The Developing Brain & The Developing Brain & Nervous SystemNervous System
The NeuronThe NeuronBasic component of the Nervous Basic component of the Nervous SystemSystem
NumberNumberBetween 100 & 200 Billion at birthBetween 100 & 200 Billion at birth
Growth rate: 250,000 per minuteGrowth rate: 250,000 per minute
Synaptic pruningSynaptic pruning
MyelinMyelinFatty tissue covering the axonFatty tissue covering the axon
Associated with critical periodsAssociated with critical periods
Brain Brain DevelopmentDevelopment
PlasticityPlasticityThe Degree that the brain is modified by experience
Sensitive PeriodSensitive PeriodA time in development when the organism is susceptible to environmental influences in relating to some particular facet of development
Influence on the Influence on the EnvironmentEnvironmentGreater stimulation produces greater growth
Rhythms of Rhythms of LivingLiving
Sleep & Sleep & WakefulnessWakefulnessSleeps 16 – 18 hours Sleeps 16 – 18 hours per dayper day
Sleep is in fits & startsSleep is in fits & starts
REM SleepREM SleepBrain waves are Brain waves are different than adultsdifferent than adults
REM sleep in infants is REM sleep in infants is not associated with not associated with dreamingdreaming
Motor DevelopmentMotor DevelopmentReflexesReflexesOccur automatically Occur automatically with a stimuluswith a stimulus
Rooting, sucking, Rooting, sucking, stepping, Moro, stepping, Moro, Babinski, startle, eye-Babinski, startle, eye-blink, gag, swimmingblink, gag, swimming
Motor SkillsMotor SkillsGross Motor SkillsGross Motor SkillsInvolves large muscle groupsInvolves large muscle groups
Fine Motor SkillsFine Motor SkillsInvolves smaller muscle groupsInvolves smaller muscle groups
Dynamic Systems Dynamic Systems TheoryTheoryMotor behaviors are Motor behaviors are “assembled” into “assembled” into coordinated groups coordinated groups of muscles, of muscles, perceptions, perceptions, nervous systems nervous systems activations, and activations, and motivation all motivation all carried out at the carried out at the same timesame time
Nutrition & Motor Nutrition & Motor DevelopmentDevelopment
MalnutritionMalnutritionHaving an improper amount & Having an improper amount & balance of nutrientsbalance of nutrients
Has negative resultsHas negative results
Slower growth rateSlower growth rate
Lower IQLower IQ
KwashiorkorKwashiorkor
ObesityObesityWeight greater than 20% above the Weight greater than 20% above the average for a given heightaverage for a given height
FeedingFeedingBreastfeedingBreastfeedingHas advantagesHas advantages
Appropriate nutritionAppropriate nutrition
ImmunityImmunity
Easily digestedEasily digested
Can help cognitive growthCan help cognitive growth
WeaningWeaningCultural variationsCultural variations
Some wean as early as 3 - 4 Some wean as early as 3 - 4 months, others 3 – 4 yearsmonths, others 3 – 4 years
Recommended to breastfeed Recommended to breastfeed for the 1for the 1stst year year
Development of the Development of the SensesSenses
Visual PerceptionVisual PerceptionNeonate can see only about 1 Neonate can see only about 1 footfoot
Minutes after birth shows Minutes after birth shows preferences for certain stimulipreferences for certain stimuli
Within a few hours prefers Within a few hours prefers mother’s facemother’s face
Auditory PerceptionAuditory PerceptionAble to hear prior to birthAble to hear prior to birth
Prefers mother’s voicePrefers mother’s voice
Smell & TasteSmell & TasteStrong sense of smell & tasteStrong sense of smell & taste
Pain & TouchPain & TouchPainful stimuli produce physical & Painful stimuli produce physical & emotional responsesemotional responses
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