Birth & the Newborn
What are the three stages of childbirth, in order?
Dilation and effacement of the cervix, delivery of the baby, delivery of the placenta
Why is adequate nutrition especially important during the first two years of life?
Rapid physical and brain growth creates high nutritional demands; deficiencies can interfere with healthy development
What are mental representations?
Internal mental images and concepts that allow children to think about objects, people, or events that are not physically present
DOUBLE JEOPARDY: What is the term for the emotional bond that develops between an infant and a familiar caregiver?
Attachment
What are epiphyses, and what role do they play in childhood development?
Epiphyses are growth centers where cartilage hardens into bone; contributes to skeletal development
DOUBLE JEOPARDY: What is the difference between analgesics and anesthetics during childbirth?
Analgesics relieve pain & anesthetics block sensation
How does an infant's sleep pattern typically change over the first two years of life?
Infants gradually sleep for longer periods at night, wake less frequently, and spend less time sleeping during the day
What is the difference between an overextension and an underextension in early language development?
Overextension: Using a word too broadly Underextension: Using a word too narrowly
What is the difference between emotional reactivity and emotional self-regulation?
Reactivity: How quickly and intensely someone responds emotionally
Self-regulation: The ability to manage or modify those responses
How does sleep contribute to children's development during early childhood?
Adequate sleep supports physical growth and cognitive performance (e.g., attention & learning)
What is the difference between an induced labor and an assisted delivery?
Induced labor involves medically stimulating contractions to start childbirth; Assisted delivery involves using instruments (e.g., forceps or a vacuum extractor) to help deliver the baby
What is the difference between the ulnar grasp and the pincer grasp?
The ulnar grasp involves using the fingers against the palm to hold an object; Pincer grasp involves using the thumb and index finger to pick up small objects
DOUBLE JEOPARDY: Why have researchers challenged Piaget's conclusions about when infants develop certain cognitive abilities?
Research suggests that some cognitive abilities emerge earlier than Piaget proposed. His sensorimotor stages may underestimate infants' abilities and portray cognitive development as more stage-like than it actually is
Why might toddlers begin showing embarrassment or pride after recognizing themselves in a mirror?
Developing self-awareness allows them to evaluate themselves in relation to others' expectations
Why are young children vulnerable to unintentional injuries?
More independence + curiosity and they aren't always able to recognize dangers, anticipate consequences, and follow safety rules consistently
Why might a woman with a high-risk pregnancy be advised to give birth in a hospital rather than at home?
Hospitals have immediate access to emergency medical care if complications arise
What is perceptual narrowing, and how does it affect an infant's ability to recognize faces?
The process where infants become better at distinguishing familiar types of faces but less able to distinguish unfamiliar types of faces as they gain experience
Why might two toddlers of the same age have different vocabulary sizes, even if both are developing typically?
Differences in language exposure, caregiver interactions, and opportunities for conversation can influence vocabulary development
A caregiver adjusts their expectations to match a child's temperament. What concept does this demonstrate?
Goodness of fit: How well a child's temperament matches the demands of their environment.
Example: Allowing an active toddler frequent movement breaks rather than expecting them to sit still for long periods
DOUBLE JEOPARDY: How can poor nutrition and infectious disease create a cycle that interferes with children's physical development?
Poor nutrition weakens the immune system which increases susceptibility to illness. Frequent illness can further contribute to malnutrition, etc.