Chapter 5 Flashcards
(19 cards)
How to interpret percentiles
If a baby’s weight is in the 30th percentile then 30 percent of baby’s that age weigh less than that. 70% weigh more
What is occurring for the brain of an infant to triple in size by the 2nd birthday
Growth of dendrites
What does the growth and pruning process of the neural connections entail
Each dendrite growth is transient exuberance because it is so rapid
It is then followed by pruning: when applied to brain development the process by which unused connections of the brain atrophy and die
What are sleep patterns like for an average newborn
15-17 hours a day in 1-3 hour segments
Decreases with maturity
Changes culturally
Full term sleep more than pre term
What sense is least developed at birth
Vision because the fetus has nothing to see in the womb
What sense is already acute at birth
Hearing
How far in the distance can babies focus
4-30 inches
What is binocular vision and when does it appear
3 months
Focus on an object with both eyes
2 overlapping fields of view allowing good depth perception
What are gross motor skills
Large movements, walking jumping, physical
What age range do babies begin to crawl and walk
Walk- 1 year
6-10 months- crawl
What is the definition of fine motor skills and what are some examples
Small movements involving hands and fingers
Drawing
Picking up a coin
What are experience expectant and experience dependent brain functions
Expectant- require certain basic common experiences(which an infant can be expected to have) in order to develop normally
Dependent: depend on particular variable experiences and that therefore may not develop ( not essential)
Why is breastfeeding beneficial for babies
Colostrum: fluid secreted from breast
Rich in essential nutrients for brain and body
Brest milk provides antibodies so babies get sick less
Lower rates of diabetes and heart disease and obesity
More digestible, better for the brain
Body size
Birthweight Doubles by month 4 and triples by year 1
Avg birthweight: 7 pounds
Length: 20 inches
Small babies have extra gain
Does brain growth depend on genes or experience
Mostly experience, genes are the outline
Ways to harm the infant brain
Lack of stimulation: playing moment etc
Stress
Intervention: shaken baby syndrome
Social deprivation
3 interacting elements underlying motor skills
Muscle strength
Brain maturation
Practice
Skills are developed in the same sequence, age of acquisition varies
Immunization
Resists to diseases
Contributing to reduced death and higher population growth
Successes: polio smallpox measles rotavirus
Failure to thrive
Baby is not gaining Normal amount of weight
