Pick Up a Book

Thoughts on neurocognition and reading are the impetus of this writing as I am currently home on leave with my wife, 3-year-old son, and newborn.?

Research has shown that the infant stage (birth to 12 months) is a crucial time for neurocognitive development1. During this stage, it is imperative for infants and parents to have time to together to support attachment2. Absence of attachment in early stages can lead to increased risk of depression, anxiety, and learning/memory impairments in children3.

Regular reading has been shown to reduce the age-related decline of memory and brain function4. Studies have also shown that reading can increase empathy5 and reading out loud to your children may inspire them to read6.

In an age where we are inundated with tech, try choosing a book to support your brain.

See comments below for great books that I have read while at home over the last 6 weeks.

1.??????Perry BD. Traumatized children: how childhood trauma influences brain development. J. California Alliance Mentally Ill. 2000; 11: 48–51.

2.??????Winston R. The importance of early bonding on the long-term mental health and resilience of children. London Journal of Primary Care. 2016; 8:1:12-14.

3.??????Teicher, MD. Wounds that time won’t heal: the neurobiology of child abuse. Cerebrum: The Dana Forum on brain science. 2000;2: 50–67

4.??????Wilson RS, Boyle PA, Yu L, Barnes LL, Schneider JA, Bennett DA. Life-span cognitive activity, neuropathologic burden, and cognitive aging. Neurology. 2013;81(4):314-321.

5.??????Kidd DC, Castano E. Reading literary fiction improves theory of mind. Science. 2013;342(6156):377-380.

6.??????https://www.scholastic.com/content/dam/KFRR/PastReports/KFRR2015_5th.pdf?affiliate_id=21181&clickId=3669293336