Development and Affective Regulation

As the baby’s brain develops, it undergoes distinct phases called windows of opportunity, or critical periods. During such phases, when the brain is stimulated by the right epigenetic event or is supported by a right environment at the right time, it will develop an observable characteristic (phenotype), expressing a genotype. If critical events do not occur at the right time, the development will not be fully accomplished or may not even show. In the future, it may eventually develop, at the cost of behavioral effort and an enriched environment or may never happen. The mother’s social transactions with the baby are among the most important stimuli for the baby’s social development. The mother develops a floating regulation mechanism, which will allow the baby to react with optimal intensity and overcome difficult moments without too much cost. This will allow for the affect regulation, a condition for health regulation and well-being. These mechanisms are expected to be assimilated by the child, giving him tools for adapting to future circumstances.