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