Principles of Infant-Childhood Development

The brain's ability to adapt and reorganize is greatest when?

during early childhood

brain development occurs through the processes of....

myelination, specializing, synaptogenesis, and pruning

When are most neurons in the adult brain produced?

before birth

When does myelination of the brain occur?

during the last trimester of gestation and continues into adulthood

When is the most rapid growth of frontal lobe areas, when to be exposed to new experiences?

3-6 years

What fuels brain functions?

glucose consumption

Glucose rate remains at 2x's that of adults until when?

9-10 years

What is pruning?

taking away connections in the brain you no longer need and allowing connections you need to become reinforced

When do glucose rates slow to adult levels?

16-18 years

neurulation

formation of the neural tube from the ectoderm, laying the foundation for the CNS

neuronal proliferation

rapid generation of neurons from neural stem cells, expanding the brain's cellular population

neuronal migration

movement of neurons to their destined locations within the brain to establish proper structure

apoptosis

programmed cell death that removes excess or improperly connected neurons to refine brain architecture

synaptogenesis

formation of synapses between neurons, enabling communication and network development

myelination

coating of axons with myelin to speed up electrical signal transmission and improve neural efficiency

brain development is orderly

motor skills & basic senses -> language -> prefrontal cortex (higher cognitive functions)

nature as a primary driver of development

-guided by inherited genetic blueprints

-predictable, biologically determined sequence

-abilities and traits are inherent

-biological process consistent across individuals

-specific windows

nuture as a primary driver of development

-shaped by external factors

-acquire skills and knowledge through interactions with their environment

-brain and behavior are highly malleable

-no strict critical periods

genetics may predispose someone to a certain behavior or ability, but ___________ _______ can influence whether that genetic potential is realized

environmental factors

What is epigenetics?

environmental factors can alter gene expression and developmental outcomes

genetic influence

traits such as intelligence, personality, and susceptibility to certain mental health conditions have a significant genetic component (30-80%)

environmental influence

random life events, peer relationships, individual experiences

While the sequence of development is universal, the rate varies among children due to _________, _________, __________, and _________ __________.

genetic, environmental, cultural, and social influences

physical domains

growth in size, motor skills, and physical abilities

cognitive domains

thinking, problem-solving, and learning skills

emotional and social domains

self-regulation, relationships, and emotional awareness

language domains

communication skills, both verbal and nonverbal

children acquire _____ skills first, which serve as a foundation for more ________ abilities

basic, complex

infants first exhibit generalized movements and responses before developing....

precise motor skills

cephalocaudal

development occurs from head to toe

proximodistal

development occurs from the center outward

development is sequential

it follows a predictable sequence, with miles typically achieved in a specific order