Growth and Development

Question 1

What are the ages for a baby and infant? What are the ages for childhood?

Answer 1

baby = 0-1 years
infant = 0-2 years
childhood = 0-10 years

Question 2

What are the ages for early, middle and late adolescence?

Answer 2

Early adolescence- 11-13 years
Middle adolescence- 14-17 years
Late adolescence- 18-21 years

Question 3

What is the significance of the 1001 critical days?

Answer 3

The importance between conception and 2 years for building optimal security and healthy brain environment

Question 4

What happens to the baby’s brain from birth to 1 year of age?

Answer 4

Increase in weight from 400g to 1000g - caused by myelination and synaptogenesis

Question 5

Which part of the brain matures almost completely post natally?

Answer 5

Orbitofrontal regions

Question 6

What is the experience-expectant mechanism?

Answer 6

Environmental input that all members of a species experience, which play a necessary part in organising the developing nervous system/synaptogenesis
Unique experiences of each baby produce distinctive wiring of their brain, allows child to adapt to specific features of the individual environment they inhabit

Question 7

What is the experience-expectant mechanism dependent on?

Answer 7

Relationship between the dyad

Question 8

Give an example of the experience-expectant mechanis.

Answer 8

Visual cortex - expects to be exposed to light and patterned visual information and needs this experience for normal development

Question 9

When do the anterior and posterior fontanelles close?

Answer 9

Anterior fontanelle = 18 months

Posterior fontanelle = 2-3 months

Question 10

What is attachment?

Answer 10

Bio-behavioural mechanism that is activated by anxiety and the key role is to reduce stress and restore security

Question 11

Give examples of domains that securely attached infants have optimal functioning across. (e.g. emotional)

Answer 11

Emotional
social
behavioural adjustment 
school achievement
peer-related social status

Question 12

By about 3 months, what does the infant experience?

Answer 12

First ‘true’ emotional reactions based on subjective experience (psycho-physiological rather than just purely physiological)

Question 13

What is emotional regulation and why is self-regulation important?

Answer 13

The process by which the levels of +ve and -ve emotions are kept within bounds, so they are registered as not overwhelming.
Provides the foundation one’s ability to function in society

Question 14

What is the study of self-regulation in children called?

Answer 14

DeGangi’s (2017)

Question 15

What are some of the big development theories?

Answer 15

Stage theories
Piaget's cognitive development
Sensori-motor (0-2 yrs)
DeGangi's emotional regulation
Erickson's psychosocial
Trust vs Mistrust (0-2 yrs)
Attachment theory

Question 16

What is the ‘Rouge test’?

Answer 16

Self-awareness test
Dot is places on child;s head
Younger children do not make a connection between their reflection and themselves
After 18 months, child has ability to recognise themselves

Question 17

What are the three dimensions of interactional behaviour to keep in mind when observing parent-infant interaction? (hint: EPG)

Answer 17

1) Engagement - Overintrusiveness to unengagement
2) Predictability - consistency
3) Genuineness - true to false and deceptive effect

Question 18

What are the body proportions of growth?

Answer 18

At birth the head is disproportionately large- 25% of the body’s total length and body weight
Adult - head is 6% of body weight

Question 19

What is the difference between the cephalocaudal and centrifugal principles?

Answer 19

General pattern of physical and functional development:
Cephalocaudal - Head to toe
Centrifugal - Proximal to distal limb

Question 20

What are the core purposes of the Healthy Child Programme? (hint: 4)

Answer 20

Assess growth and development
Detect abnormalities
Assess family strengths, needs and risks
Give mothers and fathers the opportunity to discuss concerns etc

Question 21

What are the physical parameters of growth?

Answer 21

Weight
Length (0-2 yrs)
Height (2+ yrs)
Head circumference - occipito-frontal (OFC)

Question 22

All babies, usually loose weight post birth, how many and how quick do they regain their birth weight?

Answer 22

80% will regain their birth weight by 2 weeks of age

Question 23

Where are growth charts stored?

Answer 23

In the parent health child health record (PHCHR)

Question 24

When would you refer babies for crossing centiles?

Answer 24

Refer babies who have fallen through/across 2 centiles

Question 25

How do you measure body length for 0-2 year olds and post 2 year olds?

Answer 25

0-2 yrs
Placing in recumbent position
Measure from crown to heel
2+ yrs
Shoeless, standing using a stadiometer
Heels and back touching the wall

Question 26

What is the National Child Measurement Programme? (NCMP)

Answer 26

Public health programme
Provides data for child excess weight indicators in the PHO framework
Gov’s approach to tackling child obesity
First height and weight taken in school at 4-5 yrs

Question 27

What are the developmental domains from birth to 5yrs? (Sheriden)

Answer 27

Posture and large movements (Gross motor)
Vision and fine movements (Fine motor)
Hearing and speech
Social behaviour and play

Question 28

What should be completed by parents prior to developmental reviews (9 months and 2 years)? What does it entail?

Answer 28

Ages and Stages Questionnaire:
Communication
Gross motor skills
Fine motor skills
Problem solving
Personal social skills

Question 29

If developmental delay is seen, what domains should be explored? (along a physical exam)

Answer 29

Perinatal - deliver? pre-mature?
Family - genetics
Environmental - experiences