Physical Development
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Title:
Early and Physical Development
Dr. Latifa Alketbi
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Overview:
Prenatal Development
Neonatal Behaviors and Learning
The Body and Physical Growth
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Prenatal Development:
Phases:
Germinal Phase (0–2 weeks):
Begins with fertilization which forms a zygote.
The zygote divides rapidly into a blastocyst, which implants in the uterine wall.
Embryonic Phase (3–8 weeks):
The blastocyst develops into an embryo; cells differentiate into three layers forming major organs.
Foetal Phase (9–38 weeks):
The fetus grows rapidly, organs mature. At around 24 weeks, fetus can potentially survive outside the womb, continuing development until 38 weeks.
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Threats to Development:
Sensitivity to Teratogens:
The fetus is sensitive to harmful external substances (teratogens).
Most critical during ‘sensitive periods’ (first 3–4 months).
Development occurs predictably but can be disrupted.
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Teratogens:
Definition:
Substances, organisms, or agents causing malformations or functional abnormalities.
Categories of Teratogens:
Maternal characteristics
Maternal diseases
Environmental factors
Drugs
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Maternal Diseases:
Diseases that impact the fetus include:
Rubella
Herpes
HIV infection
Drugs:
Alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and certain prescribed drugs can be harmful.
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Environmental Influences:
Chemical Exposures:
Chemicals in solvents, paints, pesticides, and metals like lead can harm the developing fetus.
Radiation:
Certain types can have delayed effects seen in childhood.
Maternal Factors:
Emotional state, stress, physical condition, and maternal age impact health outcomes.
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Birth:
Stages of Labor:
First Stage:
Contractions, dilation of the cervix to 10cm.
Second Stage:
Pushing until the baby is born.
Third Stage:
Delivery of the placenta.
Labor duration varies widely; first-time mothers may experience longer.
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Newborn Size & Appearance:
Average Measurements:
Birth weight: 3.4 kg
Length: 40-50 cm
Characteristics:
Larger head proportionally.
Boys tend to be longer and heavier.
Temporary weight loss of up to 10% in the first days, regained by day 14.
Covered in vernix caseosa (white, creamy substance) which disappears shortly after birth.
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Newborn Senses:
Sensory Abilities:
Sensitive to pain; prefer sweet tastes.
Developed hearing; tolerates white noise from utero.
Vision is less developed; newborn can turn to sounds and respond to voices.
Newborns may sleep up to 18 hours a day.
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Survival Reflexes:
Adaptive Reflexes:
Essential for survival, allowing the infant to respond to immediate needs:
Sucking/Swallowing Reflex:
Ensures effective feeding.
Rooting Reflex:
Turning head and opening mouth when cheek touched to locate feeding source.
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Primitive Reflexes:
Characteristics:
Automatic responses not requiring conscious thought:
Grasp Reflex:
Closes fingers around an object placed in palm.
Stepping/Walking Reflex:
Mimics walking when upright with feet on a surface.
Moro Reflex:
Startle response to loud noises or movements.
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Brain Growth in the First Three Years:
Neurons at Birth:
Approximately 100 billion neurons present.
Developmental Milestones:
By age 2, brain reaches 80% of adult size.
By age 3, connections between neurons total around 1,000 trillion.
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1 to 3 Years Old: Children’s Physical Development
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Gross and Fine Motor Skills:
Gross Motor Skills:
Whole body movements; involve large muscles.
Examples: walking, running, jumping.
Fine Motor Skills:
Coordination of small muscles with eyes; crucial for detailed tasks.
Examples: using pencils, scissors, manipulating small objects.
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Ability to Move from Birth to 1 Year:
Developmental milestones:
Fetal posture
Holds chin up
Holds chest up
Sits when supported
Sits alone (1 month: newborn, 2 months, 4 months, 7 months)
Stands holding furniture
Crawls
Walks if led
Stands alone (11 months)
Walks alone (12 months)
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Table 7.3: Milestones in Motor Development:
Age: Birth to 3 Months
Holds head up voluntarily, holds chest up with arm support, rolls from side to side, displays primitive reflexes.
