Chapter 5 Flashcards
(58 cards)
Growth Patterns
Early Childhood: Body Changes
o Weight and height increases and the relationship between these measurements changes o Average body mass index (BMI) is lower than at any other time of life o Children become slimmer as the lower body lengthens. o Center of gravity moves from the breastbone down to the belly button
Nutrition
Early Childhood: Body Changes
• Obesity is a more frequent problem than malnutrition
• In low-income family cultures, parents tend to guard against undernutrition and rely on fast foods, so their children are especially
vulnerable to obesity
• Overfeeding is causing an epidemic of illnesses associated with obesity,
such as heart disease and diabetes
Nutritional deficiencies (Early Childhood: Body Changes)
• Children who eat more vegetables and fewer fried foods usually gain bone
mass but not fat
• Young children are compulsive about daily routine
– Toddlers need to be fed a variety of healthy foods before the child refuses anything new
Food allergies
Early Childhood: Body Changes
• About 8 percent of all young children have a food allergy, usually to a healthy, common food
• Cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, and shellfish are frequent
culprits
Oral health
Early Childhood: Body Changes
• Teeth are affected by diet and illness. • Tooth decay correlates with obesity – Too much sugar, too little fiber, sweetened beverages • Poor oral health in early childhood is detrimental to permanent tooth development. – Jaw malformation, chewing difficulties, speech problems
Cerebral cortex
Brain Development
Outer layers
Ultimate control and information-processing center
Prefrontal cortex
Brain Development
Outer layers
Performs brain’s “executive functions,” e.g. planning, selecting, and coordinating thoughts
Thalamus
Brain Development
Relays messages between lower brain centers and cerebral cortex
Spinal cord
Brain Development
Pathway for neural fibers traveling to and from brain; controls simple reflexes
Brain complexity
Brain Development
Neuroscientists have named and studied literally hundreds of parts of the brain, all of which are connected to other parts.
Limbic system
Brain Development
Parts of the brain that are crucial in the expression and regulation of EMOTIONS – Amygdala – Hippocampus – Hypothalamus
Amygdala
Brain Development
Tiny brain structure that registers emotions, particularly FEAR and ANXIETY
Neural centers in the limbic system linked to emotion
Hippocampus
Brain Development
Brain structure that is a central processor of MEMORY, especially memory for locations.
A structure in the limbic system linked to memory
Hypothalamus
Brain Development
Brain area that responds to the amygdala and the hippocampus to produce HORMONES that activate other parts of the brain and body
Controls maintenance functions such as eating; helps govern endocrine system; linked to emotion and rewards
Corpus callosum
Connected Hemisphere of the Brain
Axon fibers connecting two cerebral hemispheres
• Is part of the brain that grows and myelinates rapidly during early childhood.
• Consists of a band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right sides of the brain.
• Facilitates communication between the two brain hemispheres.
Lateralization
Connected Hemisphere of the Brain
- Begins with genes.
* Refers to the specialization in certain functions by each side of the brain, with one side dominant for each activity.
From ages 2 to 6, maturation of the prefrontal cortex has several notable benefits, e.g.
(Brain Development)
- Sleep becomes more regular.
- Emotions become more nuanced and responsive.
- Temper tantrums decrease or subside.
- Uncontrollable laughter and tears are less common.
Size at 2yrs vs 6yrs
• By age 2, a child’s brain weighs 75% of what it will in
adulthood.
• The brain reaches 90 percent of adult weight by age 6.
Speed of thought
Brain Development: Speed and Preservation
The primary reason for faster thinking is new and extensive myelination.
• By age 6, most children can see and immediately name an object—precursor of reading ability.
Myelin
Brain Development: Speed and Preservation
a fatty coating on the axons that speeds signals between neurons.
Maturation of the prefrontal cortex
Brain Development: Speed and Preservation
- Gradually enables children to focus attention and curb impulsiveness.
- Before such maturation, many young children jump from task to task; they cannot stay quiet.
Perseveration
Brain Development: Speed and Preservation
In a phenomenon called perseveration, some children persevere in, or stick to, one thought or action, unable to quit.
Left vs right brain
The Whole Brain
- Left-right distinction exaggerated
- No one exclusively left- or right-brained
- Both sides of brain usually involved in every skill
Plasticity and trauma
The Whole Brain
- In early years, the plasticity of the brain allows a lost function in one hemisphere to be replaced in the other half.
- Brain trauma and disease
