Prenatal auditory development: the perspective of prenatal and postnatal stimulation in sensitive periods of child development

Abstract

Different types of research showed that the fetal auditory cortex becomes mature during the second trimester of pregnancy, indicating functional fetal hearing in this period. Such indicators impose the importance and possibilities of prenatal and early postnatal stimulation.  The paper discusses the theoretical basis and the role of prenatal auditory development. In addition, the concept of “critical” or “sensitive” periods in child development is discussed as the most important periods in terms of the defined stimulation application. The paper also highlighted the positive effects of prenatal and early postnatal stimulation in the improvement of fetal and child psychophysiological capacity.  This approach enables a better understanding of relations between prenatal auditory development and early stimulation, and closer determines sensitive periods for a child's abilities development. Accordingly, the paper points to the importance of early stimulation which is reflected in evidence confirming it enables proper psychophysiological child development and contributes to the prevention of disorders in early childhood and later life.