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After birth, intense processes of brain growth and development continue, with new brain cells being created, traveling to their final destinations, and gradually forming a dense network that interconnects them.
How Sensory Experiences Shape the Brain
This process is influenced by genetics and early experiences (sensory inputs and stimuli) to which the child is exposed.
Daily routines such as feeding, changing, touching, and communicating with the child are of utmost importance.
Daily routines such as feeding, changing, touching, and communicating with the child are of utmost importance. It is crucial that the stimuli are not too intense or unpleasant.
Prolonged exposure to low-level stress, or even short-term exposure to extreme discomfort, negatively impacts brain development.
Appropriate motor stimulation also positively affects other aspects of the child’s health, including emotional, cognitive, and visual development. Conversely, stimulation of visual development benefits other areas of development as well.
What Do Newborns See?
After birth, visual acuity is quite limited, with the child having the sharpest vision of objects 20-30 cm away, approximately the distance from the mother’s face during breastfeeding. It is believed that initially, children can clearly distinguish black and white, and then around 4-5 months of age, they begin to see red.
…stimulation of visual development benefits other areas of development as well.
The image is projected onto the retina, and then the optic nerve carries the stimulus to the brain, where the image is formed and analyzed. High-contrast images provide stronger stimulation to the visual pathway and promote its development.
Strengthening Bonding and Communication in Newborns
Additionally, if a parent speaks while showing images, it enhances emotional bonding and strengthens the child’s communication skills.
According to all available data, high-contrast images cannot cause over stimulation in the child.
Therefore my warmest recommendation.
Prof.dr.sc., Primarius Milivoj Jovancevic
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Prof.dr.sc., Primarius Milivoj Jovancevic
Pediatrician famous for his book “First years: Why are they so important?”; His main area of interest is the organization of pediatric primary care and preventive mental health programs for newborns.
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