Three Core Concepts in Early Development: Serve & Return Interaction Shapes in Brain Circuitry

One of the most important experiences in shaping a baby's brain development is "serve and return" interaction between children and significant adults in their lives. Young children naturally reach out for interaction through babbling, facial expressions, and gestures, and adults respond with the same kind of chatter and gesturing back at them. This back-and-forth process is fundamental to the wiring of the brain, especially in the earliest years.

This video is Part II of a three-part series titled "Three Core Concepts in Early Development" from Harvard's Center on the Developing Child and the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child. Healthy development in the early years provides the building blocks for educational achievement, economic productivity, responsible citizenship, lifelong health, strong communities, and successful parenting of the next generation.

Stay tuned for Part III!