Child Development - Chapter 5

Cephalocaudal Pattern

This growth pattern indicates that development proceeds from the head downwards. The head grows faster than the rest of the body, and physical growth progresses from the top (head) to the bottom (feet). For example, infants can see objects before they can control their torso, and they reach for toys with their feet before using their hands.

Proximodistal Pattern

This growth pattern refers to development that starts at the center of the body and moves outward toward the extremities. Muscle control of the trunk and arms develops before that of the hands and fingers. Infants use their whole hand as a unit before they can control individual fingers.

Infancy - Growth

- Average North American newborn: 20 inches long, 7½ pounds.
- Newborns typically lose 5-7% of body weight in the first days.
- Gain 5-6 ounces per week in the first month.
- Double birth weight by 4 months and triple it by 1 year.
- Grow about 1 inch per month during the first year.

Second Year - Growth

Growth rate slows; by 2 years, infants weigh approximately 26-32 pounds and are about 32-35 inches tall.

Early Childhood - Growth

Growth slows further; children slim down as their trunks lengthen.

Middle and Late Childhood - Growth

Steady growth of 2-3 inches per year and 5-7 pounds annually.

Adolescence - Growth

Rapid growth spurts during puberty.

Increasing Connections

- During early development, there is a rapid increase in synaptic connections (synaptogenesis), with some areas experiencing nearly double the amount of brain material in a year.
- Dendritic growth and myelination also contribute to increased neuronal connections, enhancing communication and processing speed.

Decreasing Connections

- Synaptic pruning occurs, where unused or weak connections are eliminated, resulting in a more efficient neural network.
- This process is influenced by experience; connections that are frequently used are strengthened while others diminish.

Dendrite

Branch-like structures that receive messages from other neurons and transmit them to the cell body.

Axon

A long, thin structure that transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons or muscles.

Myelin Sheath

A fatty layer that insulates the axon, increasing the speed of electrical impulses traveling along the axon.

Axon Terminal

The endpoint of an axon where neurotransmitters are released into the synapse.

Synapse Gap

The small space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another, where neurotransmitters are released and received.

Frontal Lobes

Involved in voluntary movement, thinking, personality, and intentionality or purpose.

Occipital Lobes

Responsible for vision.

Temporal Lobes

Facilitate hearing, language processing, and memory.

Parietal Lobes

Help register spatial location, direct attention, and maintain motor control.

Infancy - Sleep

Newborns sleep 16-17 hours a day, with variability. By 6 months, most infants sleep through the night, waking only occasionally.

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

A critical concern during infancy, where infants may unexpectedly die in their sleep. Risk factors include sleeping on the stomach, exposure to smoke, and overheating.

Infancy - Injury risk

Risks include falls, drowning, and suffocation. Shaken baby syndrome is a significant concern.

Early Childhood - injury risk

Increased mobility leads to higher risks of falls, burns, and accidental poisoning.

Middle Childhood - Injury risk

Risks include sports injuries, falls, and accidents related to increased independence.

Adolescence - Injury risk

Higher risk of injuries from risky behaviors, driving accidents, and substance use.

Infancy - Nutrition

Rapid growth requires proper nutrition; breastfeeding is encouraged for optimal development. Infants typically double their birth weight by 4 months.

Early Childhood - Nutrition

Nutritional needs continue to evolve; children may become picky eaters and require a balanced diet for growth.

Middle Childhood - Nutrition

Growth slows, but nutritional needs remain important for cognitive and physical development.

Adolescence - Nutrition

Nutritional requirements increase again due to growth spurts and hormonal changes.

Puberty

A period of rapid physical maturation involving hormonal changes, typically occurring in early adolescence.

Heredity

Genetic factors influence the timing and progression of puberty.

Environment

Nutritional status, physical health, and psychosocial factors can also impact the onset and progression of puberty.

Boys - Maturing

- Onset of puberty typically occurs between ages 9-14.
- Development of secondary sexual characteristics (e.g., growth of facial hair, deepening of voice) and increased muscle mass.

Girls - Maturing

- Onset of puberty typically occurs between ages 8-13.
- Development of secondary sexual characteristics (e.g., breast development, onset of menstruation) and changes in body fat distribution.