📖 Teacher Pei-Yi’s Education Observation Notes | Understanding Infant Communication in Three Minutes

In her work "The First Three Years of Life," Montessori repeatedly emphasizes that infants are experts in communication! Don't assume babies can't communicate or understand adult emotions. In three minutes, learn about a baby's superpowers!

The "Fallacious Thinking" of adults is the primary culprit behind a baby's stubbornness and anxiety.

As early as the 1970s, Dr. Edward Tronick, Director of the Child Development Unit at Harvard University and a researcher of Attachment Theory, conducted and published the "Still Face Experiment." This world-renowned experiment demonstrates that the reciprocal relationships of attachment theory begin in infancy. It also validates that a "still face" in social interactions triggers negative emotions and behaviors in infants.

Findings from the experiment:

• ▶ Babies are naturally social beings.
• ▶ The stress caused by being ignored is expressed through anxiety or crying.
• ▶ Infant communication is clear and direct; emotions say it all!
• ▶ During the period where a mother is unresponsive, the baby's heart rate accelerates and stress hormones increase. If this persists, cells in critical parts of the brain may die. The harm caused cannot be compensated by any amount of money.

Attachment Theory emphasizes that attachment is built on interaction rather than just physiological needs like eating and sleeping. It focuses on "responsiveness," which is bidirectional. Regardless of who starts the interaction, a good response creates positive engagement. However, if a message goes unanswered, it hinders the positive cycle. For the baby, trust in others fades bit by bit, potentially leading to a lifetime of anxiety and a lack of self-worth.

From these results, we learn: interact with your baby earnestly and authentically, and you will understand their communication!

🎯 Video link to the Still Face Experiment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNq6ZEd09mo

Teacher Pei-Yi, Montessori, The First Three Years of Life, Still Face Experiment, Attachment Theory, Understanding Children, Infant Communication