Infancy Brain Development and Early Childhood Concepts (Vocabulary)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key concepts from infancy brain development, senses, motor milestones, language exposure, feeding, and public health topics discussed in the lecture.

Plasticity

Brain's ability to regrow or form new neuronal pathways; highest in infancy and toddlerhood; allows adaptation to experiences; adverse experiences can impede development.

Adaptation (brain)

The brain's adjustments to new experiences and changes in the environment during infancy.

Transient exuberance

A temporary, fivefold increase in dendrite numbers per neuron during infancy that drives rapid synaptogenesis.

Synaptogenesis

Formation of synapses between neurons; creates thousands of connections during infancy.

Pruning

Elimination of unused synapses to improve neural network efficiency; driven by experience and use.

Neuron

Nerve cell that transmits electrochemical signals; basic building block of the nervous system.

Axon

Projection that carries signals away from the neuron's cell body toward other neurons.

Dendrite

Branching extensions that receive signals from other neurons and transmit them toward the cell body.

Synapse

The gap between neurons where signals cross via neurotransmitters.

Fontanel

Soft spot on a baby's skull that allows brain growth during infancy.

Head circumference

Measurement used to monitor infant brain growth and skull development.

Brain weight at birth

At birth the brain is about 25% of adult weight; grows rapidly to roughly 75% by the end of infancy.

Sensation

Input from sensory organs (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, skin) that the brain receives.

Perception

Brain's interpretation of sensations; depends on prior experience to identify what is sensed.

Cognition

Mental processing, evaluation, and response decisions about experiences and sensations.

Hearing (infancy)

Infants' hearing is highly acute from birth and helps them recognize caregivers.

Vision (infancy)

Color vision develops after about 3 months; binocular vision develops around 3–4 months; early vision is blurry.

Touch (infancy)

Sense critical for bonding; helps recognition of caregiver and conveys emotion through contact.

Smell and Taste (infancy)

Newborns can smell caregivers and distinguish odors; taste and smell guide feeding and bonding.

Gross motor skills

Large muscle movements (crawling, standing, walking); progression varies across children.

Fine motor skills

Small muscle movements (grasping, transferring objects, pointing) that develop in infancy.

Crawling

Various forms of crawling (hands-and-knees, backward, or alternative) common but not universal; forward progression to walking matters.

Walking

Usually begins between 9 and 18 months; influenced by personality, size, and opportunities; regression is a red flag.

Regression (motor)

Loss of previously acquired motor skills; suggests a potential issue needing intervention.

Immunization

Vaccination to stimulate immune response and protect against disease; helps maintain herd immunity.

Herd immunity

Community protection achieved when a high percentage (roughly 90–95%) are vaccinated, reducing outbreaks.

MMR vaccine

Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine given around 18–24 months; no credible evidence links it to autism; Wakefield study retracted.

Autism myth (MMR)

Claim that MMR causes autism lacks scientific evidence.

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

Unexpected death in infancy during sleep; risk reduced by safe sleep practices (back sleeping, no pillows/blankets, room-sharing).

Bottle propping

Propping a bottle with blankets or other objects; discouraged due to choking risk and delayed self-feeding development.

Introduction of solids

Solid foods typically started around 4–6 months; begin with rice cereal, then purees; gradually add 1–2 new foods per week; limit salt/sugar early; allergen exposure discussed with guidelines.