Baby facial expressions

I've read many places that a very small baby's smiles (mine is 3w1d) are not
"social smiles" as they haven't yet learned to make that facial
expression/emotional association yet. Presumably they're just random facial
expressions that we attach meaning to and ultimately teach (explicitely or
implicitely) the meaning of to them.

Has anyone else noticed the many facial expressions that very young babies
have that appear to be identical to the expressions one would see on an
adult and are associated with fairly complex emotional and intellectual
reactions? There are times I'm amazed at the expression on his face, since
I can't help but associate it with intellectual function I pretty sure he
can't have.

Where do these come from? Are we born with a set of pre-programmed facial
expressions? I'm pretty sure I've heard/read/seen someplace that there are
many facial expressions which are cross-cultural in nature (like smiling),
which would lead me to believe that might be the case.

It's one (of many?) thing I've found kind of wanting from the baby books.
Lots of info on feeding, etc, but little on the mechanics of neurological
and psychological development.

Shawn Barnhart wrote:

I've read many places that a very small baby's smiles (mine is 3w1d) are not
"social smiles" as they haven't yet learned to make that facial
expression/emotional association yet. Presumably they're just random facial
expressions that we attach meaning to and ultimately teach (explicitely or
implicitely) the meaning of to them.

[...]

It's one (of many?) thing I've found kind of wanting from the baby books.
Lots of info on feeding, etc, but little on the mechanics of neurological
and psychological development.

There are LOTS of books on exactly what you are looking
for. Look up "neurological development" and you will
be overwhelmed by them. There are places for both types
of books.

-- Anita --

"Shawn Barnhart" wrote in message ...
I've read many places that a very small baby's smiles (mine is 3w1d) are not
"social smiles" as they haven't yet learned to make that facial
expression/emotional association yet. Presumably they're just random facial
expressions that we attach meaning to and ultimately teach (explicitely or
implicitely) the meaning of to them.

Has anyone else noticed the many facial expressions that very young babies
have that appear to be identical to the expressions one would see on an
adult and are associated with fairly complex emotional and intellectual
reactions? There are times I'm amazed at the expression on his face, since
I can't help but associate it with intellectual function I pretty sure he
can't have.

Where do these come from? Are we born with a set of pre-programmed facial
expressions? I'm pretty sure I've heard/read/seen someplace that there are
many facial expressions which are cross-cultural in nature (like smiling),
which would lead me to believe that might be the case.

It's one (of many?) thing I've found kind of wanting from the baby books.
Lots of info on feeding, etc, but little on the mechanics of neurological
and psychological development.

Read "The Scientist in the Crib" by Alison Gopnik. It is excellent.

"Shawn Barnhart" writes:

I've read many places that a very small baby's smiles (mine is 3w1d) are not
"social smiles" as they haven't yet learned to make that facial
expression/emotional association yet. Presumably they're just random facial
expressions that we attach meaning to and ultimately teach (explicitely or
implicitely) the meaning of to them.

I don't know about happiness, but I think that newborns express anger
roughly the same way that adults do.

My 2-year-old daughter has been making the same exasperated, "what kind
of idiots are these people, anyway?" expressions when she's angry ever
since she was born.

"Shawn Barnhart" wrote in message ...
I've read many places that a very small baby's smiles (mine is 3w1d) are not
"social smiles" as they haven't yet learned to make that facial
expression/emotional association yet. Presumably they're just random facial
expressions that we attach meaning to and ultimately teach (explicitely or
implicitely) the meaning of to them.

Has anyone else noticed the many facial expressions that very young babies
have that appear to be identical to the expressions one would see on an
adult and are associated with fairly complex emotional and intellectual
reactions? There are times I'm amazed at the expression on his face, since
I can't help but associate it with intellectual function I pretty sure he
can't have.

Where do these come from? Are we born with a set of pre-programmed facial
expressions? I'm pretty sure I've heard/read/seen someplace that there are
many facial expressions which are cross-cultural in nature (like smiling),
which would lead me to believe that might be the case.

It's one (of many?) thing I've found kind of wanting from the baby books.
Lots of info on feeding, etc, but little on the mechanics of neurological
and psychological development.

At 3wk old, facial expression is not fully defined, still in vague
stage. However, i think most babies are born with facial features
which become more defined as they grow, e.g. ears, eyes and basic
shape which change little during life time.

Facial expression in its natural state and in unique situations, i do
believe, it reflects personality and intellectual level as you
mentioned earlier. Facial expression is not culture bound, an human
signature. Kids are born pre-programmed, their facial expressions
advertise their unique personalities which parents know well in their
first few years.

My 5 week old furrowed her brow from the day she was born. I also do this,
and have always felt it was unintentional. People have often remarked that
I look angry when I'm not. I wonder is she going to have the same angry
look? It's very funny to think something like this could be genetic. Good
thing she is adorable.