Pediatric Growth & Development, Immunizations, Nutrition, and Developmental Milestones (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts from growth and development, theories, immunizations, nutrition, play, reflexes, and related pediatric assessment.

Growth

Measurable physical changes in a child (weight, length/height, head circumference, teeth).

Development

Progressive increase in skills, behaviors, and abilities; continuous, orderly, sequential.

Learning

Acquisition of knowledge through experience.

Maturation

Increased competence due to changes in structure or function.

Cephalocaudal pattern

Development that proceeds from head to toe (head control before legs).

Proximodistal pattern

Development that proceeds from the center to the extremities (roll before sit, etc.).

Simple to Complex

Development progresses from simple to more complex skills (babbling to words to sentences).

Erikson: Trust vs. Mistrust

Infant stage (0–18 months); consistent care builds trust; inconsistency leads to mistrust and fear.

Erikson: Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt

Toddler stage (18 months–3 years); independence and self-control; fear/shame if autonomy is blocked.

Erikson: Initiative vs. Guilt

Preschool stage (3–6 years); initiates activities; too much power can cause guilt.

Erikson: Industry vs. Inferiority

School-age stage (6–12 years); competence in school and social relations.

Erikson: Identity vs. Role Confusion

Adolescence (12–18 years); develops sense of self and personal identity.

Piaget: Sensorimotor

0–2 years; learns through senses and actions; object permanence develops ~8–12 months.

Piaget: Preoperational

2–7 years; egocentric, magical thinking; difficulty understanding others’ perspectives.

Piaget: Concrete Operational

7–11 years; logical reasoning, conservation, cause/effect.

Piaget: Formal Operational

11+ years; abstract thinking and problem-solving.

Kohlberg: Preconventional

Obey rules to avoid punishment or gain rewards (2–7 years).

Kohlberg: Conventional

Seeks approval and follows rules to maintain social order (7–12 years).

Kohlberg: Postconventional

Internal moral code guides decisions (12+ years; not all reach this stage).

Denver II Developmental Screening Test

Screening tool for personal-social, fine motor, language, and gross motor domains.

Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)

Parent-completed developmental screening tool.

PEDS

Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status; guides assessment.

SWYC

Survey of Well-being of Young Children; developmental screening tool.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Toxic stress risk factors such as poverty, unstable housing, domestic violence, parental substance use, mental health issues.

Toxic stress

Chronic, excessive stress from adverse childhood experiences that impact development.

Play: Solitary

Infants play alone with self-contained activities.

Play: Parallel

Toddlers play beside each other with similar activities but not together.

Play: Associative

Preschoolers loosely interact during play without coordinated goals.

Play: Cooperative

School-age children engage in organized, group games.

Functions of Play: Physical

Develops muscle coordination and gross/fine motor skills.

Functions of Play: Cognitive

Facilitates problem-solving and learning cause-effect.

Functions of Play: Emotional

Allows expression of fears and coping mechanisms.

Functions of Play: Social

Teaches teamwork, rules, morals.

Immunizations: Active immunity

Body produces antibodies via natural infection or vaccines.

Immunizations: Passive immunity

Maternal antibodies or immunoglobulins provide temporary protection.

Live vaccines (examples)

Varicella, MMR, Rotavirus, and some influenza vaccines are live attenuated vaccines.

Hepatitis B vaccine schedule

Given at birth, at 2 months, and at 6 months.

DTaP vs. Tdap

DTaP for children under 7 years; Tdap for older than 7 years.

Hib vaccine

Haemophilus influenzae type B; first dose at 2 months.

PCV13 vaccine

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine given in infancy as part of routine schedule.

Rotavirus vaccine

Live oral vaccine given in early infancy.

MMR and Varicella timing

Live vaccines given after 12 months; contraindicated in pregnancy; not given before 1 year.

Influenza vaccine timing

Begin at 6 months of age and given annually.

Contraindication to vaccines

History of anaphylaxis or severe allergic reaction; immunocompromised status (live vaccines).

Precautions for vaccines

Mild illness is not a contraindication to vaccination.

Vaccine administration documentation

Record vaccine type, date, lot number, route, dose, site, VIS date, administrator.

Nutrition: macronutrients

Carbohydrates 40–50% of diet; protein for growth; fats essential for neurological development.

Nutrition: infant energy needs

0–1 year requires about 100–120 kcal/kg/day.

Nutrition: toddler energy needs

1–3 years ~90–100 kcal/kg/day.

Nutrition: school-age energy needs

6–12 years ~70–90 kcal/kg/day.

Iron deficiency anemia

Common in children; iron deficiency impacts RBCs and brain development; screening and supplementation as indicated.

Calcium & Vitamin D

Bones and teeth health; adequate intake essential.

Fluoride

Teeth protection; supplement if local water is not fluoridated.

Hydration and juice guidelines

Limit juice to 4–6 oz/day; introduce water after 6 months.

Infant feeding: solids introduction

Begin solids at 4–6 months with iron-fortified cereals; progress to fruits/vegetables and then meats.

Introducing foods: one at a time

Introduce a single new food every 5–7 days to monitor for allergies.

Honey prohibition

Avoid giving honey to infants due to risk of botulism until after 12 months.

