The Temporal Relation between Regression and Transition Periods in Early Infancy

Abstract

According to the literature about developmental changes, periods of instability and disorganization in the social and emotional behavior in both human and non-human primate, infancy precedes major developmental achievements or transitions (Heimann, 2003; Sparrow & Brazelton, 2006). Developmental investigators have observed a more frequent and prolonged crying, clinging and bids for physical contact with mother during these periods of instability and disorganization. Some authors, according to Horwich (1974), called these periods regression periods. Rijt-Plooij and Plooij (1992) claimed that 10 regression periods could be identified during the first 20 months of human life. In an early study, Sadurní and Rostan (2002) confirmed the presence of 8 such regression periods during the first year of life of 18 Catalan babies. Their 8 regression periods were comparable to the first 8 of the 10 regression periods found by Van de Rijt Plooij and Plooij. The aim of the present study is to see whether the regression periods that we found are temporally related to some transition. We define a transition as the occurrence of a new developmental change in a child. In the present study we have used non-analyzed data from the same 18 Catalan babies (10 boys and 8 girls) as mentioned in our earlier published study on regression periods. The age of these babies was between 3 weeks and 14 months. Using a microgenetic methodology we have found 8 transitions periods in the first year of life. We have also observed a temporal relation between the regressions periods found earlier and the transition periods reported here.

Outlining the Windows of Achievement of Intersubjective Milestones in Typically Developing Toddlers

“…Sadurní et al. () used these established 10 regression periods as hallmarks to investigate whether they were related to rapid changes or leaps in child development. Their study corroborates the hypothesis that was already held by Brazelton and colleagues (Brazelton & Greenspan, ; Brazelton & Sparrow, ): “Development proceeds through a series of periods, or touchpoints, disorganization followed by reorganization that incorporate new functional capacities and skills” (Sparrow, , p. 18).…”

“…A European intercultural study of infantile regression periods (ISIRP Research Group) presented good evidence supporting these age‐linked regression periods (Lindahl, Heimann, & Ullstadius, ; Sadurní & Rostan, , ; Woolmore & Richer, ). Using microgenetic methodology, eight transition periods linked to regression periods in the first year of life have been found (Sadurní, Pérez Burriel, & Plooij, ).…”

Changing Behavior Using Control Theory

“…The process of reorganization has been examined in computer simulations (Powers, 2008). Further studies have inferred that the process of reorganization is occurring when a period of poor performance precedes a sudden "step change" in ability during skill acquisition in infants (Sadurní, Burriel, & Plooij, 2010) and in experimental tasks (Robertson & Glines, 1985).…”

Adaptive behavior: Its history, concepts, assessment, and applications.

“…Gesell described behavioral regression as a process that allows young children to gain control, stability, and integrity before continuing to master new skills (Gesell et al, 1940). As infants develop new skills and progress through transition and regression periods, their behavior destabilizes as they temporarily exhibit previously developed skills, which is generally then followed by the exhibition of a new skill (Sadurní, Perez Burriel, & Plooij, 2010). Researchers have identified several distinct periods in infancy during which infants typically exhibit periods of regression before developing new skills (Van De Rijt-Plooij & Plooij, 1992.…”