Age: 3 to 6 Months
Rolls from front to back, sits with support, reaches for objects, explores objects via touch.
Age: 6 Months to 1 Year
Sits unsupported, crawls, stands with support, walks with support, transfers objects hand to hand.
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Table 7.3 Continued: Milestones in Motor Development:
Age: 1-2 Years
Walks independently, walks backward, pushes and pulls objects, moves to music.
Age: 2-4 Years
Climbs stairs, runs confidently, balances on one foot, rides a tricycle.
Age: 5 Years
Proficient in jumping, walks up and down stairs alternately, performs forward rolls, uses scissors.
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Prehension (Grasping Ability):
Emerges around 9 to 12 months, crucial for fine motor development.
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Stages of Pencil Grasp Development:
Encourage activities to strengthen hand muscles and coordination (clay, threading beads, drawing) for writing foundation.
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Fine Motor Skills at One Year:
Developments include:
Pincer grasp, banging objects together, putting/taking objects from containers, voluntary release of objects, poking, imitating scribbles.
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Fine Motor Skills at Two Years:
Activities include:
Scribbling, pouring contents from containers, building towers of four blocks or more, potential hand preference.
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Dentition:
Teeth formation before birth; first teeth emerge 5-9 months.
By 24 months, around 20 teeth present.
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3 to 6/7 Years: Children’s Physical Development
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Growth Rates:
Overall Rate:
Slower growth: 2-3 inches and 5.5 pounds per year.
Changes in body proportions to longer legs and flatter stomachs.
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Gross Motor Skills at Three Years:
Skills include:
Climbs well, walks up/down stairs, kicks ball, runs easily, pedals tricycle.
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Gross Motor Skills at Four Years:
Skills include:
Hops and stands on one foot up to five seconds, agility in movement, kicks and throws well.
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Gross Motor Skills at Five Years:
Skills include:
Stands on one foot for 10+ seconds, performs somersaults, swings, begins to skip.
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Gross Motor Skills at Six Years:
Skills include:
High energy, improved coordination, success in bat and ball games.
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Discussion:
Inquiry on whether children can be trained to speed up motor development during early years.
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Fine Motor Skills Activities:
Activities include:
Drawing, writing, cutting, stringing beads, tying shoes, using zippers and buttons.
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Fine Motor Skills at Three Years:
Skills include:
Circular lines with pencil, turning book pages, building tall towers, holding pencil correctly, managing jar lids and rotating handles.
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Fine Motor Skills at Four Years:
Skills include:
Copies square shapes, draws a person with body parts, uses scissors, copies capital letters.
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Fine Motor Skills at Five Years:
Skills include:
Copies shapes, draws body figures, prints letters, independently dresses, uses utensils for feeding, responsible for toilet needs.
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Fine Motor Skills at Six Years:
Skills include:
Excellent pencil control, advanced drawing abilities.
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Dentition at Six Years:
Beginning to lose first teeth as permanent teeth grow.
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Brain Growth:
By age 5/6, brain reaches 90% of adult size; growth continues in the cerebral cortex until about age 10.
Synaptic pruning begins after age 10, improving efficiency but may lead to poorer judgment in teenage years.
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6/7 to 12 Years: Children’s Perceptual and Motor Development
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Physical Growth:
Average Measurements:
Age 7: 49 inches (1.24m), 55 pounds (25kg).
Age 11: 58 inches (1.47m), 80 pounds (36kg).
Gender Differences:
No differences at age 9; by 11, girls taller/heavier; boys catch up by age 14.
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Development of Motor Skills:
Physical Play:
Importance of play fighting for social and physical skills, promotes confidence and boundaries, encourages self-assessment of abilities.
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References:
Doherty, J. & Hughes, M. (2014). Child Development: Theory and Reference Practice 0-11, (2nd Ed.). Pearson: London.