational study how 2to 5yrs old develope learning skills.

[capuzzo]

using this video for my EDUC class research and watched many times.

[malikdacapone]

Wow thanks for this videos i am going to apply it to my 7month old child and see how it goes

[TheAIEpiphany]

I wonder whether we could do better as a society to make sure that fewer of those early synapses are lost in that early period of life (between 2-10 years of age) - how much are we leaving on the table? I also wonder how much of that pruning is genetic, how much is a consequence of biological "overshooting" and consequently post-hoc return to the equilibrium vs how much of that is simply because after 2 years of experiencing this world things start getting more boring as the kid has already seen a lot and the environment (the real-world) is not as stimulating as it used to be.

Great presentations, thought-provoking. Any papers you could point me to that describe how the number of neurons and synapses evolve during early development (and later into adulthood)? I was surprised to hear that neurogenesis only makes for a minor percentage of neurons after birth and that synaptogenesis is where the bulk of development goes into.

[vibhutijain]

This is an amazing video on development of the child wrt to the brain with great amount of humor thrown in it as well.

[sarahhewitt]

I loved it, I watched this as part of my research in my career change. Very, very helpful!

[zphuo]

It's enough to listen first lecture that is wonderful before @29:00.

[clairNshane]

30:00 Lisa H. Shulman, MD, Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician,
Albert Einstein College of Medicine/ Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY

[pattia]

Very good info for infant foster mommy, me! Good reminders for where babies should be in their development.

[henrythomas]

Thanks for all the detailed information you have provided in this video. I like your way of explaining every point. Keep sharing such great videos in the future also.