4.1 physical growth and infancy

Reflexes

Involuntary movements present at birth that evolve into voluntary motor skills through experience.

Cephalocaudal development

The pattern of growth where development occurs from the head down to the feet.

Proximodistal development

The pattern of growth where development occurs from the center of the body outwards.

Dendritic connections

Connections in the brain that experience transient exuberance, a period of rapid growth during the first two years.

Pruning

The process of eliminating unused neural pathways, enhancing the efficiency of brain functioning.

SUID

Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths, which include SIDS, unknown causes, and accidental suffocation or strangulation.

Myelination

The development of a fatty coating around neuron axons, which speeds up impulse transmission.

Gross motor skills

Voluntary movements involving large muscle groups, such as lifting the chin or rocking on hands and knees.

Fine motor skills

Precise movements of hands and fingers, focusing on small muscle coordination, like grasping and manipulating objects.

Transient exuberance

The rapid growth and formation of new neural connections during the first two years of life.

Depth perception

The ability to perceive the distance and depth of objects, developing significantly by crawling age.

Breastfeeding recommendations

Exclusive breastfeeding or formula feeding is recommended for the first 6 months for proper nutrition.

Immunizations

Vaccinations that protect infants from communicable diseases and encourage herd immunity.

Nutrition in infancy

The provision of adequate nutrients essential for supporting an infant's rapid physical growth and overall development.

Co-sleeping

The practice of parents and infants sleeping in the same bed, often associated with increased risks in infants under 3 months.

Milestones in motor development

Significant physical achievements in infants, such as sitting up, crawling, and walking, which occur at specific ages.

Communication in the CNS

Involves neurons connecting via axons and dendrites and transmitting information at synapses.

Sensory development

The process wherein infants learn to interpret sensory information, crucial for cognitive development.

Babinski reflex

A non-survival reflex where toes fan upward when the feet are stroked, indicating neurological function.