Follow-up Teleconference TelAbility/WATCH

1. Follow-up TeleconferenceTelAbility/WATCH Applying Social Neuroscience to Our Work with Young Children and their Caregivers Betty Rintoul, Ph.D.

2. 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

3. Primary Attachment Through Limbic Communication Caregiver Infant Schore, 2001

4. Limbic Level Communication • Facial expression • Touch • Tone of voice • Music • Smell • Rocking, other rhythmic motion

5. 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

6. 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

7. Tuning In • 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

8. 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

9. Attachment, Learning, and Behavior How Secure Attachment Leads to Healthy Development

10. 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

11. 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

12. Circle of Security © Cooper, Hoffman, Marvin, & Powell, 2000 www.circleofsecurity.org

13. Identity Exploration Security 18 – 36 months 8 - 18 months Birth - 8 months Stages of Development Adapted from the Program for Infant/Toddler Caregivers; www.pitc.org

14. Positive Emotion Why Feeling Good is Good for You

15. Dealing with the Root Emotion > Behavior

16. Survival Negative Emotion Fredrickson, 2001

17. Flexibility Creativity Receptiveness to others Positive Emotion LEARNING! Fredrickson, 2003

18. “Downloading” Emotional States

19. “How you are is as important as what you do.” Jeree Pawl, 1998