Nothing seems to move us quite like a little baby’s face, even if it is simply a photo of a baby. Researchers have discovered exactly why. what: our brains activate areas responsible for empathetic caregiving–to move, speak, and be of service. Read more
![babies, stress, and non-verbal gestures](https://storiesmatter.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/baby-non-verbal-gesture-672x372.jpg)
Early Childhood Stress
We all need to be mindful of toxic levels of stress in our daily life. Although thriving through-out the life cycle occurs when we allow ourselves manageable degrees of stress. The differentiation is vital. Read more
![](https://storiesmatter.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/baby-cara-and-mom-dance-672x372.jpg)
Embodied Self-Awareness
Psychology professor Alan Fogel, author of “Infancy: Infant, Family and Society” (now in its fifth printing) emphasizes that infant self-awareness is at first grounded in the body and its senses—it is “embodied”.
![babies nervous system, cognition, and affect style](https://storiesmatter.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/baby-race-contestants-parents-672x372.jpg)
Nervous System, Cognition & Affect Style
“Early social experience in particular has profound consequences for the developing nervous system.” Richard J. Davidson, Lab for Affective Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison
![hearing impaired toddler attends with a shared gaze](https://storiesmatter.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/baby-teacher-shared-gaze-672x372.jpg)
The Development of Gaze-Direction
Everyone would agree: social awareness is crucial to sound development. Importantly, it begins to arise in infancy, as we learn to attune ourselves to where others are looking.