Face to face interactions play a crucial role in attachment and bonding between caregivers and newborns. COVID-19 has undoubtedly taken a toll on that, since face masks were introduced as a means to help contain the spread of the virus. In a research study, “Face sensitive brain responses in the first year of life”, scientists showed that infants are able to distinguish face from non-face stimuli as early as 3 months of age. Scientists investigated what effect do masks have on facial recognition development and what are some ways to bring back the face to face interactions while keeping everyone as safe as possible in times of COVID-19.
In the research paper “Face-sensitive brain responses in the first year of life”, researchers studied how the face recognition areas of the brain are active as early as infancy. The researchers used images of faces and an EEG technique to see whether infants have facial recognition regions and at what age. They found that starting at about 3 months of age and until about 12 months old, infants were able to generate ERP responses to faces. THe ERPs had different amplitude and cortical location, depending on whether infants saw an image of an object or a face, which signaled that there is a specific region in their brain that is developing for facial recognition. This study showed that there is a very crucial facial recognition region development in the first year of a child’s life.
Face masks may prevent the facial recognition from developing in infants, since face measles prevent the infant from distinguishing a face from other visual stimuli. There are two theories that describe how face to face interaction may impact neurodevelopment in infants: Bioecological theory and attachment theory. Bioecological theory states that human development involves relationships that a child has, which inevitably impact their development and ability to become their best self. The study implies that inability to have fulfilling face to face interactions from early infancy may have a negative impact on the relationships a newborn forms with people around him or her. Attachment theory suggests that mothers and their newborns need to develop a bond as soon as possible after birth. Face to face interactions allow for immediate contact and leads to the most successful attachment. Researchers inferred that although safety that the face masks provide is most important, they may negatively impact the attachment and bonding process that is assessed as early as 12 months of age.
A face mask is thought to create a physical barrier between the infants and their caregivers through inability to connect and communicate through face expressions effectively, due to the lower half of the face being covered. The global structure of the face is not complete, which may impact the infant from reaching his or her full potential in neurobehavioral development. However, there are some approaches caregivers and healthcare providers can take to lessen the effect of face masks on face recognition development. They can put pictures of their face on their clothing where the infant can see it, to familiarize the infant with their face and reduce the physical barrier of the face mask. Caregivers can also opt for a clear mask, which will complete the global face shape for the infant, while keeping both parties safe from the virus. Infants require mindful attention, eye contact, and clear communication to develop a bond with their caregivers, all of which are possible to reach while wearing a mask. In conclusion, although face masks present a lot of challenges to infants, there are many ways caregivers and healthcare providers can make it easier for them to learn and develop to reach their full potential.
Work Cited
Conte, Stefania & Richards, John & Guy, Maggie & Xie, Wanze & Roberts, Jane. (2020). Face-sensitive brain responses in the first year of life. NeuroImage. 211. 116602. 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116602.
Green, J., Staff, L., Bromley, P., Jones, L., & Petty, J. (2021). The implications of face masks for babies and families during the COVID-19 pandemic: A discussion paper. Journal of neonatal nursing : JNN, 27(1), 21–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnn.2020.10.005
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