U of U Psych 1010 Module 9: Child Development

Synaptogenesis

Creating synapses that make connections between the neurons in the brain

Synaptic pruning

Times when the brain gets rid of unnecessary synaptic connections

Myelination - Infants

Happens in the sensory cortex (processing sensation)

Myelination - Adulthood

Happens in the prefrontal cortex

Myelination - 2nd Year

Happens in the motor coordination areas

Varied Experiences

What experiences children get in childhood great effects their brain structure

Experience-Expectant Processes

Things our brains are wired for, and we need to experience it to learn it. Like language

Experience-Dependent Processes

Not everyone gets the same experiences, and the experiences chain the connections in the brain. Forming different connections based on the different experiences

Synaptic Plasticity

Brains are more adjustable, and can handle change and new experiences more easily. Children’s brains are more flexible.

Specialization

As we get older, our brains get better at specific things and less good at being flexible. Makes some things more efficient, letting us do complex thinking better.

Critical Periods

Time when exposure to certain things, like language, is critical for development

Chronotopic Constraints

The idea that we have the capacity to remember events happening in order, and relating information to other remembered events

Jean Piaget

Swiss psychologist who created the idea that children progress through stages of cognitive development.

Schema

“Boxes” are made with the info that we know, and we think we know how everything works.

Schema Assimilation

Adding new info to the schema that works with the info that is already there

Schema Accommodation

Changing the schema to fit the new information

Sensorimotor stage

Birth to 2 years old, the stage where they learn by their senses

Preoperational stage

2-7 years old. The stage where they learn through language, and start thinking. Social dramatic play is a BIG DEAL

Social Dramatic Play

Roleplaying with other kids, helps to develop social skills and empathy

Concrete operational stage

7-11 years old. Logic gets better, kids know conservation of matter. Can’t do hypotheticals well.

Formal operational stage

12+ years old. They can think hypothetically, look at variables, isolate variables, and get much better at abstract thought

Lev Vygotsky

Socio-Cultural Developmental Theory. The culture and family in which you are born heavily shapes your development

Attachment Styles

Children (and people) develop different forms of attachment which can effect the rest of their lives

Secure

65% of people. Child is calm when mother is there, cries when she leaves, but easily is comforted when she returns

Anxious/avoidant

20% of people. When the mother leaves, child has very little reaction. But, physiologically, they are getting very anxious and worried

Anxious/ambivalent

10-15% of people. Distressed when the mother leaves, and is hard to comfort when she returns

Disorganized

5-10% of people. Multiple categories, varies a lot. Can mean a variety of things, ranging from neurological problems, trauma, or other things

Temperament

From Thomas and Chess. It is the general behavior of babies/children, and seems to be an inherent thing with each child.

Neurogenesis

The creation of new neurons in the brain. Most active during early childhood development

Abuse in Children and serotonin

Abuse changes serotonin functioning in the brain, predisposing abused children to behave aggressively

What phase of life in synaptic plasticity greatest?

Infancy

Vygotsky's Scaffolding Theory

A parent or teacher's ability to understand where a child's skill level is, and provide just enough support to get them to the next level.

Lev Vygotsky’s first plane

social plane

Lev Vygotsky’s second plane

Internal

Lev Vygotsky’s third plane

Psychological

assimilation and accommodation

Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development