Prenatal and Infant Development

Flashcards summarizing key concepts from the lecture on prenatal and infant development.

Prenatal Development

The period of development from conception to birth.

Germinal Stage

The first stage of prenatal development, occurring in the first week after conception.

Embryonic Stage

The stage of prenatal development from the 2nd to the 3rd week of gestation until about the end of the 8th week.

Foetal Stage

The final stage of prenatal development, occurring from the 3rd month to delivery.

Teratogens

Environmental agents that can cause birth defects during prenatal development.

Cephalocaudal Pattern

Physical growth that occurs from top to bottom, where head develops before the trunk.

Proximodistal Pattern

Physical growth that starts at the center of the body and moves toward the extremities.

Reflexes

Innate, involuntary actions such as sucking and grasping seen in infants.

Motor Skills Milestones

Developmental benchmarks for gross motor skills, such as rolling over, sitting, and walking.

Basic Emotions

Primary emotions that emerge early in life, including fear, joy, and disgust.

Cognitive Development

The progression of understanding and processing one's environment and learning.

Habituation

The process of becoming used to a stimulus after repeated exposure.

Depth Perception

The ability to perceive the world in three dimensions and judge distance.

Auditory Development

The development of hearing abilities in infants, often beginning before birth.

Social Development

The evolution of social skills and emotional connections during infancy.