Chapter 4 Flashcards
cephalocaudal principle
the principle that growth follows a
pattern that begins with the head
and upper body parts and then
proceeds down to the rest of the
body
proximodistal principle
the principle that development
proceeds from the center of the
body outward
principle of hierarchical
integration
the principle that simple skills
typically
develop separately and
independently but are later integrated
into more complex skills
principle of the independence of
systems
the principle that different body
systems grow at different rates
neuron
the basic nerve cell of the nervous
system
synapse
the gap at the connection between
neurons, through which neurons
chemically communicate with one
another
nervous system
is composed of
the brain and the nerves that extend throughout the body
synaptic pruning
the elimination of neurons
as the result of nonuse or lack of
stimulation
myelin
a fatty substance that helps
insulate
neurons and speeds the
transmission of nerve impulses
cerebral cortex
the upper layer of the brain
shaken baby syndrome
in which an infant is shaken by a caretaker or parent,
usually out of frustration or anger due to a baby’s crying. Shaking can lead the brain to
rotate within the skull, causing blood vessels to tear and destroying the intricate connections
between neurons
plasticity
the degree to which a developing
structure or behavior is modifiable
due to experience
sensitive period
a specific, but limited, time, usually
early in an organism’s life,
during which the organism is
particularly susceptible to environmental
influences relating to some
particular facet of development
rhythms
repetitive, cyclical patterns of
behavior
state
the degree of awareness an infant
displays to both internal and
external stimulation
Awake states
Alert
Non-alert waking
Fuss
Cry
Alert
Attentive or scanning, the infant’s eyes are open, bright, and shining
Non-alert waking
Eyes are usually open but dull and unfocused. Varied, but typically
high motor activity.
Fuss
Fussing is continuous or intermittent, at low levels
cry
Intense vocalizations occurring singly or in succession
Transition states between sleep and waking
drowse
daze
sleep-wake transition
drowse
Infant’s eyes are heavy-lidded but opening and closing slowly. Low
level of motor activity.
daze
Open but glassy and immobile eyes. State occurs between episodes
of alert and drowse. Low level of activity.
sleep wake transition
Behaviors of both wakefulness and sleep are evident. Generalized
motor activity; eyes may be closed or they open and close rapidly.
State occurs when baby is awakening.
Sleep states
active sleep
quiet sleep
active sleep
Eyes closed; uneven respiration; intermittent rapid eye movements.
Other behaviors: smiles, frowns, grimaces, mouthing, sucking, sighs,
and sigh-sobs.
quite sleep
Eyes are closed and respiration is slow and regular. Motor activity
limited to occasional startles, sigh-sobs, or rhythmic mouthing.
Transitional sleep states
active-quite transition sleep
active-quite transition sleep
During this state, which occurs between periods of active sleep and
quiet sleep, the eyes are closed and there is little motor activity. Infant
shows mixed behavioral signs of active sleep and quiet sleep.
rapid eye movement (REM) sleep
the period of sleep that is found
in older children and adults and is
associated with dreaming
sudden infant death syndrome
(SIDS)
the unexplained death of a
seemingly
healthy baby
reflexes
unlearned, organized, involuntary
responses that occur automatically
in the presence of certain stimuli
swimming reflex
makes a baby who is lying face down in a body of water
paddle and kick in a sort of swimming motion. It disappears at around 4-6 months and its possible function is to avoid danger.
eye-blink reflex
seems designed to protect the eye from too much
direct light, which might damage the retina
Rooting reflex
It disappears at about 3 weeks. Neonate’s tendency to turn its head
toward things that touch its cheek. The possible function is food intake
Stepping reflex
Movement of legs when held upright
with feet touching the floor. It disappears at around 2 months. Its possible function would be to prepare the infant for independent locomotion.
Grasping reflex
Infant’s fingers close around an
object placed in its hands. It disappears around 5-6 months. Its possible function is to provide support.
Moro reflex
Activated when support for the neck
and head is suddenly removed.
The arms of the infant are thrust
outward and then appear to grasp
onto something. disappears at around 6 months. It possible function is the protection from falling.
Babinski reflex
An infant fans out its toes in
response to a stroke on the outside
of its foot. Disappears at around 8-12 months. The possible function is unknown.
Startle reflex
An infant, in response to a sudden
noise, flings out its arms, arches its
back, and spreads its fingers. Remains in a different form. The function is protection.
Sucking reflex
Infant’s tendency to suck at things
that touch its lips. This reflex remains and its function is food intake
Gag reflex
An infant’s reflex to clear its throat. This reflex remains and its function is to prevent choking.
Milestones of Motor Development
3.2 months - rolling over
3.3 months - grasping rattle
5.9 months - sitting without support
7.2 months - standing while holding on
8.2 months - grasping with thumb and finger
11.5 months - standing alone well
12.3 months - walking well
14.8 months - building tower of two cubes
16.6 months - walking up steps
23.8 months - jumping in place
gross motor skills
such as sitting or walking
fine motor skills
coordinating movement of their limbs
pincer grasp,
where thumb and index finger meet to form a circle
dynamic systems theory
a theory of how motor skills
develop and are coordinated
norm
the average performance of a large
sample of children of a given age
Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral
Assessment Scale (NBAS)
a measure designed to determine
infants’ neurological and
behavioral responses to their
environment
nonorganic failure to thrive
a disorder in which infants stop
growing due to a lack of stimulation
and attention as the result of
inadequate parenting
weaning
the gradual cessation of breast- or bottle-feeding
sensation
the physical stimulation of the
sense organs
perception
the sorting out, interpretation,
analysis, and integration of stimuli
involving the sense organs and
brain
binocular vision
the ability
to combine the images coming to each eye to see depth and motion, is achieved at
around 14 weeks.
multimodal approach
to perception
the approach that considers how
information that is collected by
various individual sensory systems
is integrated and coordinated
affordances
options that a given situation or
stimulus provides
