History of “Serve and Return” and a Synthesis of the Literature on Its Impacts on Children’s Health and Development

Abstract

Parent/caregiver sensitivity and responsiveness are important for children’s health and development. The “serve and return” metaphor was created to help providers and caregivers understand the importance of sensitive and responsive early caregiving. In this review, we explain the concept of “serve and return”, outline historical and theoretical principles that culminated in this metaphor, highlight parent and child constructs associated with “serve and return” interactions, and synthesize literature on sensitive and responsive caregiving and children’s health and developmental outcomes. Nurses and other healthcare professionals in public policy, clinical, community, education, and research roles need knowledge of “serve and return” interactions.

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sector.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.