Chapter 3: The Infancy (De babytijd)

Comprehensive vocabulary cards covering physical, motor, cognitive, sense-perception, and socio-emotional development during infancy as described in the lecture notes.

Physiological Premature Birth (Portmann)

The concept that humans are born relatively helpless and dependent on others for survival, which promotes bonding and efficient developmental self-reliance.

Synaptic Pruning (Wegsnoeien)

The biological process where redundant or unused neuron connections die off to make the brain function more efficiently.

Dendrite

The branching extensions of a neuron cell body that receive information from other neurons.

Axon

The long extension of a neuron cell body along which information is transmitted to other neurons via synapses.

Myelin

The fatty sheath around an axon that ensures faster transfer of information.

Brain Lateralization

The specialization of functions between the two brain hemispheres, such as the left hemisphere handling language and emotions and the right hemisphere handling spatial insight.

Archaic Reflexes

Transient reflexes in neonates that were historically necessary for survival, such as the crawling, stepping, and swimming reflexes.

Moro-reflex

A startle response in infants where they extend their arms and then bring them back in, often triggered by a sudden loss of support.

Babinski-reflex

A reflex lasting until about the first year where the big toe moves upward and the other toes fan out when the sole of the foot is stroked.

Snuffel- of zoekreflex (Rooting reflex)

A non-archaic reflex where the baby turns its head toward a stimulus on the cheek, facilitating feeding.

Prechtl’s 5 States of Vigilance

The behavioral states of an infant, including deep sleep, REM sleep, passive wakefulness, active wakefulness, and crying.

Proximodistal Axis

A growth direction occurring from the center of the body toward the extremities (from gross to fine motor skills).

Cefalo-caudal Axis

A growth direction occurring from the head downward to the feet.

Pincer Grasp (Pincetgreep)

A fine motor skill where an infant uses the thumb and index finger to pick up objects, typically developing after the palmar grasp.

Binocular Fixation

The ability to focus both eyes on a single object to achieve depth perception, usually appearing after the first month.

Visual Cliff Experiment

A study used to test depth perception where infants ($6-14$ months) are placed on a glass plate over a perceived drop; a drop in heart rate indicates interest rather than fear.

Habituation

A learning process where an infant quickly becomes accustomed to a constant or repeated stimulus.

Assimilation

In Piaget's theory, the process of fitting new environmental features into existing mental schemas (e.g., trying to adapt a pacifier to existing mouth movements).

Accommodation

In Piaget's theory, the process of adjusting internal mental schemas to fit new environmental features (e.g., changing mouth movements to fit a specific pacifier).

Primary Circular Reactions ($1-4$ months)

A sensorimotor stage where positive behaviors are repeated, focused entirely on the infant's own body (e.g., flapping hands or sucking a thumb).

Secondary Circular Reactions ($4-8$ months)

A sensorimotor stage where the infant repeats actions to see results in the outside world, showing the beginning of eye-hand coordination.

Object Permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are hidden from view, typically developing around $8$ months.

Tertiary Circular Reactions ($12-18$ months)

A stage in the toddler period where the child experiments with "what if" scenarios, such as dropping things from different heights.

Adualism (Unity Experience)

A state at birth where the infant has no awareness of the distinction between themselves and others.

Mirror Test (Rouge Test)

A test for self-recognition where a red spot is placed on a child's forehead; self-recognition is confirmed if the child touches their own nose when looking in a mirror (usually around $18$ months).

Theory of Separate Minds ($7-15$ months)

Stern's concept of the 'subjective self' where the infant realizes others have their own feelings, goals, and subjective worlds.

Social Smile

A smile directed at others to establish contact, typically appearing between the $6th$ and $8th$ week.

Polyglot Babbling

Infant babbling around $4$ months that includes sounds from many different languages, not just the native one.

Monoglot Babbling

Infant babbling around $8$ months that becomes restricted to the sounds and rhythms of the native language.

Sensitieve Responsiviteit

The caregiver's ability to accurately sense and appropriately respond to the child's needs and signals, crucial for secure attachment.

Secure Attachment (Veilig Gehecht)

An attachment pattern comprising about $58\%$ of children where the caregiver is used as a safe base for exploration and is sought out immediately upon return.

Avoidant Attachment (Vermijdend Gehecht)

An attachment pattern ($23\%$) where the child shows little distress during separation and avoids the caregiver upon their return.

Resistant/Ambivalent Attachment (Afwerend Gehecht)

An attachment pattern ($19\%$) where the child is extremely clingy but displays aggression (hitting/kicking) when the caregiver returns after a separation.

Disorganized Attachment

A problematic attachment pattern ($<1\%$) where the child shows confusing or contradictory behaviors, often due to fear of the caregiver or abuse.

Intergenerational Transmission

The phenomenon where the parenting practices and attachment styles of one generation influence or repeat in the next.

Secure Base Script

A cognitive mental scenario identifying the caregiver as a predictable source of safety and care.