Infancy and Childhood: Cognitive and Emotional Development

what is a sensitive period?

a window of time during which exposure to a specific type of environmental stimulation is needed for normal development of a specific ability.

what does depth perception need?

2 working eyes during a critical period to get proper binocular vision.

what occurs during the sensitive period?

• depth perception

• language fluency

• recognition of parents

• identifying with a particular culture

• important to get love and nurturing during childhood (attachment system)

what happens in the growth phase of physical development?

• occurs rapidly during infancy

• slows down at around ages 4-6

• girls have a growth spurt at age 8-9 (boys around 12)

what is the blooming period of the physical development of the nervous system?

neural pathways form thousands of new connections during infant and toddlerhood

what is the pruning period of the physical development of the nervous system?

• neural connections are reduced during childhood and adolescence to allow the brain to function more efficiently

what increases in size during the pruning period?

• The brain (especially the frontal lobe during ages 3-6)

  • 55% of adult size at age 2

  • 90% of adult size at age 6