LU 7: Human Development Flashcards
How long is the Prenatal period?
40 weeks
What are the 3 stages of prenatal development?
- Germinal stage
- Embryonic stage
- Foetal stage
How long is each stage?
Germinal: 0- 2 weeks
Embryonic: 3- 8 weeks
Foetal: 9 weeks
Discuss the Germinal stage:
- shortest stage of Foetal development
- begins at conception
- the sperm fertilizes the egg and creates a zygote
- the zygote begins its journey down to the uterus over the course of 1 week
- during this journey, the zygote divides many times, eventually creating two separate structures
- one structure eventually becomes the embryo (and later, the fetus) and the other becomes the placenta
- cell division continues.
- eventually, the zygote turns into a blastocyst
- the blastocyst arrives at the uterus and implants into the uterine lining
- if the implantation is successful, the body immediately begins producing hormones to support a pregnancy
- this also stops a menstrual period.
Discuss the embryonic stage:
- this stage lasts from 3- 8 weeks of pregnancy
- the blastocyst begins to take on distinct human characteristics
- it is now called an embryo
- structures and organs like the neural tube, head, eyes, mouth & limbs form
- 6th week: the embryo’s heart begins to develop and pulse and buds that will become arms and legs also form
- by the end of 8th week, most of the embryo’s organs and systems take shape
- this is the point in pregnancy where morning sickness begins.
Discuss the Foetal stage
- this stage of development begins around the 9th week and lasts until birth
- this is when the embryo officially turns into a feotus
- the foetus gets its assigned sex around 9 weeks of pregnancy
- the foetus’ major organs & body systems continue to grow and mature
- things like fingernails, eyelashes and hair also grow
- the foetus is able to move its limbs, although the mother may not feel it until 20 weeks of pregnancy
- the majority of growth- in both weight & length- happens in the Foetal stage.
Influences of prenatal development
- Genetic factors
- Maternal nutrition
- Maternal stress & emotion
- Maternal drug use
- alcohol
- smoking
- & other substances - Maternal illness & psychopathology
- The influence of culture & family
- Environmental toxins
- Foetal origins of adult disease
What is motor development in childhood?
The progression of muscular co- ordination required for physical activities.
Motor skills are for grasping, reaching for objects, sitting up, walking, running, manipulating objects.
What are 2 factors of childhood motor development?
- Developmental norms: group averages of the typical age at which individuals display various behaviors & abilities.
- Cultural variations: rapid motor development is observed in cultures that provide special practice in basic motor skills.
What is attachment?
The close emotional bonds of affection that develops between an infant and its caregiver.
A child’s important attachment is usually with its mother ( the primary caregiver).
2- 3 months babies smile and laugh more when they interact with their mothers.
6- 8 months babies protest when they are away from their mother.
What is separation anxiety?
Emotional distress in infants when they are separated from people with whom they have an attachment. Bowlby’s study proves that attachment has a biological & evolutional basis.
What are the 4 categories of infant- mother attachment categories?
- Secure
- Anxious- ambivalent
- Avoidant
- Disorganised- disoriented.
Describe secure attachment
They play & explore comfortably with their mothers present. Upset when mother leaves but then is quickly comforted with she returns.
Describe anxious- ambivalent attachment
They are anxious even when the mother is near & protest excessively when she leaves, but are not comforted when she returns.
Describe avoidant attachment
Children seek little contact with their mothers and are not distressed when she leaves.
