The Background of Dr. Barnard’s Theory
Dr. Barnard found that a rocking motion improved infants’ weight gain and motor and sensory functions. Today rocking chairs are standard in hospital nurseries and neonatal intensive care units.- Dr. Barnard founded (2001) the Center on Infant Mental Health and Development at the University of Washington to promote research, education, and practice and to advance policy related to the social and emotional development of all children during the first five years.
- Served as a board member of Zero to Three, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1977 that supports early childhood development.
The Child Interaction Theory
Healthy child development is dependent upon the parent/caregiver responding to signals from the child in a loving and dependable manner, starting from the moment of birth. (Qaiser, 2014).
- Major concepts include an intersection of Caregiver, Environment, and Child that focuses on the growth and development of children and mother-infant relationships. Individual characteristics of each member influence the parent-infant system and adaptive behavior modify those characteristics to meet the needs of the system.
Nursing Paradigm Defined & Strengths
- Person: to comprehend auditory, visual, and tactile stimuli; and then put this information to good use.
- Health: family provides the basic preventative health care.
- Environment: places, people, objects, sounds, and sights.
- Nursing: education facilitates changes.
In Barnard’s model, a person is not only able to comprehend auditory, visual, and tactile stimuli but in being able to put this information into meaningful use. To promote the health of this relationship, the main necessity is the family and the way it interacts. Through a successful parent-child relationship, it is a way of preventative health care, which will avoid behavioral issues as the child grows. Barnard also depicts anything that can come into play within the environment of the parent and child. Animate and inanimate objects within the environment can affect the relationship. Lastly, nurses promote healthy environments and educate. We encourage bonding among newborns and their parents and ensure that the changing environment is adaptable.
Parent-Child Interaction Model
Strengths: Dr. Barnard’s model displays how simple concepts are important and our social interactions are integral to the success or improvement of behavioral and mental development.
Weaknesses: Some criticisms include how Dr. Barnard’s theory is population-specific but not according to disciplines, which can also impact early interactions if someone is not trained with infants. There’s also little information about the maintenance of a stable environment.
Additional Information & References
- About Dr. Kathryn Barnard & Pioneer in Infant Health
- Dr. Barnard also served on the boards of the World Association for Infant Mental Health
- Kathryn Benard, An innovator in Care and Development of Newborns by New York Times
- Great outline of Dr. Barnard’s theory and concepts by Nursology
