The First Two Years: Body and Brain

A Newborn’s Brain A newborn’s brain has billions of neurons, as brain cells are called. Neurons are connected to other neurons by a network of nerve fibers called axons and dendrites. The axon of one dendrite meets, but does not touch at intersections called synapse, which are critical in communication links within the brain. Neurons communicate with each other by sending action potentials or chemical messages to another neuron.

The neuron

Brain growth in the first two years of life During the first months and years of life, rapid growth and refinement occur in axons, dendrites, and synapses, especially in the cortex. Dendrite growth is the major reason that the brain triples in size (75%) of it’s adult weight. The prefrontal cortex is very immature the first two years of life. The prefrontal cortex assists in self- control, planning, and self-regulation.

Jean Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development Stage One- Sensorimotor Intelligence This stage occurs from birth to two years old. “Sensorimotor” is Piaget’s term for the way infants think. Infants use their senses and motor skills to understand their world. They learn to assimilate and accommodate to what their senses and motor skills let them experience.

Assimilation and Accommodation Assimilation are when new experience are incorporated into old experiences, concepts and perceptions. Accommodation requires changing one’s perception and assumptions to adjust to new experiences. The Process of Assimilation and Accommodation result in Adaptation.

Schemas Schemas are integrated networks of knowledge of people, things and situations that are developed as a result of Adaptation.

Six stages of sensorimotor intelligence Primary Circular Reactions Stage One (birth-1 month): Reflexes Stage Two (1-4 months): first acquired adaptations. Secondary Circular Reactions Stage Three (4-8 months): responding to people and objects Stage Four (8-12 months): purposeful and deliberate in responding to people and objects. Object Permanence. Tertiary Circular Reactions Stage Five (12-18 months) : the “little scientist” stage Stage Six (18-24 months): they develop their own schema about their world through mini theories.

Object Permanence Object Permanence is the awareness that objects or people continue to exist when they are no longer in sight. It should emerge at about 8 months. Piaget believed that this is the cognitive ability that must be reached in the first two years of life.

The First Two Years: Psychosocial Development

Theories in Psychosocial Development In Erik Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development in each stage there is a psychosocial conflict which needs to be resolved or development throughout the lifespan will be effected. In Sigmund Freud’s Psychosexual Theory of Development in the first six years of life, there is a “pleasure” that needs to be met or resolved or an individual will become fixated on that pleasure. Fixation at a stage will have an effect on the adult development of that individual.

Psychoanalytic Theories Psychosexual Theory Stage One- Oral Stage Ages (birth- one year) Pleasure- mouth Fixation- oral If a fixation occurs at this stage an individual will become an adult who has an oral fixation by eating, drinking, chewing, or talking excessively. Psychosocial Theory Stage One- “Trust vs. Mistrust” Ages (birth- one year) Psychosocial Goal- an infant learns to trust their environment by having basic needs met. Psychosocial Conflict- an infant who is not provided with a safe, warm and comfortable environment will lack the ability to trust and explore their world.

Psychoanalytic Theories Psychosexual Theory Psychosocial Theory Stage Two- Anal Stage Ages (1-3 yrs.) Pleasure: Anus Fixation: Anal If a fixation occurs at this stage, an adult will become an adult who is anal retentive or anal expulsive. Stage Two- “Autonomy v s. Shame and Doubt” Ages (1-3 yrs.) Psychosocial Goal- A toddler will be able to have control over their own bodies, actions and thoughts. Psychosocial Conflict- A toddler will feel shameful of their actions and doubt their abilities.

Strange Situation Strange Situation is a laboratory procedure for measuring attachment between infants and their caregivers from various comings and goings in a playroom. Mary Ainsworth developed the attachment theory (1973) using the strange situation.

Mary Ainsworth’s Attachment Theory Type of Attachment Mom in Play Room Mom leavesMom returnsPercentage SecureChild is happyChild is not happy, stops playing Child welcomes Mom 50-70% Insecure- Avoidant Child is happyChild keeps playing Child ignore Mom 10-20% Insecure- Resistant Child clings to Mom Child is unhappy, may stop playing Child is angry, may hit or cry or cling to Mom 10-20% DisorganizedChild is cautious Child may yell or stare, look confused Child acts odd, may scream, hit or throw things 5-10%