Are you causing harm to your child?

Your child looks for your eyes... but you’re looking at your phone. And that may affect their developing brain more than you realize. Research in early childhood development, including findings from the Harvard University Center on the Developing Child, describes an important process called serve and return. Here’s how it works: • the child sends a signal - a look, a sound, or a movement • the adult responds - with their voice, facial expressions, or attention • these interactions help build neural connections involved in language, emotional development, and learning When adults are constantly distracted by their phones: • there is less eye contact • there is less face-to-face interaction • a child’s signals are more likely to go unanswered Over time, these repeated small moments can influence development by: • shaping how a child learns to interact with the world • building a sense of safety and security • strengthening - or weakening - emotional attachment * An important point: For a child, simply being near an adult is not enough - they need a response. Through a parent’s reactions, children learn that they are seen, heard, and understood. ! This is not about never picking up your phone. It is about the consistency and quality of your interactions. What specialists recommend: • put your phone away during conversations with your child • make eye contact • talk with them • respond to their signals For a child, being noticed is one of the most fundamental expressions of love and security.