Still Face Experiment with Dads
“The still face experiment” developed by Dr. Ed Tronick in the 1970s asks caregivers to engage in normal responsive interactions, then become unresponsive (put on a “still face”) for a few minutes, and then return to their normal repsonsive interactions with the child. During the period when the caregiver is unresponsive, the child tries to get the caregiver’s attention and then failing to do so begins to show signs of physical and emotional distress. When the caregiver becomes responsive again we see the connection between the caregiver and child restored. The experiment shows how much babies depend on their caregivers’ responses to help them feel safe, trust the people in their life, and explore the world.Read More →








