How to Think (Like) Babies

Ross A. ThompsonUniversity of California, Davis

Presentation to the Boone County Community Services Dept. Children's Services Fund Board

Professional Development Series, Sept. 12, 2017

survival

statistical learning

"I can't stop myself!"

Paris

???

www.parentdish.co.uk

???

• Is the world safe or dangerous?

• Who is there to protect me?

• How do I communicate with them?

BLOOMING PRUNING

Is the world safe or dangerous?

Who will protect me?

How do I communicate with them?

hello baby

bonjour bébéתינוקשלום

hola bebé

Привет ребенка

γειά σου 2ωρό

cześć kochanie hallo Baby

hej barn

ciao bambino

hujambo mtoto

alo ti bebe halo bayi

สวสัดเีด็กนอ้ย

körpə salam

bebek merhaba

Hei baby

Olá bebê

alo ti bebe

hola nadó

طفلمرحبا

How do I communicate with them?

16 mos. 24 mos. 36 mos.

CumulativeVocabulary(Words)

Child s Age (Months)

200

600

1200

• Is the world safe or dangerous?

• Who is there to protect me?

• How do I communicate with them?

• Is the world safe or dangerous?early chronic stress and threat

• Who is there to protect me?• How do I communicate with them?

• Is the world safe or dangerous?early chronic stress and threat

• Who is there to protect me?secure, reliable attachments

• How do I communicate with them?

• Is the world safe or dangerous?early chronic stress and threat

• Who is there to protect me?secure, reliable attachments

• How do I communicate with them?language in social interaction

Statistical learning

Infants are captivated by what is new and different BUT

they are also sensitive to things that go together-- in the language they hear-- in the events they observe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8v7xvTsZj4

Statistical learning

Infants are captivated by what is new and different BUT

they are also sensitive to things that go together-- in the language they hear-- in the events they observe-- in social interaction

because knowing what goes together contributes to understanding and makes them more predictable

quizlet.comheath.heraldtribune.com

Self-regulation develops very slowly

Dorsolateral prefrontalcortex

“I can’t stop myself!”

THIS IS NEWAND EXCITING!

©Disney

• captivated by what is new and different (it’s why she learns so quickly)• attentive to the regularities of everyday experience (statistical learning),

such as in language and social interaction • inquisitive and experimental, developing ideas and intuitive theories• warm, responsive relationships are critical to emotional well-being• depends on adult assistance to manage impulses, emotions, attention• sensitive to situations that are threatening or stressful• can become overwhelmed by too much stimulation

To think like a baby,

imagine that you are in Paris for the first time,

you are madly in love,

and you’ve just had three double-espressos

What does this mean for us?

???

www.parentdish.co.uk

16 mos. 24 mos. 36 mos.

Cumulative Vocabulary(Words)

High income

Middle income

Low income

Child s Age (Months)

200

600

1200

Hart & Risley (1995)

Thanks!

Ross Thompsonrathompson@ucdavis.edu