A study by child psychologists and neuroscientists at Washington University School of Medicine found that schools age children whose mothers nurtured them early in life have a larger hippocampus than kids who weren’t as nurtured by their parents. This research emphasizes the lasting impact of parental love on a child’s cognitive and emotional well-being.
The hippocampus is the part of the brain that supports your child’s memory, learning, and stress response. According to the study, this portion of the brain is substantially larger — up to 10 percent larger — in kids who are nurtured more.
This may be the first scientific proof that parental love could change brain anatomy in the part of the brain that assists in learning.
While the research specifically looked at moms’ nurturing (which includes hugs), the scientists noted that the positive benefits from hugs and other nurturing behavior are likely to be the same with any primary caregiver, including dads and grandparents.
- Nurturing matters: Children who receive more nurturing care from their parents tend to have a larger hippocampus, allowing them to learn more and have better memories.
- Hippocampus benefits: This brain region plays a crucial role in memory, learning, and helping children deal with stress.
- Size difference: The study suggests a potential 10% increase in hippocampus size for children with more nurturing experiences.
- Love’s impact: This research could be a significant step in understanding how parental love can physically influence a child’s brain development.
- Beyond moms: While the study focused on mothers, the positive effects likely extend to nurturing behaviors from any caregiver, including fathers and grandparents!