The Attachment Connection

Starred review from May 1, 2008
Newton, a clinical psychologist specializing in affect regulation, has written a valuable book explaining the latest research on the brain's right hemisphere and how its proper neurobiological development is dependent upon the relationship between infant and primary caregiver. In other words, Newton tackles attachment theory. The text is sometimes dense (this is brain research, after all), but Newton succeeds in summarizing her subject, followed by brain regulation 101, then applies the research from pregnancy through age five. She explains how the brain's right hemisphere develops before the left, step by step, one area laying tracks for the next. The right biochemical mix is needed to create a secure base from which blossoms attention, learning, and exploration. This base is created by enhancing positive emotions and regulating negative states, ideally through one primary caregiver (read: mother, who is pressured a little to play nicely, stick to a schedule, and avoid freaking out). It is only when there is chronic misattunement without repair that a child is at risk. Newton does not lay on the guilt but argues for greater societal understanding of the importance of this developmental period in infancy and for increased support for parents raising young children. Much of this attunement we do automatically (e.g., cooing, carrying baby on the left hip), and we are remindedyet againto forget the flash cards. Instead, try giggling while you blow a raspberry on baby's belly. It's likely to do baby's brainand futurea lot more good. A crucial acquisition for academic libraries and highly recommended for all others.Julianne J. Smith, Ypsilanti Dist. Lib., MI

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