Baby basics: Does how you parent hinder your child's brain development?

Published: Tuesday, Jan. 15 2013 4:10 p.m. MST

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Summary

Common social practices and modern beliefs about parenting may prevent healthy brain and social development in children, researchers say. But the debate rages on what works and what doesn't. It's true: Kids don't come with a manual.

Narvaez sees a generation of college students who are less confident, for one thing. “I think along the way we’ve undermined their autonomy, their self-control, their independence. .... They need certain things at certain times that help optimize intelligence — emotional and intellectual.”

The symposium experts said it’s not too late to change the trajectory.

“The right brain, which governs much of our self-regulation, creativity and empathy, can grow throughout life,” Narvaez said. “The right brain grows through full-body experience like rough-and-tumble play, dancing or freelance artistic creation. So at any point, a parent can take up a creative activity with a child and they can grow together.”

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John C. C.

Payson, UT

I know it is stressful when children cry at night, but it is part of a parent's duty to take care of the child. We can deal with a lack of sleep. We are the adults, after all.

I decided to do the night diaper changes for my wife, More..

6:51 p.m. Jan. 26, 2013
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andyjaggy

American Fork, UT

My wife and I had our first child and we did NOT want to do the cry it out. Every doctor we talked to told us to just let her cry. After 9 months of not sleeping we finally gave in and let her cry for the night. We didn't like it, and we hope we More..

3:21 p.m. Jan. 24, 2013
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B ob

Richmond, CA

Bottle feeding is as cuddly as breastfeeding, perhaps even closer. When you bottle feed you hold the baby as close as breastfeeding AND can look the baby in the eye while signing or talking.

3:30 p.m. Jan. 24, 2013
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