Core Concept #2: "Serve & Return" Interaction Shapes Brain Circuitry--A Closer Look

The Center on the Developing Child's "Serve and Return" (2014d) article (2014d) sums up the importance of this reciprocal relationship as follows: “Because responsive relationships are both expected and essential, their absence is a serious threat to a child's development and well-being. Healthy brain architecture depends on a sturdy foundation built by appropriate input from a child’s senses and stable, responsive relationships with caring adults. If an adult’s responses to a child are unreliable, inappropriate, or simply absent, the developing architecture of the brain may be disrupted, and subsequent physical, mental, and emotional health may be impaired. The persistent absence of ‘serve and return’ interaction acts as a 'double whammy' for healthy development: not only does the brain not receive the positive stimulation it needs, but the body’s stress response is activated, flooding the developing brain with potentially harmful stress hormones” (para. 2).

As you can see, the first few years of life are a crucial time for brain growth and development. It is during these early years that "the brain has the most plasticity, or capacity for change" (Center on the Developing Child, 2014b, para. 7). In a healthy environment with ongoing "serve and return" interactions, this is a time of excellent opportunity for building strong brain architecture. However, if a child is not consistently in a safe, responsive environment, this can become a time of great vulnerability for a child.

We know that brains never stop developing, and it is never too late to build new neural circuits; however, earlier is always better when establishing a strong foundation for brain architecture. The brain’s plasticity during the early years makes it much easier (and less costly) to support the formation of strong brain circuits early on, rather than waiting to intervene later (Center for the Developing Child, 2014b). Hence the importance of early childhood education and intervention!

Developing the capabilities of adult caregivers through ongoing support, encouragement, and education can help strengthen the relationships that are essential to a child's early brain development.

It is important to note that adults may not always be able to engage in the optimal "serve and return" interactions with young children because they are dealing with significant stressors in their lives and are unable to provide adequate care for another. Common issues such as poverty, abuse, and addiction are just a few of the stressors that parent or care providers may be facing. It is important to be aware of these factors and to help families get connected to services in the community that can help alleviate such stressors. A recurrent breakdown in the reciprocal "serve and return" interactions between adult caregivers and young children often has lifelong, negative implications for the child.