chapter 5: Child Development: Growth, Brain, Language, and Play Milestones

What is the average height increase per year for children aged 2-6?

2-3 inches

What is the average weight gain per year for children aged 2-6?

4-5 pounds

What is the average height and weight of a 6-year-old child?

45 inches tall and 45 pounds

How do body proportions change from age 3 to age 6?

Body proportions become more adult-like, with a decrease in head-to-body ratio and longer legs.

What percentage of adult brain size is reached by age 6?

90%

What are the key aspects of neural development in early childhood?

Continued myelination, overproduction of dendrites and synapses, and synaptic pruning based on experiences.

How do environmental factors influence brain development?

Stimulation enhances brain structure, socioeconomic factors affect development, and caregiver warmth promotes advanced brain networks.

What is lateralization in brain development?

The processing of functions in specific hemispheres, with the left hemisphere focusing on language and logic, and the right hemisphere on emotional expression and visual-spatial skills.

What is the prevalence of left-handedness in the population?

About 10% of the population is left-handed.

What macronutrients are essential for early childhood development?

Carbohydrates for energy, proteins for growth and tissue repair, and fats for brain development and vitamin absorption.

What are some healthy eating habits for young children?

Offer a variety of nutritious foods, allow self-regulation of portions, model positive eating behaviors, and avoid food battles.

What are the sleep needs for children aged 3-6?

10-13 hours per 24-hour period.

What are common sleep problems in early childhood?

Fear of the dark, bad dreams, and night terrors.

What are the leading health concerns for children in early childhood?

Unintentional injuries, infectious diseases, and environmental hazards.

What are some preventive measures for health risks in early childhood?

Childproofing environments, adult supervision, and regular medical check-ups.

What gross motor skills are typically developed by ages 2-3?

Climbing with confidence, ascending stairs with alternating feet, and running.

What fine motor skills are typically developed by ages 4-5?

Using scissors with control, drawing recognizable figures, and beginning to tie shoes.

What is the recommended amount of physical activity for children aged 3-4?

3 hours daily of physical activity, with 1 hour of moderate-to-vigorous intensity.

What are the key characteristics of Piaget's preoperational stage?

Symbolic representation, imaginative play, development of language, and limited logical reasoning.

What is egocentrism in early childhood development?

The difficulty in seeing others' perspectives.

What is centration in early childhood cognitive development?

The focus on one aspect at a time, leading to misunderstandings about quantities.

What is the significance of caregiver warmth in brain development?

It promotes the development of advanced brain networks.

What is synaptic pruning?

The process of eliminating weaker synaptic connections while strengthening others based on experiences.

How does socioeconomic status affect child development?

It influences access to resources and enriching experiences that promote healthy development.

What is the impact of modeling positive eating behaviors?

Children are more likely to adopt healthy eating habits when they see caregivers practicing them.

What is the role of physical activity in early childhood development?

It supports motor skill development, bone and muscle strength, cognitive development, and mental health.

What is the definition of Theory of Mind?

Understanding that others have different thoughts, beliefs, and knowledge than oneself.

What do false belief tasks assess?

Children's understanding that others can hold incorrect beliefs.

What is the three-mountains task used for?

To assess a child's ability to take another's visual perspective.

At what age do children have a limited understanding of Theory of Mind?

Age 3.

When is Theory of Mind well-established in children?

By age 6.

What is an example of a false-belief task?

A 5-year-old predicting where a friend will look for a toy based on their last knowledge.

What are the main components of Information Processing Theory?

Attention, memory, and executive function.

How does attention develop during early childhood?

There is increasing attentional control.

What improvements occur in memory during early childhood?

Improved working memory and enhanced information processing speed.

What is autobiographical memory?

Memories of personal experiences that develop during early childhood.

What memory strategies begin to emerge in early childhood?

Rehearsal strategies and organizational strategies.

What is Vygotsky's concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)?

The gap between current ability and potential skills that can be achieved with guidance.

What does scaffolding refer to in Vygotsky's theory?

Temporary support during learning that is gradually removed as skills improve.

How do children learn according to Rogoff's perspective?

Through observation and participation in household and community activities.

What is phonology in language development?

The sound system of language.

What vocabulary milestone is typically reached by age 5?

Children have a vocabulary of over 10,000 words.

What are the language development milestones for a 3-year-old?

Uses 3-5 word sentences and follows 2-3 step directions.

What factors influence language development in children?

Quantity and quality of language exposure, socioeconomic factors, and parental education levels.

What is emergent literacy?

Skills like print awareness and phonological awareness that develop before formal reading.

What are the types of play identified by Parten?

Unoccupied play, solitary play, onlooker play, parallel play, associative play, cooperative play.

How does play contribute to cognitive development?

Through problem-solving, creativity, and language development.

What are some challenges to play in modern education?

Decreasing time for play in schools and increased screen time.

What is the significance of play according to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child?

Play is recognized as a right for children.

What is an example of cooperative play?

Children engaging in organized play with defined roles and rules.

What are the cognitive advantages of multilingual development?

Similar developmental timelines to monolinguals and possible cognitive benefits.

What is the role of caregiver conversations in memory development?

They influence the development of autobiographical memory.