Development of Abilities in Children

Question 1

How does development differ between children?

Answer 1

The sequence of development is largely the same, it is the rate that varies

Question 2

In what direction does development progress?

Answer 2

Cephalo-caudal direction

Question 3

What happens to primitive reflexes with age?

Answer 3

They’re replaced with specific and consciously controlled responses

Question 4

What neurological processes underpin childhood development?

Answer 4

Myelination, growth in neuronal numbers, growth in neuronal connections

Question 5

What processes does the growth in neuronal connections lead to?

Answer 5

Increased visual acuity, development of cerebellar programmed actions (coordination), acquisition of memories and increase in cognitive abilities

Question 6

What are the environmental requirements for development?

Answer 6

Stimulation for vision and hearing development, opportunity for movement and play and supportive environment

Question 7

What happens if a child develops a quint in early life

Answer 7

They will struggle to establish binocular vision in later life (amblyopia)

Question 8

How would you assess development at 6 weeks?

Answer 8

Gross motor = lifts head
Fine motor = palmar grasp
Speech = cooing
Social = social smiles

Question 9

How would you assess development at 6-8 months?

Answer 9

Gross motor = sits
Fine motor = visual guided reaching
Speech = babbling
Social = object permanence

Question 10

How would you assess development in 10-15 month infant?

Answer 10

Gross motor = walks
Fine motor = pincer grasp
Speech = first words
Social = object permanence

Question 11

How would you assess development in an 18-24 month infant?

Answer 11

Gross motor = runs (trying stairs)
Fine motor = tower of 3 bricks
Speech = 2-3 word utterances
Social = play with toys

Question 12

How would you assess development in a 3 year old infant?

Answer 12

Gross motor = climbing stairs (alternate feet)
Fine motor = tower of 8 bricks
Speech = asking questions, rhymes etc.
Social = play with other children

Question 13

How are milestones used in clinical practice?

Answer 13

To measure normality against disability, but not to predict future intelligence as there is a very week association between these factors

Question 14

Name 5 major problems with development which should be detected before 4 years of age

Answer 14

Cerebral palsy, sensorineural hearing loss, severe visual impairment, (severe and moderate) learning difficulties, autism

Question 15

Name Piaget’s 4 stages of development

Answer 15

Sensorimotor (0 to 2 years)
Pre operational (2 to 6 years)
Concrete operational (7 to 12 years)
Formal operational (12 to 19 years)

Question 16

Describe the sensorimotor stage of Piaget’s development

Answer 16

Between 0 to 2 years, involved in integration and perception and motor actions

Question 17

Describe the pre operational stage of Piaget’s. Development model

Answer 17

Between 2 to 6 years where there is internalisation of actions

Question 18

Describe the concrete operational stage of Piaget’s model

Answer 18

Between 7 to 12 years and use logical rules to solve problems

Question 19

Describe the formal operational stage of Piaget’s model

Answer 19

Between 12 to 19 years and is involved in the development of abstract reasoning

Question 20

During which of Piaget’s stages does egocentrism and animism develop?

Answer 20

Pre operational stage (2 to 6 years)

Question 21

Describe the abilities of a newborn at birth

Answer 21

Limited visual acuity (6/60), good hearing, mass body movements with sub-cortical and spinal reflexes, and basic neural processing of sensory stimulation