Infancy Development: Chapter 1-7 Vocabulary

A vocabulary-style set of flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on infancy development (birth to 24 months), including motor development, brain development, growth patterns, screening (ASQ), and parenting implications.

Cephalocaudal pattern

Growth that proceeds from the head downward toward the feet; head and upper body develop before the lower parts.

Proximal-distal pattern

Growth that starts at the center of the body and moves outward to the limbs; trunk develops before arms and legs.

Gross motor skills

Large muscle movements such as head control, rolling, sitting, standing, and walking.

Fine motor skills

Small, precise movements such as pincer grasp and picking up small objects.

ASQ (Ages and Stages Questionnaires)

A developmental screening tool used to track milestones in infancy and early childhood.

Newborn birth stats

Average around 20 inches long and 7.5 pounds in weight at birth.

Birth weight bounce back

Newborns typically lose 5-7% of birth weight in early weeks, then rapidly regain it.

Growth rate first year

Approximate growth of 3/4 inch per month in the first year.

Percentiles

Statistical measure comparing a child to peers; 50th percentile is median, 90th percentile is higher than 90% of peers.

Brain weight at birth vs age 2

Brain weighs about 25% of adult weight at birth and ~75% by age 2.

Cerebral cortex

Outer brain layer responsible for many higher-order functions; contains four lobes.

Frontal lobe

Lobe involved in thinking, planning, and voluntary movement.

Parietal lobe

Lobe that processes sensory information like touch and temperature.

Occipital lobe

Lobe primarily responsible for vision.

Temporal lobe

Lobe involved in memory processing and auditory information.

Lateralization

Specialization of brain functions to certain hemispheres; not absolute but influences tendencies.

Myelination

Process of wrapping axons with fat (myelin) to speed neural communication; begins prenatally and continues through childhood.

Synapses

Gaps between neurons where neurotransmitters pass signals; connections strengthen with use.

Pruning

Use-it-or-lose-it elimination of unused neural connections.

Neurons

Nerve cells; axons send signals, dendrites receive signals; foundational units of brain communication.

Pincer grasp

Thumb-and-index-finger grasp used to pick up small objects.