Close interactions and the affectionate gaze between parent and child help shape a baby's brain. But just as importantly, an essential part of Bobby's brain is being built and developed through the positive experiences of face-to-face contact as she and her mother gaze happily at each other.
Bobby (seven months) and her mother are going for a walk down the high street. Bobby is in her buggy facing towards her mother, who smiles and talks to her as they walk along. When her mother stops to chat to someone, Bobby watches her face intently and mirrors her expressions as her mother smiles and laughs as she talks. She draws Bobby's attention to things that she thinks will interest her, like the rocking horse outside the shop, and positions the pram so that Bobby can see it. Bobby shifts her gaze to look at the horse and back again to watch her mother's face.
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