Chapter 4: Physical Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood Flashcards
Cephalocaudal Development
Growth proceeds from the head downward. The head and upper body regions develop before the lower regions
Proximodistal Development
Growth and development proceed from the center of the body outward. During prenatal development, the internal organs develop before the arms and legs. After birth, the trunk grows before the limbs, and the limbs before the hands and feet
Growth Norms
Expectations for typical gains and variations in height and weight for children based on their chronological age and ethnic background
Marasmus
A wasting disease in which the body’s fat and muscle are depleted. Can be seen in infants whose diets are chronically insufficient in calories, nutrients, and protein. Growth stops, the body wastes away, the skin becomes wrinkly and aged looking, the abdomen shrinks, and the body takes on a hollow appearance. Most often occurs in infants
Kwashiorkor
Found in children who experience an insufficient intake of protein, which may occur when a child prematurely abandons breastfeeding, such as with the birth of a younger sibling. Characterized by lethargy, wrinkled skin, and a fluid retention appearing as bloating and swelling of the stomach, face, legs, and arms. The vital organs take all of the available nutrients, so the other parts of the body deteriorate. Occurs mostly in older infants and young children
Failure to Thrive
A condition in which their weight is below the fifth percentile for their age. Their caloric intake is insufficient to maintain growth. Lack age-appropriate responses such as smiling and eye contact, and show delayed motor development. If left untreated it can be accompanied by delays in cognitive, verbal, and behavioral skills that make it difficult for the child to achieve success in school, home, and peer environments
Neuron
A specialized cell that is responsible for the transmission of sensory and motor information throughout the body and brain
Neurogenesis
The creation of new neurons. Begins in the neural tube of the embryo
Glial Cells
Nourish neurons and move throughout the brain to provide a physical structure to the brain
Cortex
The outermost part of the brain containing the greatest number of neurons and accounting for thought and consciousness
Synapse
The intersection or gap between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrites of another
Synaptogenesis
The formation of synapses between neurons
Synaptic Pruning
The loss of unused neural connections that improve the efficiency of neural communication by removing any excess connections. Lesser used synapses are pruned in accordance with experience to improve efficiency
Myelination
Glial cells produce and coat the axons of neurons with a fatty substance called myelin. Allows for more efficient and faster transmission of APs down the axon. Leads to faster information processing
Lateralization
The process of hemispheric specialization to carry out different functions
Hemispheric Dominance
One hemisphere becomes stronger and more adept
Corpus Callosum
A collection of nerve fibers that connect the hemispheres of the brain. Allows for the hemispheres to communicate and coordinate processing
Experience-Expectant Brain Development
Brain growth and development that are dependent on basic environmental experiences, such as visual or auditory stimulation, in order to develop normally
Experience-Dependent Brain Development
Brain growth and development in response-specific learning experiences
Binocular Vision
The ability for both eyes together to focus on a singular object
Co-Sleeping
The infant sharing a bed with the mother or with noth parents
Habituation
Repeated exposure to a stimulus causes a decline in intensity, frequency. and duration of a response
Classical Conditioning
Making an association with a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus that triggers an innate reaction. Eventually, the neutral stimulus (now conditioned stimulus) produces the same response and the unconditioned stimulus
Operant Conditioning
Using reinforcement to increase a behavior and punishment to decrease a behavior
