Physical Development During the First Three Years Chapter 4 Physical Development During the First Three Years
Development of the Brain By age 6, almost adult size. Brain growth spurts: coincide with changes in cognitive behavior Cerebrum, largest part of brain, divides into halves Lateralization, specialties of each hemisphere; left: language and logical thinking; right: visual and spatial functions Integration: groups of coordinated cells Differentiation: each neuron becomes specialized
Development of the Brain Corpus callosum, joins the two hemispheres with visual and spatial functions Each cerebral hemisphere has four lobes: occipital (visual), parietal (touch sensations and spatial information and facilitates eye-hand coordination), temporal (hearing and language), frontal (higher functions, speech, reasoning)
Brain cells Neurons: nerve cells- send and receive information Glial cells: support and protect the neurons Myelination: coats the neural pathways, allows for efficient and fast signals to travel Reflex behavior: controlled by lower brain centers, involuntary (breathing, heart rate) Plasticity: malleability, modification, specificities
Senses Touch and pain develop first (rooting reflex) Smell and taste develop in the womb Hearing develops in the womb Sight develops at birth
Motor development Milestones: see Table 4-5 (page 142) Conception Embryo: after about two weeks following conception. Fetus: Recognizable as a human after about 2 months (at 1 inch!) Most significant brain development occurs within the first 3 years of life
Apgar Scale Sign 1 2 Appearance Pulse Grimace Activity Respiration 1 2 Appearance Blue & Pale Body Pink, Limbs Blue All Pink Pulse Absent Slow (<100) Rapid Grimace None Coughing & Crying Activity Limp Weak Strong Respiration Irregular, slow Good, Crying
Between ages 10-12, the brain appears to undergo other significant changes (for executive functions: judgment, self-control, emotional regulation, and planning) The temporal lobes (responsible for language and emotional control) do not fully develop until age 16) Perceptual development occurs during the first two years Within first 6 months, strong attachment to caregivers Shows preference for people they want to be near, especially when stressed, at about 7 or 8 months
Newborn Nutrition: most important factor for physical growth and development. Importance of antibodies. Failure to thrive: 4 to 8 months following birth (r/o nutritional disorders vs. neglect) Scheduling: putting baby on feeding schedule (4 hours); not recommended now as much.
Recommended now: Comfort your baby: comfort baby when they cry feed them when they are hungry play with them when they are awake “spoil” them as much as you can! (studies show that baby must learn that they have an effect on their environment, and therefore control over their own experience. Important for cognitive and social development babies need to know that they can make things happen being responsive to baby
Encouraging frequent associations between: crying and being picked up sucking and obtaining nourishment gurgling and hearing another voice reply Some evidence that babies who cannot predict if or how their behavior will affect their caregivers are slower to develop than those whose caregivers react to their demands with relevant actions.
infants must experience the benefits of self-motivation babies thrive where there are many opportunities to watch, touch, and manipulate things for themselves. babies who are restricted in their play and put on rigid schedules from birth may be apathetic. repeated frustration teaches them that their own actions do not matter.
The emergence of social smiling is a milestone because smiling serves the adaptive function of drawing adults to them. After about 6 months, generally friendly towards strangers. Between 6 – 8 months, stranger anxiety occurs. Separation protest (separation anxiety) appears at about the same age.
Nutrition: Breastfeeding Breast milk almost always the best food Milk is more digestible Reduces allergic reactions Minimizes numerous infections May reduce risk of SIDS Better cognitive performance
Brain Growth
Regions of the Cerebral Cortex
Regions of the Cerebral Cortex