Chapter 8 Early Childhood, Biosocial Development

A comprehensive set of 50 vocabulary flashcards derived from Chapter 8 focusing on early childhood biosocial development, covering essential concepts, definitions, and terms.

Growth patterns

Children become slimmer with noticeable body changes, adding almost 2 inches in height and gaining about 4 ½ lbs in weight each year from ages 2 to 6.

Nutritional deficiencies

Even in developed nations, children may consume enough calories but lack adequate nutrients like iron, zinc, and calcium.

Unhealthy eating

High sugar consumption is tied to many customs and practices, often leading to health problems.

Childhood obesity

Factors linked to childhood obesity include low socioeconomic status, family habits, and parental underestimation of the problem.

Allergies in preschool children

2-8% of preschoolers may have specific allergies to common foods like cow's milk, eggs, and nuts.

Brain growth by age 2

A child's brain weighs 75% of its adult weight and undergoes significant dendrite sprouting and pruning.

Myelination

The process that increases the speed of thought, crucial for brain development in early childhood.

Corpus callosum

A thick band of nerve fibers connecting the left and right hemispheres of the brain, important for communication.

Lateralization

The specialization of each hemisphere of the brain, with one side being dominant for specific tasks.

Prefrontal cortex

The area of the brain involved in planning, analyzing, and developing self-control, which matures through childhood.

Emotional regulation

The ability to manage and control emotions, which develops as the prefrontal cortex matures.

Motor skills at age 2

A two-year-old can run without falling, climb from a crib, and feed themselves with a spoon.

Motor skills at age 3

A three-year-old can kick and throw a ball, jump with both feet, and walk down stairs.

Motor skills at age 4

A four-year-old can catch a beach ball, use scissors, and dress themselves.

Gross motor skills

Large movements involving larger muscles, influenced by brain maturation and motivation.

Fine motor skills

Skills involving small hand and finger movements, more difficult to master than gross motor skills.

Artistic expression in early childhood

Artistic skills develop gradually through practice and maturation, with encouragement aiding development.

Environmental hazards

Pollutants and chemicals are particularly harmful to developing brains, causing various health issues.

Lead poisoning

A toxic condition caused by lead exposure, especially damaging to young, developing brains.

Accidents as a leading cause of death

More children die from accidental or deliberate violence than from any specific disease.

Injury control

Actions aimed at reducing harm from injuries, including child safety measures.

Primary prevention

Actions taken to change overall conditions and prevent unwanted events, like introducing traffic lights.

Secondary prevention

Actions that prevent harm in high-risk situations, such as stopping a car to avoid an accident.

Tertiary prevention

Immediate and effective treatment after an adverse event to limit harm or prevent disability.

Child maltreatment

Intentional harm or avoidable endangerment to anyone under 18 years of age.

Child neglect

Failure to meet a child’s basic physical, educational, or emotional needs.

Substantiated maltreatment

Harm or endangerment that has been reported, investigated, and confirmed.

Reported maltreatment

Harm or endangerment about which authorities have been notified.

Frequency of maltreatment reports

While reports have increased, substantiated rates of maltreatment have decreased since 1990.

Primary prevention in maltreatment

Focuses on improving macrosystem and exosystem conditions to prevent maltreatment.

Secondary prevention in maltreatment

Intervenes to identify and support at-risk children showing insecure attachment.

Tertiary prevention in maltreatment

Limits harm after maltreatment through foster care and other support systems.

Kinship care

A form of foster care where relatives take care of a child removed from the home.

Adoption

A legal process where an individual or couple becomes the legal parents of a child.

Health hazards for young children

Includes factors such as nutritional deficiencies and exposure to environmental toxins.

Social understanding

The ability to interpret social cues and emotions, aided by brain development.

Cognitive development

Growth in the ability to think, learn, and process information during early childhood.

Parenting styles

Different approaches to raising children that can influence their development.

Cultural influences on development

The role of cultural context in shaping children's development and expression.

Cognitive flexibility

The ability to switch between thinking about different concepts or tasks.

Child development milestones

Benchmarks that children typically reach at certain ages in physical and cognitive skills.

Importance of play

Play is essential for fostering growth and development in early childhood.

Safety in play

Creating safe environments for children to explore and learn through play.

Supportive environments

Settings that encourage healthy development through safety and engagement.