Elem Child Dev EXAM 1 Study Set

Domains of Development

Physical, cognitive, and social‑emotional development.

Factors in Developmental Journey

Nature, nurture, child activity, existing conditions.

Nature Influence

Inherited tendencies shape responsiveness to environment.

Nurture Influence

Environmental experiences shape development.

Timing of Environmental Exposure

Younger children absorb experiences more readily (“like a sponge”).

Universality

Changes seen in almost everyone (motor skills, language).

Diversity

Individual developmental differences due to genetics, relationships, etc.

Qualitative Change

Stage‑like, discontinuous shifts (walking → running).

Quantitative Change

Gradual, continuous accumulation of skills.

Biological Theories

Development driven by heredity and maturation.

Biological Theory Principles

Maturational limits, age‑related motivations, unique dispositions.

Behaviorist Theory

Development shaped by environmental rewards/punishments.

Social Learning Theory

Children learn by observing others and anticipating consequences.

Social Learning Key Principle

Confidence based on past experiences with tasks.

Psychodynamic Theory

Development shaped by internal conflicts + early experiences.

Cognitive‑Development Theory

Qualitative changes in thinking; children cannot think beyond their stage.

Cognitive Process Theory

Focus on how children interpret, remember, and think.

Sociocultural Theory

Learning shaped by cultural tools, social interaction, real settings.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

Gap between what a child can do alone vs. with help.

Developmental Systems Theory

Multiple interacting systems (family, peers, school, society).

Self‑Report

Interviews and questionnaires.

Assessment

Tests and standardized measures (IQ, achievement).

Physiological Measures

Heart rate, hormones, brain activity.

Observation

Watching behavior in natural or structured settings.

Hypothesis

Prediction based on theory.

Theory

Broad explanation of behavior or development.

Scientific Method Steps

Pose → Design → Collect → Analyze → Share.

Ethical Principle: Do No Harm

Protect children from stress, embarrassment, or pain.

Assent vs. Consent

Children give assent; caregivers give consent.

Privacy Protection

Use fictitious names; remove identifying info.

Universal Genes

Abilities shared by all humans (walking, language).

Genes Creating Diversity

Traits like height, weight, personality.

Gene Expression Factors

Maturation and environment.

Prenatal development - Zygote Stage

Fertilization to 2 weeks.

Prenatal Development - Embryo Stage

2–3 weeks to 8 weeks; body structures form.

Prental Development - Fetus Stage

9 weeks to birth; brain development.

Teratogens

Harmful substances (drugs, infections, toxins, stress).

Teratogen Timing Effects

Embryo: body development; fetus: brain development.

Precocious Puberty

Early onset (girls ≤8, boys ≤9).

Precocious Causes

Genes, infection, nutrition, stress.

Precocious Risks

Bullying, sexual abuse risk, shorter adult height, risky behavior.

Delayed Puberty

No signs by typical ages (girls 13–15; boys 14).

Delayed Causes

Genetics, chronic illness, eating disorders, malnutrition, excessive exercise.

Infancy Motor Trends

Cephalocaudal (head → toe) and proximodistal (center → outward).

Infancy Milestones

Reflexes, rapid growth, crawling → walking, hand‑eye coordination.

Early Childhood Motor Skills

Gross (running, climbing) and fine (drawing, cutting).

Middle Childhood

Steady growth, sports participation, improved writing.

Early Adolescence

Rapid height growth, puberty onset, risk‑taking.

Late Adolescence

Mature height (girls), continued growth (boys), sexual activity, risky behaviors.

Infant Sleep

16–18 hours/day; never place infants on stomach to sleep.

Childhood Sleep

Gradual decrease; habits form early.

Adolescent Sleep Deprivation

Impairs reasoning, learning, memory.

Sleep Recommendations for Educators

Provide nap time, avoid excessive homework, schedule reasonable event times.

Overweight Rate

17% of U.S. children.

Health Risks of Childhood Obesity

Asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol.

School Role

Offer nutritious food; increase physical activity opportunities.

Brain Structures - Hindbrain

Breathing, sleep, blood pressure, movement.

Midbrain

Relay between hindbrain and forebrain.

Forebrain

Thinking, emotion, motivation.

Neural Networks

Limbic, sensorimotor, visual, auditory, default, attention, executive, language.

recommended hrs of sleep for infants

14-17 hrs

recommended hrs of sleep for school-age children

9-11 hrs

recommended hrs of sleep for teens

8-10

importance of sleep

energy gains, cognitive ability, removal of toxins, self-regulation, psychosocial health

REM sleep

brain is very active, dreaming occurs, breathing and heartrate irregular

NREM sleep

cycles of deep sleep that ARE NOT REM sleep

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

sudden unexplained death of a baby <1 year of age without a known cause

Delayed Phase Preference (DPP)

shift in circadian pattern, later bed, wake times.

Role of Melatonin

At puberty, later rise in melatonin associated with getting sleepy later in the evening, well into morning.

Sleep tips for infants

consistent sleep schedule, freindly sleep environment, sleep training

Sleep tips for toddlers

develop daily slee pschedule and bedtime routine, encourage use of a security object, put them to bed awake, set lmits

Sleep Tips for Preschoolers

maintain consistent bedtime routine, soothing sleep environment, avoid caffiene, set limits

Sleep tips for School-Age children

bedroom routine, snack, no caffiene, no late evening activities, no television and electronics before bedtime

Sleep tips for teens

get a full night’s rest, don’t stay up to cram for tests, be cautious of consumption of stimulants right before bed, get off screens

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Ratio of weight to height, computed from weight in kilograms deivided by the equare of height in meters.

Issues with BMI

does not measure body fat directly, and does not account for muscular athletes

Influences on Obesity

Interplay of genes (ex: genetic predisposition) and environmental factors (inadequate exercise, poor nutrition

Family influences on Nutrition

As children grow, they develop habits and preferences during meals at home, Meals can be unhealthy when resources are limited.

Consequences of Obesity (Physical)

increased risk of diabetes, HBP

Consequences of Obesity (Psychosocial)

depression, stigmatization in some racial/ethnic groups

Percentage of children meeting physical activity standards

Boys = 15%, Girls = 10%

Recommendations for School-based Prevention of Obesity

Address nutrition and physical activity in Health Education Programs, incorporate healthy eating and physical activity themes into subject areas, provide wellness programs for school staff.