Human Development 5: Physical And Cognitive Development In Early Childhood

Avg Child grows ____ inches in height

Gains ____ pounds

3-6 years the most rapid growth takes place in _____, ________

Process where axons are covered and insulated with layer of fat cells.

Increases speed in which info travels through nervous system

Children begin to represent the world with words/images, drawings and symbolic thought goes beyond simple connections of sensory info and physical action.

Stable concepts formed, mental reasoning emerges, egocentrism present, magical beliefs constructed.

Piagets theory, these are internalized, reversable sets of actions that allow children to do mentally what they formally did physically

First substage of preoperational thought. Child gains the ability to mentally represent an object that is not present

Inability to distinguish between ones own perspective and someone elses.

Belief that inanimate objects have life like qualities and are capable of action

2nd stage of preoperational thought, in which children begin to use primitive reasoning and want to know the answers to all sorts of questions.

"Why"

Limitations: centration, conservation

Focusing attention on one characteristic to the exclusion of all others

Awareness that altering an objects/substance appearance does not change its basic properties

Vygotskys theory

An approach that emphasizes the social contexts of learning and knowledge is mutually built and constructed. Reflects approach

Vgotskys term for tasks that are too hard for children to master alone but can be mastered with assistance

Study childrens egocentrism. Had them look at 3 mountains from many different angles then sit at one place. Place figure in mountains. Asked what the doll can see from a set of photos. Usually choose what they can see themselves not the doll.

Usage of language to plan, guide and monitor their behavior. Self regulating.

Involves planning actions, allocating attention to goals, detecting and compensating for errors, monitoring progress on tasks and dealing with novel/difficult circumstances

Involves focused and extended engagement with an object, task, event or other aspect of environment

Involves managing ones thoughts to engage in goal directed behavior and self control

Umbrella-like concept. Higher cognitive processed linked to the development of brains prefrontal cortex

In childhood, involved cognitive inhibition. Cognitive flexibility, goal-setting, delay of gratification.

Awareness of ones own mental processes and of others.

Perceptions- what other people see is not necessarily what child sees

Emotions- can distinguish between positive/negative

Desires- understands that if someone wants something, theyll try to get it. "I want my mommy"

Mind can represent objects and events accurately or inaccurately. False beliefs.

Deepening appreciation of the mind itself rather than just the understanding of mental states

Education that involves the whole child by considering both the childs physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development + the childs needs, interest and learning styles.

Educational philosophy where children are given considerable freedom + spontaneity in choosing activities and are allowed to move from one activity to another as desire.

Education that focuses on typical developmental patterns of children (age appropriateness) and uniqueness of each child (individual appropriateness)

Government funded program that is designed to provide poor children the opportunity to aquire the skills and experiences important for school success.

Girls slightly taller and lighter than boys. Girls have more fatty tissue. Boys have more muscle.

These are Contextual factors that are linked to brain development. Poor quality is linked to significant maturational lags in frontal + temporal lobes (4)

Motor skill development at age 3, 4 and 5

Fine motor skills ages 3, 4 and 5

Recommended hours of excersize for children

Leading causes of death/illness

Attribute things in the natural world to people.

"Why is the sky blue"

"Because someone painted it that way"

If A caused B today, then A always causes B

"If that guy makes me sad today, then tomorrow he'll make me sad"

Learn everything first this way.

Learn through interactions with others and environment. Private speech, reading outloud, interactive. Focusing.

Internalize the psychological knowledge later

Memory span task

How many digits are increased from 2-13?

-changes with age because of rehearsal. (Older children rehearse digits more than younger)

-speed/myelenation important. Linked to childrens processing speed

Memories of significant event in persons life.

In preschool years, this takes on more autobiographical characteristics.

Increasingly remember time and place, more elements of rich detail in stories.

Inhibiting a strong tendency that is incorrect

Shifting attention to another item/topic

Sharing a toy or mastering a skill like catching a ball

Benefits of advancement in executive function are... (1)