"Sometimes parents help. Sometimes institutions help—like a Johnson and Johnson scholarship helped me through medical school. Sometimes we personally help each other. Sometimes we collectively help each other—as in public higher education where tuition is subsidized (as it was when I went for a mere $100 per semester). But very few times do we—or can we—make it on our own!" No we need each other’s help to be successful!
Today we suffer from material poverty—especially and disproportionately among the children. But also today we suffer from time poverty! There’s no time for nurturing our children. And our children need that!
"Social development, not just biologic factors, influence brain development. The more social experiences you have the more brain connections (dendrites) will be formed. Through social connections, you make them; through deprivations, you lose them—if you don’t maintain them."
"We’re talking about the kind of ‘learning’ experiences that come from loving a child—holding, talking, interacting with a child. It’s not just doing the thing—like feeding, it’s the experience that’s important."
Dr. Zuckerman demonstrated his contention in a video where the mother smiled and played interactively with her baby. The baby was engaged, smiling, clearly experiencing a pleasurable, nurturing learning experience. In another scene the same mother was instructed to sit "still-fare" and not interact with that baby. Very quickly, the baby became visibly uncomfortable and distressed. It seemed to turn it’s concerns, apprehensions inward. It was as uncomfortable for an observer to watch as it appeared to be for the baby.
Dr. Zuckerman urged, "We should read less books about what to do than reading the baby."
Dr. Zuckerman also urged parents and caregivers to read to babies at a very early age. He said that babies’ appreciation of books begins at about six months of age. He spoke of the Reach Out and Read program he enthusiastically promoted. The program has three facets:
1) Train pediatricians about Reach Out and Read
2) Pediatricians give books to each of their patients
3) Volunteer readers in pediatricians’ waiting rooms read to babies.
In closing, Dr. Zuckerman extolled the value of pediatricians and Head Start working in partnership and collaboration. He said, "I and my colleagues look forward to working with you." Together, let us keep our eye on the ball, which is helping children!"