Life Span Development: Prenatal Influences & Infancy

This set of flashcards contains key terms and concepts related to prenatal influences and infancy, summarizing essential information for studying life span development.

Healthy People 2030

A set of goals and objectives for improving the health of the nation.

Prenatal influences

Factors that affect a developing fetus during pregnancy.

Human Genome Project

A research project to map all genes in the human genome.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

The genetic material that carries the instructions for life.

Gene

The basic unit of heredity that contains instructions for specific traits.

Chromosome

A structure that contains DNA and genetic information.

Alleles

Different forms of a gene that can occur at a specific locus.

Dominant gene

A gene that expresses its trait even when only one copy is present.

Recessive gene

A gene whose effect is only observed when two copies are present.

Sex chromosomes

Chromosomes that determine an individual's sex; XX for female and XY for male.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an individual.

Phenotype

The observable physical characteristics of an individual.

Carrier

An individual who has one copy of a recessive allele that is not expressed.

Genetic mutations

Changes in DNA sequence that can lead to abnormal traits or diseases.

Dominant gene disorders

Genetic disorders where only one copy of the mutant gene is needed for the disorder to manifest.

Recessive gene disorders

Conditions that require two copies of a mutant gene to show symptoms.

Teratogens

Environmental agents that can cause harm during prenatal development.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

A condition caused by alcohol exposure in the womb, leading to physical and developmental issues.

Critical periods

Specific times during development when certain processes are very sensitive to environmental influences.

Twins

Two types are dizygotic (fraternal) and monozygotic (identical).

Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)

A genetic disorder characterized by the presence of an extra chromosome 21.

Genetic counseling

A process to help individuals understand and adapt to the medical, psychological, and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease.

Gene therapy

The treatment of disease by altering the genes of the affected cells.

Breastfeeding

Feeding an infant with milk directly from the mother's breast; recommended for the first 6 months.

Malnutrition

A condition that occurs when the body does not get enough nutrients.

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

The sudden, unexplained death of an infant, usually during sleep.

Cognitive development

The process of acquiring intelligence and increasingly complex thought processes.

Attachment

The emotional bond that develops between an infant and their caregiver.

Developmental milestones

Significant points in development characterized by specific abilities achieved by infants.

Motor skills

The abilities required to control the large and small muscles of the body.

Language development

The process of acquiring the capacity to communicate using language.

Object permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen.

Sensory development

The progression of sensory abilities in infants.

Cephalocaudal pattern

Development that occurs from the head down to the toes.

Proximodistal pattern

Development that occurs from the center of the body outward.

Reflexes

Involuntary responses to stimuli, important for survival in infants.

Health promotion

Strategies to improve health and prevent disease.

Microbiomes

Communities of microorganisms living in the body that affect health.

Prenatal care

Healthcare provided to a woman during her pregnancy.

Maternal adaptations

Changes that occur in a mother during pregnancy.

APGAR scale

A quick assessment method to evaluate a newborn's health.

Bonding

The process of forming a close emotional relationship between parent and infant.

Separation anxiety

A developmental stage where infants become distressed when separated from their primary caregiver.

Stranger anxiety

The distress infants experience when encountering an unfamiliar person.

Family dynamics

The patterns of interactions between family members.

Nutrition during pregnancy

The dietary requirements for pregnant individuals to support fetal development.

Birth defects

Physical or biochemical abnormalities present at birth.

Gestational age

The age of a fetus or newborn calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period.

SUID

Sudden unexpected infant deaths, often related to sleep-related issues.

Immunization

The process of making a person immune to a disease through vaccination.

Public health measures

Actions taken to improve the health of populations.

Cognitive milestones

Key developments in thinking and understanding during infancy.

Physical growth

An increase in the size of the body.

Emotional development

The progression of emotional understanding and expression in individuals.

Social development

The changes in an individual's ability to interact with others.

Intelligence development

The growth of cognitive abilities that enable individuals to learn and adapt.

Play as learning

The idea that play is essential for cognitive and social development.

Visual cliff experiment

A study that assesses depth perception in infants.

Research tools

Methods and instruments used in studies to gather and analyze data.

Piaget's stages of development

A theory of cognitive development detailing how children learn and think.

Freud's oral stage

The stage in which an infant derives pleasure from oral stimulation.

Erikson's trust vs. mistrust

The psychosocial conflict during infancy where trust develops as needs are met.

Neonatal reflexes

Automatic responses seen in newborns that indicate neurological health.

Developmental tasks

Specific challenges that individuals must navigate at different stages of life.

Behavioral genetics

The study of how genetics influences behavior.

Infant mortality

The death of an infant before their first birthday.

Fetal development stages

The periods of growth and change from conception to birth.

Child abuse identification

Recognizing signs and symptoms of abuse in children.

Safe sleep practices

Recommendations to reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths.

Environmental influences on development

The impact of surroundings on the growth and progress of infants.

Role of nutrition in development

The influence of dietary intake on the physical and cognitive growth of infants.

Caring for newborns

The practices involved in taking care of infants during the early days of life.

Rovee-Collier experiment

A study that explored memory retention in infants.

Early brain development

The initial growth of the brain, establishing connections and pathways.

Neural pruning

The process by which unused neural connections are eliminated.

Gross motor skills

Large muscle movements that involve the whole body.

Fine motor skills

Small muscle movements, especially in the hands and fingers.

Parenting styles

The different approaches that parents take in raising their children.

Infant immunization schedule

Recommended timeline for childhood vaccinations.

Developmental screenings

Assessment tools used to track a child's growth and development.

Infant health disparities

Differences in health outcomes among infants from different backgrounds.

Maternal health

The health status of women during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Pregnancy complications

Potential problems that can arise during pregnancy.

Support systems in parenting

Networks of family and friends that provide assistance to new parents.

Impact of teratogens

The effects of harmful substances on fetal development.

Genetic predisposition

An increased likelihood of developing a particular disease based on genetics.

Stimulation for brain development

Activities and experiences that promote healthy neurodevelopment.

SIDS risk factors

Factors that increase the likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome.

Child development theories

Frameworks that explain how children grow and change over time.

Infant reflexes

Automatic movements that infants demonstrate in response to stimuli.

Parental attachment styles

Different ways that parents bond with their infants.

Cultural influences on parenting

The role of cultural norms in shaping parenting practices.

Breastfeeding benefits

The positive impacts of breastfeeding for both mother and child.

Nutritional deficiencies

Lack of essential nutrients that can affect health.

Infant bonding techniques

Strategies to enhance the emotional connection between parent and infant.

Environmental stressors

Factors in the environment that can negatively impact development.

Developmental psychology

The study of how and why human beings change over the course of their life.

Risk factors for developmental delays

Conditions or behaviors that increase the likelihood of delay in development.

Health behaviors during pregnancy

Actions taken by pregnant individuals that affect their health and that of their fetus.

Childhood obesity prevention

Strategies to avoid excessive weight gain in children.