Milk before 1 year

Avoid cow’s milk before 1 year; use formula or breast milk instead.

Growth charts: WHO vs. CDC

WHO charts for under 2 years; CDC charts for 2 years and older.

Newborn reflexes: importance

Automatic responses present at birth that indicate neurological development; absence or asymmetry can indicate issues.

Rooting reflex

Stimulus on cheek elicits head turn and mouth opening; appears at birth; disappears ~4 months.

Sucking reflex

Rhythmic sucking when nipple or finger is in mouth; appears at birth; disappears ~2–5 months.

Moro (startle) reflex

Arms extend and then flex in response to sudden movement; appears at birth; disappears ~4–6 months.

Palmar grasp reflex

Fingers grasp when object placed in palm; appears at birth; disappears ~3–4 months.

Plantar grasp reflex

Toes curl when sole is touched; appears at birth; disappears ~8 months.

Babinski reflex

Toes fan; present at birth; disappears ~12 months; persistence may indicate neurologic issues.

Tonic neck reflex (fencing position)

Head turned to one side; same-side arm/leg extend; disappears ~4 months.

Stepping reflex

Baby makes stepping movements when held upright; disappears ~4–8 weeks.

Crawling reflex

Prone position triggers crawling-like movements; disappears ~6 weeks.

Landau reflex

When held prone, head and legs extend; appears ~3 months; disappears 12–24 months.

Parachute reflex

Appears 7–9 months; protective extension of arms; persists.

Newborn dentition timeline

First tooth around 6 months; full primary dentition by ~2.5 years.

Play as diagnosis and therapy

Play helps assess development and serves as a therapeutic tool in hospitalization.

anticipatory guidance by visit age

Age-specific guidance for growth, development, safety, and immunizations during well-child visits.

Infant fine motor skills (3 months)

brings hand to mouth

Infant Fine Motor Skills(4−5 months)

reaches for objects

Infant Fine Motor Skills (6 months)

transfers objects hand-to-hand

Infant Fine Motor Skills (8-10 months)

develops pincer grasp

Toddler Fine Motor Skills (1-3 years)

Stacks 2−6 blocks, scribbles (15 months), turns pages (one at a time), uses spoon and fork, builds with blocks.

Preschooler Fine Motor Skills (3-6 years)

Draws basic shapes (circle, square), cuts with scissors, dresses self, buttons/zips, prints some letters.

School-Age Fine Motor Skills (6-12 years)

Refines writing/drawing, engages in detailed crafts, plays musical instruments, improved coordination for complex tasks.

Infant Gross Motor Skills (4-6 months)

Achieves head control, rolls over (4−6 months)

Infant gross motor skills (6-8 months)

sits supported

Erikson, Stage 1: Trust Achieved

Consistent, predictable care during infancy (0-18 \ months) leads to a sense of trust and security.

Erikson, Stage 1: Mistrust Developed

Inconsistent or unreliable care during infancy (0-18 \ months) leads to fear, anxiety, and a sense of mistrust.

Erikson, Stage 2: Autonomy Achieved

Opportunities for independence and self-control during toddlerhood (18 \ months-3 \ years) lead to a sense of autonomy.

Erikson, Stage 2: Shame & Doubt Developed

Overly controlling or critical environments during toddlerhood (18 \ months-3 \ years) lead to feelings of shame and self-doubt.

Erikson, Stage 3: Initiative Achieved

Encouragement to initiate activities and explore during preschool (3-6 \ years) leads to a sense of purpose and initiative.

Erikson, Stage 3: Guilt Developed

Being overly controlled or criticized for attempts to initiate during preschool (3-6 \ years) can lead to feelings of guilt.

Erikson, Stage 4: Industry Achieved

Success in school and social tasks during school age (6-12 \ years) leads to a sense of competence and industry.

Erikson, Stage 4: Inferiority Developed

Failure to achieve competence or consistent negative feedback during school age (6-12 \ years) leads to feelings of inferiority.

Erikson, Stage 5: Identity Achieved

Successful exploration of roles and values during adolescence (12-18 \ years) leads to a strong sense of self and personal identity.

Erikson, Stage 5: Role Confusion Developed

Inability to clarify personal identity or values during adolescence (12-18 \ years) leads to role confusion and uncertainty about self.

Piaget, Stage 1: Sensorimotor Development

Children (0-2 \ years) learn through senses and actions; key achievement is the development of object permanence around 8-12 \ months.

Piaget, Stage 2: Preoperational Development

Children (2-7 \ years) exhibit egocentric and magical thinking, struggling to understand others' perspectives.

Piaget, Stage 3: Concrete Operational Development

Children (7-11 \ years) develop logical reasoning, understand conservation, and grasp cause-and-effect relationships.

Piaget, Stage 4: Formal Operational Development

Adolescents (11+ \ years) develop the capacity for abstract thinking and advanced problem-solving.

Kohlberg, Stage 1: Preconventional Morality

Individuals (2-7 \ years) obey rules primarily to avoid punishment or to gain rewards.

Kohlberg, Stage 2: Conventional Morality

Individuals (7-12 \ years) seek approval from others and follow rules to maintain social order.

Kohlberg, Stage 3: Postconventional Morality

Individuals (12+\ years) are guided by an internal moral code; not all individuals reach this stage.