Infants and toddlers

Question 1

Describe major changes in body growth over the first two years.

Answer 1

Growth is head to toe, close to far.
Newborn: ~10 in long, 7.5 lbs
end of yr 1: 50% greater than birth length, 3x birth weight
end of yr 2: 75% greater than birth length, 4x birth weight

Question 2

Describe dynamic systems theory of motor development, along with factors that influence motor progress in the first two years.

Answer 2

learning new skills is a complex, each skill is a joint product of:
CNS development
body’s movement capacities
goals child has in mind
environmental supports for the skill

Question 3

Describe major cognitive attainments of the sensorimotor stage

Answer 3

solve sensorimotor problems
- birth- 1 mo: newborn reflexes
- Primary circular rxns (1-4 mo): simple motor habits centered around own body
- secondary circular rxns (4-8 mo): repetition of interesting effects, imitation of familiar behaviors, adapting first schemas
- coordination of secondary circular rxns (8-12 mo): intentional, goal directed behavior, beginning to grasp object permanence
- tertiary circular rxns (12-18 mo): exploration of object properties thru new actions
- mental representation (18 mo-2 yr): internal depictions of objects and events, advanced object permanence (invisible displacement), deferred imitation, make believe play

Question 4

Describe the development of basic emotions over the first year, noting the adaptive function of each

Answer 4

early emotions: attraction to pleasant stimuli, withdraw from unpleasant stimuli
Happiness: !!smile becomes social 6-10 wks, laughter around 3-4 mo!!,
Distress: generally from birth, anger 4-6 mo, sadness from disrupted caregiver-infant communication
Fear: 6 mo to keep exploration in check

Question 5

Summarize changes during the first two years in understanding others’ emotions, expression of self-conscious emotions, and emotional self-regulation.

Answer 5

first few mo: matching a caregiver’s tone
3 mo: sensitvity to face to face interactions
5 mo: respond to emotional expressions as an organized whole
8-10 mo: social referencing
mid 2nd yr: self conscious emotions emerge – require self awareness and adult instruction to feel emotion
end of yr 2: vocabulary develops to talk about emotions, but unable to manage them – tantrums

Question 6

What is temperament, and how is it measured?

Answer 6

temperament is how sensitive/reactive/self regulation someone is.
40% easy
10% difficult
15% slow to warm up
reactivity: activity lvl, attention span, fearful/irritable distress, positive affect
can be measured thru parent reports, observation, behavioral ratings
successful child rearing is responsive to the child’s temperament

Question 7

Describe the development of attachment during the first two years.

Answer 7

develops thru parents responsiveness to child’s needs and closeness
influenced by: family’s characteristics, parent’s internal view of their kids attachment, infant characteristics
secure attachment – parent leaves the room and kid is fine and excited to see them when they come back
insecure attachment – sad when they leave, angry when they come back
avoidant – doesn’t care
disorganized – has a flat affect

Question 8

What is the best sign of physical maturity?

Answer 8

Skeletal age

Question 9

Influence of breastfeeding on early physical growth

Answer 9

good – should be done exclusively (if possible) for first 2 yrs
ensures completeness (fat-protein, nutrient balance)
supports jaw and tooth development
protects against disease
smoother transition to solid foods
reduces obesity risk