Mommy-baby interaction in the first year can predict behavior
It seems that what happens on the first year of a baby’s life is very influential on his/her behavior as he/she grows up. And mommy plays a very important role in all of this. According to a study by psychologists at the University of Chicago, mom’s parenting style and baby’s temperament can predict how it will behave in later childhood. Specifically, they looked at the following during the first year of a child’s life:
Baby’s temperament: was baby fussy, predictable, generally happy, active, fearful?
Mommy’s parenting skills: Was mommy responsive to baby’s needs? Did mommy intellectually stimulate baby? Did mommy use physical punishment, e.g. spanking?
Then they looked at the following behavioral problems of children 4 to 13 years old, namely: Does the child cheat or tell lies? Does the child have problems with teachers as well as peers? Is the child habitually misbehaving at home and at school?
What they found out is that babies who were not fussy and who had mommies who provided intellectual stimulation in year 1 are the least likely to have behavioral problems later.
Now, don’t jump at me if you disagree. I am only reporting the research results published in the June issue of Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology.
Besides, although it’s nice to know that mommy has top billing, I know for example, that many fathers would shout “Hey, we do our part, too.” And I agree.
In addition, I feel that the 2nd, 3rd, (and so on) years are just as important. Raising a child is a continuing process and parents’ influence don’t stop at the first year only but will continue even till adulthood.
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