ECED 220 Chapter 2

Growth definition

physical changes and increases in child’s size

What causes observable increases in height, weight, and size during growth?

an increase in cell numbers and enlargement of existing cells

Head circumference definition

measurement of the head taken at its largest point

During which life stages is growth especially rapid?

infancy and adolescence

Growth is a sensitive indicator of a child’s…

overall wellness

Development definition

increase in complexity, from simple to more complicated and detailed

The progressive acquisition of developmental skills involves a dynamic interaction of ____ and ____ factors

biological and environmental factors (nature vs. nurture)

Developmental milestones defintion

major markers or points of accomplishment

What 4 skills are milestones useful for tracking?

motor, social, cognitive, and language skills

When does a child usually begin to smile?

at 10-12 weeks

When does a child usually begin to say their first word?

around 12 months

Examples of developmental milestones that depend on biological maturation

sitting, walking, and talking

Sequences of development definition

predictable steps along a developmental pathway common to a majority of children

Jargon definition

unintelligible speech; in young children, it usually includes sounds and inflections of the native language

Discontinuity definition

development that occurs in irregular periods or stages; not a smooth process

Regression definition

taking a step or two backwards - normal and to be expected

Age-level expectancies definition

chronological or age-related levels of development - no exact point in time

Norms definition

average age at which a developmental skills are acquired by most children in a given culture

What lays the foundation for all other aspects of a child’s development?

brain maturation

When does the brain development occur rapidly?

during the first year

What interferes with infant brain growth?

poor nutrition before/after birth

Infants and brain cells

they are born with a million brain cells - more than they’ll ever need or use

Neural connections definition

organized linkages formed between brain cells as a result of learning

When are neural connections formed?

when chemical reactions in the brain are triggered by sensory input and learning experiences

When do neural connections become stronger?

during repeated use

Plasticity definition

the brain’s ability to change and reorganize its structure as a result of learning

Pruning definition

the process of eliminating unused neurons and neural connections to strengthen those that the child is actively using

Temperament definition

refers to the genetic component of an individual’s personality

6 domains of development

physical, social-emotional, cognitive, motor, perceptual, and language

Gender identity

our sense of being male or female

Ecological Factors

• financial resources - availability of food/shelter

• cultural values and practices

• general health and nutrition - access to prenatal and postnatal care

• parent’s level of education

• families understanding of responsibility before and after birth

• family communication

• family structure

Transactional process definition

the give and take relationship between children, their caregivers, and daily events that influences behavior and developmental outcomes

Children at risk

born into harmful situations, premature/low birth weight, born to parent out of normal age range (teen or 40s)

Atypical growth and development 

children who have developmental differences, deviations, or marked delays

Causes of atypical growth

genetic errors, poor health, inadequate nutrition, injury, too few/poor-quality learning opportunities

How do children learn best?

through play

What strategies can people use to promote early learning?

• talk frequently

• read often

• label actions + objects

• provide explanations + descriptions

• sing songs

• dance

Domain #1 - Physical/Growth Development

• governs the major tasks of infancy and childhood

• result from genetic and environmental interactions

• can’t be hurried

Domain #2 - Motor Development

• the child’s ability to move and control various body parts

• dependent on brain maturation

What are the 3 principles of motor development?

cephalocaudal, proximodistal, and refinement

Cephalocaudal

bone and muscular development from head to toe

Proximodistal

bone and muscular development with improved control of muscle starting at the body moving outward to extremities

Refinement

progressive improvement in ability to perform fine and gross motor skills

Gross motor skills definition

physical abilities involving large body movements (walking/jumping)

Fine motor skills definition

physical abilities involving small body movements, especially of the hands and fingers (drawing, brush teeth) 

Domain #3 - Perceptual Development

the way a child uses information obtained by their senses; enables focus on what’s important and blocks out the rest

What are the 3 perceptual development key terms?

multi-sensory, habituation, and sensory integration

Multi-sensory definition

ability to recognize information from multiple senses (watching + listening)

Habituation definition

Child’s ability to focus on one specific task and tune the rest out

Sensory integration definition

the process by which the brain combines information taken in through the sense to make a whole

Domain #4 - Cognitive Development

the expansion of intellect/mental abilities involving recognition, processing, organizing information

Domain #5 - Language Development

• depends on maturation and understanding of symbolic representation

• consists of gestures, spoken and written communication

Receptive language definition

ability to understand what is said

Expressive language definition

the ability to use sounds, signs, or symbols to communicate meaning

Domain #6 - Social and Emotional 

• fostered through nurturing and consistent relationships with caregivers

• attachment contributes to trust and security

• includes learning social rules, gender roles, cultural expectations, necessary for achieving autonomy