2. Development in Infancy Flashcards
when does infancy begin and end?
begins at birth and ends around second birthday
how is infancy compared to other parts of the life span?
more rapid growth and more discontinuity
what is the predictability of the developmental changes in infancy?
most predictable stage in the life span both in timing and in nature
what senses has a new born developed?
tough, smell, taste and hearring
what sense is the newborn yet to develop?
vision
describe the sense of touch in a newborn.
Reflexes are present prenatally and responsive to touch, so the newborn’s acute tough and pain sensitive are no surprise
describe the sense of smell in a newborn
Newborn’s olfactory (smell) sensitivity is highly acute. They can distinguish the smell of their own mother’s milk from that of other nursing mothers (MadFarlane, 1975)
describe the sense of taste in a newborn
Foetuses have a keen sense of taste and swallow more amniotic fluid if it is sweetened: after birth a preference for sweet flavours remains
describe the sense of hearing in a newborn
Foetuses have acute hearing. At birth there is a temporary decline owing to the fluid in the inner ear, but this usually clears in a few days. One-month-olds can distinguish fine sound contrasts such as ‘bah’ versus ‘pah’ (Eimas et al, 1971)
describe the sense of vision in a newborn
the newborn’s visual organs and muscles are immature, precluding gaze control and focus. Visual acuity reaches the adult (20/20) level at age 6 months
what are the survival reflexes in an infant?
breathing reflex, Rooting reflex, sucking reflex, swallowing reflex
describe the breathing reflex
repetitive inhalation and expiration
describe the development of the breathing reflex
permanent, although becomes partly voluntary
describe the significance of the breathing reflex
provides oxygen and expels carbon dioxide
describe the rooting reflex
turning of cheek in direction of touch
describe the development of the rooting reflex
weaken and disappears by 6 months
describe the significance of the rooting reflex
orients child to breast or bottle
describe the sucking reflex
strong sucking motions with throat, mouth and tongue
describe the development of the sucking reflex
gradually comes under voluntary control
describe the significance of the sucking reflex
allows child to drink
describe the swallowing reflex
swallowing motions in throat
describe the development of the swallowing reflex
permanent, although becomes partly voluntary
describe the significance of the swallowing reflex
allows child to take in food and avoid choking
what are the primitive reflexes in infants?
moro reflex, graspin reflex, stepping reflex
describe the moro reflex
In response to loud noise, child throws arms outward, arches back, then brings arms together as if to hold something
describe the development of the moro reflex
arm movements and arching disappear by six months, but startle reaction persists for life
describe the significance of the moro reflex
indications normal development of the nervous system
describe the grasping reflex
curling fingers around any small object put into palm
describe the development of the grasping reflex
disappears by 3 months; voluntary grasping appears by around 6 months
describe the significance of the grasping reflex
indicates normal development of nervous system
describe the stepping reflex
if held upright, infant lifts leg as if to step
describe the development of the stepping reflex
disappears by 8 weeks, but later if practiced
describe the significance of the stepping reflex
indicates normal development of nervous system
what are motor skills
voluntary movements of the body or parts of the body
what are gross motor skills
movement of large muscles - arms, legs and torse
what are fine motor skills
movement of small muscles such as fingers, toes
what are the two trends that motor development follows?
cephalocaudal and proximodistal
what is cephalocaudal
motor development from head to tail
what is proximodistal
motor development from near to far
what is the main action a healthy child can do at 1 month old?
chin up
what is the main action a healthy child can do at 2 months
lifts head 45 degrees
what is the main action a healthy child can do at 3 months
grasp a rattle
what is the main action a healthy child can do at 4 months
Sits propped with head steady
what is the main action a healthy child can do at 5 months
rolls over
what is the main action a healthy child can do at 6 months
sits in highchair without propping
what is the main action a healthy child can do at 7 months
stands when propping
what is the main action a healthy child can do at 8 months
Sits without support for one minute or more