Two Open Windows: Infant and Parent Neurobiologic Change

In this paper, the authors highlight evidence in support of investments in both parents and children during the paired sensitive period of early life and the transition to parenting. A sensitive period is a specific and limited time when the individual is especially open to environmental inputs, typically because the brain and body are rapidly developing or reorganizing during that time window. Importantly, the openness to experience that occurs during sensitive periods provides both opportunity and vulnerability.