11.2 Flashcards
Nervous system development: when does the human brain show rapid growth in gray matter / collection of neural cell bodies?
In the latter months of pregnancy, and for the first 18 months of life
Does a 2-3 y/o have about twice as many synapses as an adult?
Yes, and there’s actually excess - cells and connections that are “not used” become systematically deleted
Importance of brain wiring
Neurons and synapses working well => dendritic branching
- role of experience in wiring the brain
Note: children raised in stimulating and enriched environment => more connections due to exploring more things
Motor development: why are babies relatively helpless (mobility-wise)?
Proportion => emphasis on the brain structure compared to arms, legs, etc…’
What is motor development driven by?
Our human genetic blueprint => hence MZ twins reach milestones at similar timing, e.g. walking
2 month old infants: motor development
Head to toe: control muscles of neck and shoulders to raise their head / look around
3 months: rolling and sitting
Development of the muscles of the torso
Between 6-9 months, then first birthday
Crawling (skipped sometimes), then muscles of the legs developed by first birthday to support the weight of the children to stand or walk
2nd direction of motor development: begins at midline and proceeds outward
3 months => bat at objects above (e.g. mobile)
5 months => grasp objects
Early motor milestones largely driven by biology => respond to experience
Some cultures, due to safety concerns, restrict the movement opportunities of young children
=> slows down motor milestones
Biology and environment/experience interact to produce an outcome
Girls with high levels of CAH still show greater interest towards masculine toys, despite more positive reinforcement from their parents when playing with “girl” toys
Changes in the way children process information and solve problems?
- interacting with brain development and the child’s ability to move and explore the environment
Note: cognition changes with age and experience
How do social and emotional behaviors change during infancy and childhood?
Temperament.
Individual differences in temperament have their roots in genetics => supported by similar differences among infant rhesus monkeys
Three categories of temperament:
S_rgen_y / ex_rover_ion
Nega_ive af_ect / m__d
Ef_ortf_l cont_ol
Surgency / extroversion: happy active, vocal, social
Negative affect / mood: angry, fearful, frustrated
Effortful control: ability to pay attention and inhibit behavior
