what is the significance of touch in young children's lives?

Question

is it important for infant?

Answer 1

The most physiological significance to a young child is experienced through sound. Research has shown that an unborn child responds to sound while in the womb.

Upon birth, a born child experiences the first touch of their life: that of the doctor, nurse, nurse-practioner, mid-wife; or, in the instance of the mother personally delivering the child, the mother. In that instant, touch becomes significant.

Assuming the child is never touched again, it is impossible to ascertain what significance touch has to that child. Assuming the child is held, coddled, and receiving tactile contact with another, that child will become acclimated to the sensation known as "touch".

Many children equate "touch" with a soft, loving hand; someone who strokes their forehead with tender, loving strokes. Unfortunately, many children equate "touch" with someone who adminsters pain; slapping their hands when they refuse to eat what is being served for supper, pushing their heads into the wet sheets when they wet the bed.

I believe holding and hugging a child is very important. Unfortunately, Federal and State Education Departments have directed and forbidden teachers to put their arms around students to comfort them, show them some love and compassion, through fear of being sued for "inappropriate" behavior. The immediate victim is the child. The ultimate victim is society.

Answer 2

Just as Baby Poots says!! I worked as a therapist with very troubled teenagers and families for 21 yrs. We, as a group, studied "Bonding" and the essential part of touching and holding. I found an old film of Dr. Spitz, in the '20's maybe, studied a nursery for babies of women prisoners. They were clean, fed, etc., but no body ever picked them up. They found that many wasted away and died, evidently from the lack of physical contact and holding. This was termed as "marasmus" and found that the lack of touching and holding seemed to create a state of isolation from the physical world and seemed to produce hallucinations, profound depression, malnourishment even tho' they were adequately fed, and many times ultimate death. Stimulation and contact is essential to an infant's healthy development! Muscle development, spacial awareness, IQ--EVERYTHING! DEFINITELY HOLD and ENJOY YOUR BABY! Doman and Delacoto sp? also found that moving and exercising their arms and legs help coordination. And, as above, TALK with your baby as you're interacting with h/her! The time goes so quickly, ENJOY AND LOVE the child all it's life!