1. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org1 Prenatal Development Growing fetus Reflexes Senses By Drina Madden

2. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org2 Prenatal Development  The beginning of life

3. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org3 Prenatal Development  The period of the embryo 28 days 36 days

4. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org4 Prenatal Development  The period of the embryo 48 days 54 days

5. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org5 Prenatal Development  The period of the fetus Eleventh Week

6. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org6 Prenatal Development  Fetus - 24 weeks

7. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org7  Fetus – 8 months

8. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org8 Prenatal Development

9. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org9 Reflexes  First responses 5 weeks after conception Upper lip touch = withdrawal response Few days later Sensitivity has spread to palms and soles of feet Before 9 weeks Sensitivity has spread to whole body

10. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org10 Reflexes  9 weeks in utero Withdrawal reactions lessen Primitive reflexes appear Neural development determines timing Appearance Inhibition

11. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org11 Reflexes  Primitive Reflexes Insure protection outside the womb Automatic, stereotyped movements directed from the brain stem No cortex involvement

12. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org12 Reflexes  Primitive Reflexes Essential for survival in first 2 weeks of life Lay foundation for all later functioning If remain after 6 – 12 months = brain development weaknesses or immaturity

13. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org13 Reflexes  Primitive Reflexes – brain stem dominated Rooting Reflex – searching sucking and swallowing Moro or Startle Reflex – response to outside stimuli

14. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org14 Reflexes  Primitive Reflexes Asymmetrical Tonic – muscle tone, vestibular awareness Palmar – grasp reflex

15. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org15 Reflexes  Postural Reflexes Form the framework for effective operation of other systems Posture Movement Stability

16. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org16 Reflexes  Postural Reflexes - rolling Neck Righting Reaction Labyrinth Righting Reaction

17. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org17 Brain Development  Connections grow through nature and nurture

18. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org18 Brain Development  Heredity and experiences increase connections

19. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org19 Brain Development  Electrical activity increases with brain growth gained through experience

20. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org20 Brain Development  As the body grows – the brain grows

21. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org21 Brain Development  The lower brain – attention and mood

22. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org22 The Senses  Touch begins in utero

23. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org23 The Senses  Vestibular – balance and awareness in space

24. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org24 The Senses  Hearing begins in utero and strongly connects to neonatal life

25. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org25 The Senses  Taste begins to connect at birth

26. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org26 The Senses  Vision is the last sense to complete its journey  In time, sharing occurs

27. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org27 The Senses  Vision connects with language and perception

28. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org28 The Senses  Language needs receiving and sending

29. C.H.I.L.D Foundation www.childhealthlearn.org29 After Birth  Attention and mood govern development  Each of the brain lobes grows separately.  Connections begin to reach to other lobes  The child’s brain grows in awareness and flexibility