1. Effects of Early Stimulation and Deprivation
Chapter 5
Copyright © 2016
by Holcomb Hathaway Publishers

2. Reflecting on Stimulation vs. Deprivation
What are your thoughts on this statement from the text:
“The general belief … is that stimulation is always ‘good’ and deprivation is ‘bad.’ … However, can we overstimulate our children? … Is some degree of deprivation ever in the child’s best interest?”
What are your overall thoughts on early educational stimulation?
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by Holcomb Hathaway Publishers

3. Effects of Early Stimulation
1983: “Bringing Up Superbaby” (Newsweek)
2012: Fit Baby, Smart Baby, Your Baby!
However:
May not be a worthwhile use of time
May hamper emotional, physical, or creative aspects of a child’s development
Copyright © 2016
by Holcomb Hathaway Publishers

4. Programs Designed to Enhance Early Motor Development
Whole-child early stimulation programs
Gymboree
Swim programs
Suzuki method of learning the violin
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by Holcomb Hathaway Publishers

5. Swim Programs for Infants and Preschoolers
Lack of evidence on whether programs do make children safer around water or facilitate later swimming success.
Recommendations from American Academy of Pediatrics
Health issues:
Hyponatremia
Giardia
Asthma and bronchitis
Hypothermia
Copyright © 2016
by Holcomb Hathaway Publishers

6. Reflecting on Programs to Enhance Motor Development
What do you think of these programs, generally?
Would you consider playing music to your unborn baby?
Would you want to involve your children in a Gymboree program or enroll them in an infant aquatics program? Why or why not? What would you advise other parents?
Copyright © 2016
by Holcomb Hathaway Publishers

7. by Holcomb Hathaway Publishers
Johnny and Jimmy—Case Study on the Effects of Early Stimulation (1930s)
Twin brothers who were observed for the first 22 months of their lives:
Johnny—Toys, stimulation, practice, experiences in movement activities
Jimmy—Few toys and minimal motor stimulation
Important factors in early movement development: Level of fixity, readiness, practice, attitude, and physical growth
Copyright © 2016
by Holcomb Hathaway Publishers

8. Effects of Early Deprivation
Information is sparse.
Research on institutionalized children shows physical, intellectual, and emotional deficits as well as developmental delays.
Deprivation dwarfism
Hopi cradleboards
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by Holcomb Hathaway Publishers

9. by Holcomb Hathaway Publishers
Deprivation Dwarfism
Psychosocial dwarfism or psychosocial short stature
Reduced or failed growth during infancy, childhood, or adolescence
Involves reduced nutrition and a malfunction of the endocrine system
Stems from extended hospital or institutional care, emotional deprivation, adverse treatment, neglectful caregivers, etc.
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by Holcomb Hathaway Publishers

10. Case Studies on the Effects of Deprivation
Anna—extreme isolation
Victor—raised in the wild
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by Holcomb Hathaway Publishers

11. Key Concepts in Stimulation and Deprivation Theories
Critical period:
A time of particular or maximum sensitivity to environmental stimuli; “developmental window”
Readiness:
The establishment of the minimum characteristics necessary for a particular human behavior to be acquired
Catch-up:
The human power “to stabilize and return” to a predetermined behavior or growth pattern “after being pushed off trajectory” (Tanner, 1978, p. 154)
Copyright © 2016
by Holcomb Hathaway Publishers

12. Essential Elements of the Idea of Critical Periods
Organism must have achieved a state of readiness.
There is a specific time limit.
The effects of the stimulation during the critical period create a permanent and durable imprint.
Critical periods may exist for many aspects of human behavior.
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by Holcomb Hathaway Publishers

13. by Holcomb Hathaway Publishers
Hypothetical Example of Catch-Up Growth Following Severe Nutritional Deprivation
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by Holcomb Hathaway Publishers

14. Video—Research on Johnny and Jimmy
Myrtle McGraw developed this film primarily for a presentation to the Congress of Sports Medicine in Moscow in May It shows Johnny and Jimmy’s developmental progress across many motor tasks. The final excerpt shows Johnny and Jimmy’s movement in several tasks at the age of 22.
Copyright © 2016
by Holcomb Hathaway Publishers