EDUC 313 Chapter 3 & 4 (1)

Cheat Sheet: Physical and Cognitive Development in Infants and Toddlers

Chapter Overview

• Covers aspects of both physical and cognitive development in infants and toddlers.

Basic Newborn States

• Newborns exhibit various states that influence their behavior and awareness.

Sensory and Motor Development

• Infants develop sensory and motor skills crucial for exploration and interaction.

Cognition

• Cognitive development theories are critical to understanding infants' intellect.

The Expanding Brain

Cerebral Cortex

• Outer layer of the brain facilitating perception, actions, and thoughts.

• Significant increase in brain volume in the first four years; quadruples in size.

Brain Development

• Neurons: Formed during fetal development; essential for brain function.

• Axons/Dendrites: Axons send information, while dendrites receive it.

• Synaptogenesis: Formation of synapses post-birth.

• Pruning: Occurs around age 3 to optimize neural connections.

• Myelination: Formation of myelin on axons for faster transmissions.

Brain Plasticity

• Ability to adapt and reorganize, especially in early years.

• Important for recovery from injuries but decreases with age.

Cognitive Development: Piaget's Theory

Stages of Development

1. Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years): Learning through interaction.

   • Circular Reactions: Body-centered (1-4 months), outside world (4 months), experimentation (around 1 year).

   • Language development signals end of this stage.

Key Terms

• Schemas: Mental frameworks.

• Adaptation: Adjusting to new experiences.

  • Assimilation: Integrating new info with existing schemas.

  • Accommodation: Changing schemas for new info.

Critique of Piaget's Theory

• Influential but may underestimate abilities in infancy.

Social Cognition in Infants

• Understanding social interactions; begins around 5 months.

Attachment Theories (Bowlby)

1. Preattachment Phase: Reflexive behaviors.

2. Attachment in the Making: Preference for familiar caregivers (4-7 months).

3. Clear-Cut Attachment: Separation anxiety starts (7-8 months).

4. Working Model: Internal representation of attachment figures by age 3.

Key Concepts

• Proximity-Seeking Behavior: Maintaining contact with caregivers.

• Attachment Styles: Secure and insecure categories.

Impact of Attachment

• Secure attachment enhances social competence; insecure attachment can have adverse effects.

Impact of Early Childhood Poverty

• Chronic stress and food insecurity negatively influence development.

• Interventions (e.g., Head Start) aim to improve outcomes but have limitations.

Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages

• Trust vs. Mistrust (infancy)

• Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (toddlerhood)

Temperament-Socialization Fit

• Recognize individual temperament to tailor parenting strategies.

  • Inhibited Toddlers: Greater exposure to social situations needed.

  • Exuberant Toddlers: Need guidance to balance adventurousness and conscience development.

Key Terms for Final Review

• Secure Attachment

• Anxious, Ambivalent, Avoidant, Disorganized Attachment

• Synchrony

• Oxytocin/Cortisol

• Autonomy vs Shame & Doubt