Physical Growth in infancy and toddlerhood

Average newborn in the U.S

7.5lbs and 20 inch long

change in head proportion from birth vs. adulthood

at birth, head is 25% of out length; by adulthood, its 20%of our length

Components of the neuron (cell body)-— Dendrites

Receive information

Components of the neuron (cell body) —Axon

Sends information

Components of the neuron (cell body) —- Myelin Sheath

Insulates axon

Components of the neuron (cell body) —Synapses

Connections

Changes in neurons — Synaptogenesis

Formation of connections; Caused by proliferation of dendrites

Changes in neurons —Synaptic Blooming

Period of rapid neural growth

Changes in neurons — Synaptic Pruning

Reduce unused neural connections to increase brain efficiency

(experience determines what’s maintained and lost)

changes in neurons —Development of Myelin Sheath

speeds the rate of neural transmission; Affects coordination, movement, and thinking

Cortex

1. Thin outer covering of the brain

2. Involved in voluntary activity and thinking

(Two hemispheres, each divided into 4 lobes) Frontal lobe

Thinking, planning, memory, and judgement

(Two hemispheres, each divided into four lobes) Parietal Lobe

Processing information about touch

(Two hemispheres, each divided into four lobes) Occipital Lobe

Processing visual information

(Two hemispheres, Four different lobes) Temporal lobe

Processing auditory information and language

(Processes of brain maturation) Lateralization

Different functions become localized primarily on one side of the brain

(Processes of brain maturation) Neuroplasticity

the brain's ability to change and adapt throughout life in response to experiences, learning, and environmental factors. 

Infant Sleep

Newborns typically sleep 16.5 hours per day

Polyphasic

Several sleep periods throughout day