University of St. Thomas EDUC 5355 Chapter 5—Physical and Motor Development of the Infant Dr. Ann Weiss Adjunct Professor University of St. Thomas EDUC 5355 The Young Child

University of St. Thomas EDUC 5355 Physical and Motor Development—The Main Points Negative Prenatal environmental influences Assessment of newborns Apgar score Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale Formulating a Framework for Understanding Child Growth, Development, and Learning Earliest Brain Growth and Neurological Development Developmental Milestones in Motor Control during the First Year Infants with Special Needs/Negative prenatal Environmental Factors

University of St. Thomas EDUC 5355 Negative Prenatal Influences Environmental InfluenceResults for Child Poor NutritionStillbirth, neonatal death, low birth weight, short gestation Mental deficiency, rickets, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, speech defects, general physical weakness Maternal Characteristics Emotional state Physical size Age Rh incompatibility Low blood oxygen level Crankiness Difficult delivery Retardation Stillbirth Nervous system damage

University of St. Thomas EDUC 5355 Negative Prenatal Influences (con’t) Environmental Influence Results for Child Maternal Experience and Personal Habits X-ray Smoking Alcohol Caffeine Tissue Damage; retardation Low birth weight; death Slow growth; retardation Miscarriage Drugs and Disease Drugs Disease Limb malformation; addiction; delivery complications Generally retarded growth, possible neurological damage

University of St. Thomas EDUC 5355 The Apgar Scale Apgar Score Sign012 Pulse (heart rate) AbsentSlow (< 100)Rapid (> 100) Appearance (skin color Body is blue Body pink, arms and legs blue Entirely Pink ActivityFlaccid, limp, motionless Some movement of arms and legs but weak and inactive Strong, active, overall body motions Reflexes (feet slapped) No response Grimace or light cryVigorous crying RespirationAbsentSlow, irregular breathingEffort to breathe is strong; vigorous crying

University of St. Thomas EDUC 5355 Brain Development Neuron: a nerve cell responsible for transmitting information in the brain Synapse: the point of contact between nerve fibers Glial cell: a supporting and connecting cell in the nervous system

University of St. Thomas EDUC 5355 Brain Fast Facts 1. Some memories actually physically exist in the brain. 2. Neurons for vision have matured by age Optimum time for music instruction is between the ages of 3 and Emotions boost memory. 5. Small muscle exercise stimulates brain growth. 6. The size of a toddler’s vocabulary is directly correlated to how much a caretaker talks to the child. 7. Infants form native language maps in the brain during the first year of life. 8. Touching babies increases digestive juices and reduces stress. 9. Water enhances brain function 10. Cross lateral movement energizes thinking

University of St. Thomas EDUC 5355 Brain Research Key Findings Brain development is contingent on a complex interplay between genes and environment. Early experiences contribute to brain structure and capacities. Early interactions affect brain “wiring.” Brain development is non-linear. A child’s brain is 2½ times as active as an adult’s.

University of St. Thomas EDUC 5355 Chapter 5—Physical and Motor Development of the Infant Dr. Ann Weiss Adjunct Professor University of St. Thomas EDUC 5355 The Young Child