Study Notes on Emotional Development and Regulation

Overview of emotional development and emotional regulation.
- Focus on infancy, adolescence, and emerging adulthood, particularly for individuals aged 18 to 25.
- Discussion on the concept of extended adolescence and its overlapping adult qualities.
- Connection between poll items in the class and emotional development topics.

Importance of maternal behavior during the embryonic phase of pregnancy.
- Challenges faced by mothers who may be unaware of their pregnancy.
- Impact of maternal habits (e.g., drinking coffee, smoking, alcohol consumption) on fetal development.
- Consequences for physical and cognitive development of the child.

Definitions and implications of low birth weight:
- Low birth weight (LBW): Born weighing less than 5.5 pounds (2,500 grams).
- Very low birth weight (VLBW): Weighing less than 3.3 pounds (1,500 grams).
- Extremely low birth weight (ELBW): Weighing less than 2.2 pounds (1,000 grams).
- Historical cultural practices in Japan aimed at reducing birth weight for easier delivery.
Biological aspects of human birth:
- Humans have one of the largest fetal-to-maternal size ratios.
- Relations between maternal size and offspring size can complicate the birth process.

Definition of preterm birth:
- Full-term pregnancy is considered at 38 weeks.
- Preterm birth: Born at less than 37 weeks of gestation.
- Age of viability typically recognized at about 22-24 weeks.
Implications of preterm birth:
- Increased likelihood of mortality and substantial risk for long-term health issues.
- Definition of small for gestational age: Infants born at full term but with insufficient growth.

Potential adverse effects of low birth weight on physical, social, and emotional health:
- Higher risks of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and lower educational attainment.
- Importance of early pediatric care and monitoring developmental milestones.

Class activities including participation in polls to brainstorm risk factors of low birth weight, reflecting on acquired knowledge and personal insights.

Discussion on primitive reflexes in infants and their implications:
- Importance of assessing reflexes for neurological health:
- Palmer grasp reflex, rooting reflex, sucking reflex, Babinski reflex, etc.
- Reflexes typically diminish over time as the child grows and their nervous system matures.

Considerations of the mother's emotional state and experiences during pregnancy and postpartum:
- Postpartum depression occurring in 10-20% of new mothers, affecting bonding and care.
- Importance of kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact) in fostering attachment between mother and newborn.

Reflection on personal connections to the subject matter, linking academic knowledge with real-world experiences in preparing for potential future roles in healthcare or education.

Introduction to brain functioning in infants and children, covering aspects of cognitive development, including brain growth and neurological connections formed from early experiences.
- Mention of observation and brain function technology (e.g., EEG, MRI) for studying development.

Analysis of infants' sleep patterns and their necessity for brain health and growth:
- Co-sleeping practices and their prevalence across cultures, along with associated health recommendations to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).