An expert

The easiest and quickest way to cause depression and alienation in an infant or child is not to touch it, hold it or carry it on your body, says Dr. James Prescott. For 18 years Dr. Prescott was a research scientist at the National Institute for Mental Health in the United States.

Extensive scientific research has documented that these forms of sensory stimulation (touch and movement) during the formative periods of brain development are absolutely essential for normal growth and development of the brain and behaviour.

A rich array of sensory stimuli, of all the senses, maximises development of the brain. But if we do not get the sensory stimulation we equate with love, bonding and intimacy during the formative periods of brain development, we're going to be impaired, if not crippled in our ability to experience and express this "language of love" later in life.

When it comes to "love" all the senses are not equal - ask any newborn infant or any lover who is never touched or held!

If a child has not been exposed to these specific sensory (love) experiences the brain cell pathways needed to experience and to express love are not fully developed.

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