Developmental - Chpt. 4 - Physical Development in Infancy

At what age do most babies begin to walk?

Around 1 year of age.

How many calories should a baby consume per pound per day?

50 calories per pound per day.

What are two benefits of breastfeeding?

Provides immunities against diseases and helps the mother regain her pre-pregnancy figure faster.

What is the age range defined as infancy?

From birth until the second birthday.

What is the average weight of a baby by 5 months?

Around 15 pounds, which is double the birth weight.

What is the average weight of a 1-year-old baby?

About 22 pounds, which is triple the birth weight.

What is the average height of a 2-year-old child?

36 inches tall.

What does the cephalocaudal principle refer to?

Growth that begins with the head and upper body parts and then proceeds to the rest of the body.

What does the proximodistal principle refer to?

Development that proceeds from the center of the body outward.

What is the average brain weight of an infant at birth?

1 pound.

How much does an infant's brain weigh by age two?

It triples to ¾ of adult size.

What is synaptic pruning?

The elimination of neurons as a result of nonuse or lack of stimulation.

What is the role of myelin in the nervous system?

It insulates neurons and speeds the transmission of nerve impulses.

What is plasticity in the context of brain development?

The degree to which a developing structure or behavior is modifiable due to experience.

What is a sensitive period in child development?

A specific but limited time when a child is particularly susceptible to environmental influences.

What is Shaken Baby Syndrome?

A condition caused by shaking an infant, leading to severe brain injury and other medical problems.

What percentage of time do infants spend in active sleep?

50.3% of the time.

What is the average amount of sleep for newborns?

16 to 17 hours a day.

What is Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID)?

The abrupt death of an infant under 1 year old, unanticipated.

What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?

A disorder where seemingly healthy infants die in their sleep.

What is the most common cause of SUID?

Accidental suffocation and strangulation.

What preventive measure is recommended to reduce the risk of SIDS?

The back-to-sleep guideline.

What is the purpose of REM sleep in infants?

To provide a means for the brain to stimulate itself, a process called autostimulation.

What is the average sleep duration for infants by one year?

About 15 hours, with most sleeping through the night.

What happens to the proportions of an infant's body during the first two years?

The head accounts for ¼ of the newborn's body size, while the rest of the body begins to catch up.

What age range has the highest risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?

Between 2nd and 4th months.

Which gender is at a slightly higher risk for SIDS?

Males.

What factors increase the risk of SIDS in infants?

Low birth weight, premature birth, mothers who smoked during pregnancy, certain brain abnormalities, and siblings who died from SIDS.

What are some physical factors associated with SIDS?

Brain defects, low birth weight, and respiratory infections.

What environmental factors may be associated with SIDS?

Sleeping on the stomach or side, sleeping on a soft surface, sharing a bed, and overheating.

What is the rooting reflex and when does it disappear?

An infant's tendency to turn its head toward things that touch its cheek, disappearing around 3 weeks.

What is the Moro reflex and when does it disappear?

Activated when support for the neck and head is suddenly removed, disappearing around 6 months.

What is the Babinski reflex and when does it disappear?

An infant fans out its toes in response to a stroke on the outside of its foot, disappearing around 8-12 months.

What is the startle reflex and how long does it last?

An infant flings out its arms and arches its back in response to a sudden noise; it remains in different forms throughout life.

At what age can most infants sit unsupported?

By 6 months.

When do most infants begin crawling?

Between 8 to 10 months.

What is the average age at which half of children can walk alone?

By 1 year.

What is the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale used for?

To determine infants' neurological and behavioral responses to their environment.

What does proper nutrition provide for infants?

Essential nutrients for physical, cognitive, and social development.

What are the benefits of breast milk for infants?

Contains essential nutrients, offers immunity, is easily digested, and may enhance cognitive growth.

What is the difference between sensation and perception?

Sensation is the physical stimulation of sense organs, while perception is the interpretation and analysis of that sensory information.

At what distance can newborn infants typically see?

No further than 20 feet.

What visual ability do infants typically develop by 6 months?

20/20 vision.

What does the Visual Cliff study examine?

The depth perception of infants.

What is the purpose of the Visual Cliff apparatus?

To test infants' responses to depth perception by creating an illusion of a drop-off.