Introduction to Child Development Flashcards
Definition of development
Development of motor, perceptual, language, cognitive, social
Definition of schema
Internal cognitive structure that provides procedure to use in specific circumstances
Definition of assimilation
Process of using schema to make sense of experience
Definition of equilibration
Process of balancing assimilation and accommodation to create schema that fits environment
Definition of principles of conservation
Properties of objects remain the same despite changes in the form of the object
Definition of egocentric
Tendency for a child to see everything that happens as it relates to them
Can’t see other peoples POV
Definition of social referencing
Looking at facial expressions to make decisions
Definition of attachments
Process of proximity seeking to identified attachment figure in situations of distress for survival
Definition of secure attachment
Emotional availability, contingent responsiveness from primary care giver
Describe the 3 main properties of child development
Sequential
Irreversible
Goal directed
What are the biological and socoiopsycho properties of development
Biological
- genetics
- prenatal state and behaviours of mother
- neonatal birth complications
- childhood illness
Sociopsycho
- pollution
- environment that prompt development
Compare the development in medical and behavioural disorders in MZ and DZ twins
Common medical and behavioural disorders are more concordant in MZ than DZ
What are the critical periods
Defined periods where appropriate stimulation is needed to ensure development
- limited time window
- hard to reverse (plastic brains can learn new skills
Describe the effects that could affect the develop of both individuals and cohorts of children
Historical/cultural factors can affect the development of a cohort
Mental/physical ill health can impact on an individuals developement
What are the 4 stages of child development
Infant (0-2) Early childhood (2-6) Middle childhood (6-12) Adolescence (12-18)
What are the skills associated with the infant stage of development
Attachment
Maturation of sensory perception and motor function
Understand objects via senses
What are the skills associated with the early childhood stage of development
Locomotion
Fantasy and group play play
Language development
What are the skills associated with the middle childhood stage of development
Friendship
Skill learning
Understand cause and effect
Team play
What are the skills associated with the adolescent stage of development
Physical and emotional maturation
Peer group and sexual relationships
Understand abstract thinking
Describe how newborns start development
Have nerve cells but in an underdeveloped state
Growth and development in an experience dependent way
Perceptual/motor repetoire is initially limited but preprogrammed inborn bias => rapid and ordered development
What are the 6 stages of motor development
Sitting without support Standing with assistance Hands and knees crawling Walking with assistance Standing alone Walking alone
What are the stages of perceptual development
Fixate gaze on areas of contrast, active info seeking
Have a preference for faces (4-5months)
Move to scanning the environment
Develop appropriate selective attention (6 years)
-learn which environmental cues warrant perceptual attention
What are the 5 stages of language development
Preverbal
-vocalisation, gestures and eye movement
Phonological
-no words, more sounds
Semantic development
-words by the 1st year
Syntax and grammar
-speaking in sentences
Pragmatic development
-turn taking, non verbal communication
Describe the rate at which children learn words
9-13months
-1st words
12-18months
-3 words/month
18+ months
- 22 words
- naming explosion 12-20/week
6 years
-10000 words, 5+/day
How would you foster language development
What environment is not conducive to language development
Promote adult child conversations, promote language input before 3
Heavy television viewing => poor language and reading skills
Development via
- operant conditioning
- social learning
What are the 4 concepts of cognitive development
Schema
Assimilation
Accommodation
Equilibration
Describe Piaget’s Stage 1 of development (sensorimotor 0-2yo)
Initial reflexes via sensory motor schema
Interacts with environment and manipulates objects
Understanding of object permanence
Describe Piaget’s Stage 2 of development (preoperational 2-6/7yo)
Internal representation of concrete objects, situations
Egocentric
Reasoning dominated by perception
Use of symbolic schema like language
Describe Piaget’s Stage 3 of development (concrete operations 6/7-11/12yo)
Reasoning involves more than 1 salient feature
Logical reasoning can only be applied to objects that are real/visible
Not egocentric, see other perspectives
Understand principles of conservation
Describe Piaget’s Stage 4 of development (formal operations 11/12yo+)
Logical thinking of potential events/abstract ideas
Test hypotheses about hypothetical events
How would you communicate with a child about their illnesses
Depends on
- age/stage of cognitive development
- experience of illness (expert in own illness)
Communication with children
-modeling the process (teddy bear hospital)
Describe social development in children
Early social responsiveness
-specificity towards main caregiver after 1st few months
8 months => separation anxiety and fear of strangers
10 months => social referencing
Describe the importance of attachment
Basic necessity for survival, first area of brain that develops
Process of proximity seeking to identified attachment figure in situations of distress => survival
Describe secure attachment
Why is it important
Emotional availability, contingent responsiveness from primary care giver
Paves way for
- healthy development
- good peer relationships
- self reliance
- good physical health
Allows child to learn
- that they’re worthy of love
- others are available in times of need
Describe the 3 insecure attachment styles
Avoidant
-carer rejects child
Resistant
- inconsistent carer
- v clingy child
Disorganised
-inconsistent and potentially abusive carer
