Mothers’ Understanding of Brain Development in Early Childhood: A Qualitative Study in Brazil

Marina Sayuri Yakuwa*, Letícia Pancieri, Sarah Neill, Mello DF de

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

<jats:p> To analyze mothers’ understanding of child brain development and their stimulus practices with children in the first months of life. Qualitative research, with 18 Brazilian mothers, over 18 years of age, used semi-structured interviews to identify their perspectives on important healthcare outcomes, based on reflexive thematic analysis. Mother’s accounts displayed little understanding of child brain development, focusing on the development of neuropsychomotor skills. There was relative uncertainty about the daily care practices that would provide appropriate child stimuli, through which to provide promotion and protection of child development. Maternal knowledge about child brain development indicates a need to strengthen parenting practices in early childhood. Expanding this knowledge and practices can contribute to parental caregivers being immediate providers of child development, to detect vulnerabilities and early difficulties. In addition, this approach would promote involvement in daily care and increase shared responsibility in the construction of strengthened executive functions for good child development. </jats:p>
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages0
JournalSAGE Open
Volume12
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2022

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