Face recognition starts early!
In fact, your baby is born interested in faces. Their brain seeks out and focuses on face-like patterns, and they learn to recognise people as they look at the many different faces that they encounter.[3]
Researchers believe seeking out faces is controlled by an area deep in the brain. When your baby has found a face to look at, they will then use a different area, higher in their brain, to learn about the faces that they see.
Your baby will learn to quickly become familiar with your face as they see you more often, and they will begin to understand the difference between the other faces that they see and learn to recognise different people.
You looking at me?
Babies prefer looking at faces that are looking at them.[4] You'll see that your baby makes eye contact when they look at you – this is the beginning of them understanding the role that looking and gaze plays in communication and relationships.
Your baby will use all their senses to understand the world and you might notice that they show their recognition of your voice and smell by becoming quieter or calmer as you approach.
When you hold your baby, you are likely to hold them so that they can see your face, and they will look at you. These early interactions are an important part of you and your baby getting to know each other and you might start to notice some of your baby’s individual characteristics as you hold and talk to them.[5]
Beginning to understand themselves
Over the coming months, your baby will begin to develop their understanding of themselves, and that they can attract your attention by moving, smiling and crying. They will remain interested in you and in other people, as through watching and copying you they will learn about how people behave in different situations.
Your baby will also develop their ability to regulate their emotions from having your support to do this for the next few months and years. They are dependent on you and watching you helps them to build their relationship with you which will support them to understand themselves and other people as they develop and learn.
References:
[1] Conkbayir, M (2017) Early childhood and neuroscience. Theory, research and implications for practice. London: Bloomsbury.
[2] Farroni, T, Johnson, MH, Menon, E, Sulian, L, Faraguna, D and Csibra, G. (2005) Newborns’ reference for face-relevant stimuli: Effects of contrast polarity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Nov 2005, 102 (47) 17245-17250
[3] Addyman, C (2020) The laughing baby: The extraordinary science behind what makes babies happy. London: Unbound
[4] Farroni, T, Cisbra, G, Simon F and Johnson M (2002) Eye contact detection in humans from birth. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Jul 2002, 99 (14) 9602-9605. Available at: Eye contact detection in humans from birth | PNAS. Accessed on 6th October 2021.
[5] Sheridan, M., Sharma, A and Cockerill, H. (2014). Mary Sheridan’s from birth to five years. Children’s developmental progress. (4th edn.). Abingdon: Routledge.