Developmental Psychology - Physical, Perceptual, and Motor Development - CH3

Summary

This lecture covers the development and abilities of newborns, highlighting key reflexes essential for survival and learning, such as rooting and suckling. It explains the Apgar scoring system and other assessment tools like the NBAS to evaluate newborn health and behavior. The lecture also discusses the different states and cries of newborns, their sleep patterns, and the growth of their physical and neurological abilities. Additionally, it touches on the concepts of temperament, self-awareness, and the development of perception and motor skills.

Takeaways

• 👶 Newborns are born with reflexes that fall into two categories: survival value (e.g., rooting, suckling, eye blinking) and those needed for learning new skills (e.g., lifting legs).
• 🏥 Reflexes are critical indicators of a child's health, showing the nervous system's functionality, and are measured using assessment tools like the APGAR scoring system.
• 🍼 Newborns have different states of alertness, including alert and active, waking active, crying, and sleeping. Each state reflects their level of engagement and responsiveness to the environment.
• 😢 Newborns have three basic types of cries: basic cry (hunger), mad cry (intense and loud), and pain cry (starts loud and followed by gasping).
• 😴 Newborns sleep 16-18 hours a day but in 3-hour cycles, often waking up every few hours for feeding. By 6 months, they typically sleep through the night.
• 🌜 Newborns spend 50% of their sleep time in REM sleep, which is linked to vivid dreams and is believed to be a way for them to process new sensory experiences.
• 🧠 Temperament in newborns, described by Rothbart, includes dimensions like extraversion, negative affect, and effortful control. Temperament can be influenced by heredity and environment.
• 📈 Growth in newborns is rapid, and they typically triple their weight by their first birthday. Growth charts help track their development against expected milestones.
• 🍽️ Breastfeeding is recommended for optimal growth and development, but bottle feeding can also provide nutritional benefits. Introducing a variety of foods early helps shape future eating habits.
• 👀 Newborns have 75% of their adult eye size at birth and their vision develops rapidly. They can recognize faces and depth perception starts developing around 7 months.

Q & A

What are the two categories of reflexes that newborns have?

Newborns have reflexes that fall into two categories: those necessary for survival, such as rooting, suckling, and eye blinking, and those that help them learn to do other things, such as the reflex of lifting their legs when their feet touch a surface.

Why are reflexes important in the healthcare industry?

Reflexes are important in the healthcare industry because they indicate the health of the newborn's nervous system. Strong reflexes suggest a well-functioning nervous system, and assessing these reflexes helps healthcare providers evaluate the newborn's overall health.

What is the Apgar scoring system, and what does it measure?

The Apgar scoring system, created by Virginia Apgar, measures five criteria in newborns: heart rate, respiration, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin tone. Each criterion is rated on a scale of 0 to 2, with a total score of 7 or higher indicating a newborn in excellent condition.

What are the four different states that newborns can be in?

Newborns can be in one of four states: alert and active, waking active, crying, and sleeping. Each state represents different levels of activity and responsiveness.

What are the three basic types of cries in infants, and how do they differ?

The three basic types of cries in infants are the basic cry, the mad cry, and the pain cry. The basic cry is soft and gradually builds in volume, indicating hunger. The mad cry is more intense and loud, often accompanied by a wrinkled forehead, indicating anger. The pain cry starts loud and is followed by gasping, indicating discomfort or pain.

How much do newborns sleep, and how does their sleep pattern change over time?

Newborns sleep 16 to 18 hours a day but usually only in 3-hour intervals. By 3 to 4 months, they may sleep in 5 to 6-hour cycles, and by 6 months, many can sleep through most of the night.

What is temperament, and how is it different from temper?

Temperament refers to the inherent traits and personality dimensions present from birth, such as being happy, active, or shy. Temper, on the other hand, specifically relates to anger and emotional outbursts.

How do genetics and environment influence a child's temperament?

Genetics, particularly in identical twins, play a significant role in influencing a child's temperament, especially the negative effect dimension (anger, fear, frustration). However, environmental factors and parental influence also shape temperament over time.

What are the key developmental milestones in newborn growth and maturation?

Key milestones include rapid growth, such as tripling birth weight by one year, and achieving specific physical abilities like sitting up by 7 months and walking independently by 15 months. Fine motor skills, such as holding a rattle or using utensils, develop over time as well.

How does brain development occur in newborns and infants?

Brain development in newborns involves the formation and specialization of neurons and synapses. Early brain functions focus on basic sensory and motor skills, while higher-order thinking and language development occur as the child grows and experiences new stimuli.