2. Development in Infancy Flashcards
when does infancy begin and end?
begins at birth and ends around second birthday
how is infancy compared to other parts of the life span?
more rapid growth and more discontinuity
what is the predictability of the developmental changes in infancy?
most predictable stage in the life span both in timing and in nature
what senses has a new born developed?
tough, smell, taste and hearring
what sense is the newborn yet to develop?
vision
describe the sense of touch in a newborn.
Reflexes are present prenatally and responsive to touch, so the newborn’s acute tough and pain sensitive are no surprise
describe the sense of smell in a newborn
Newborn’s olfactory (smell) sensitivity is highly acute. They can distinguish the smell of their own mother’s milk from that of other nursing mothers (MadFarlane, 1975)
describe the sense of taste in a newborn
Foetuses have a keen sense of taste and swallow more amniotic fluid if it is sweetened: after birth a preference for sweet flavours remains
describe the sense of hearing in a newborn
Foetuses have acute hearing. At birth there is a temporary decline owing to the fluid in the inner ear, but this usually clears in a few days. One-month-olds can distinguish fine sound contrasts such as ‘bah’ versus ‘pah’ (Eimas et al, 1971)
describe the sense of vision in a newborn
the newborn’s visual organs and muscles are immature, precluding gaze control and focus. Visual acuity reaches the adult (20/20) level at age 6 months
what are the survival reflexes in an infant?
breathing reflex, Rooting reflex, sucking reflex, swallowing reflex
describe the breathing reflex
repetitive inhalation and expiration
describe the development of the breathing reflex
permanent, although becomes partly voluntary
describe the significance of the breathing reflex
provides oxygen and expels carbon dioxide
describe the rooting reflex
turning of cheek in direction of touch
describe the development of the rooting reflex
weaken and disappears by 6 months
describe the significance of the rooting reflex
orients child to breast or bottle
describe the sucking reflex
strong sucking motions with throat, mouth and tongue
describe the development of the sucking reflex
gradually comes under voluntary control
describe the significance of the sucking reflex
allows child to drink
describe the swallowing reflex
swallowing motions in throat
describe the development of the swallowing reflex
permanent, although becomes partly voluntary
describe the significance of the swallowing reflex
allows child to take in food and avoid choking
what are the primitive reflexes in infants?
moro reflex, graspin reflex, stepping reflex