Child Development: Hearing and Sensory Skills

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary effect of myelination on the motor pathways in neonates?

It prevents any further development of motor functions.

It leads to a complete cessation of reflexive movements.

It allows for the disorganized movements to come under increasing control. (correct)

It enhances their ability to engage in abstract thinking.

At what stage of development does myelination of the motor area of the cerebral cortex begin?

At birth.

At the 4th month of prenatal development. (correct)

After the age of 2 years.

During the first year of life.

When does the second growth spurt of brain development occur?

Between the 4th and 5th months of prenatal development.

After the age of 2 years.

During the first year of life.

Between the 25th week of prenatal development and the end of the 2nd year. (correct)

What factor significantly contributes to the growth of the cortex in infants?

Sensory stimulation and physical activity. Signup and view all the answers

Which reflex is NOT included in the common reflexes demonstrated by infants?

Crawling reflex. Signup and view all the answers

At what age can infants discriminate their parents' voices?

3 ½ months Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurs in hearing ability at 18 months?

Hearing levels off to adult-like sensitivity Signup and view all the answers

What does the prolonged looking time of infants at novel stimuli suggest?

Transfer of information occurs from touch to vision Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the concept of critical periods in children's perceptual development?

Failure to receive sensory stimulation can hinder development Signup and view all the answers

What type of motor skills involves the use of large muscle groups?

Gross motor skills Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions is an example of fine motor skills?

Scribbling Signup and view all the answers

What developmental pattern describes the progression of motor skills from the head to the feet?

Cephalocaudal pattern Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is a crucial aspect of motor development alongside physical maturity?

Brain growth and development Signup and view all the answers

What visual ability is most dramatically improved from birth to 6 months of age?

Visual acuity Signup and view all the answers

What is perceptual constancy?

The perception of familiar objects as unchanged despite varying sensory input Signup and view all the answers

At what age do infants typically begin to respond to depth cues?

6 to 8 months Signup and view all the answers

What significant visual preference do neonates exhibit after 8 hours of contact over 4 days?

Mother's face Signup and view all the answers

What condition enhances an infant's depth perception, as shown in the visual cliff study?

Ability to crawl Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate visual acuity of children by the age of 3 to 5 years?

20/20 Signup and view all the answers

At what age do infants typically grasp the concept of shape constancy under certain conditions?

4 to 5 months Signup and view all the answers

What happens to infants exposed to a normal backdrop of moderate noise levels by the age of 1 month?

They become habituated to it Signup and view all the answers

At what age can infants typically hold up their heads independently?

3 to 6 months Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary grasp method used by infants around 3 months of age?

Ulnar grasp Signup and view all the answers

Which milestone in locomotion is typically achieved by infants at 7 months?

Sitting on their own Signup and view all the answers

What motor skill can be expected of a child at age 2?

Climb one step at a time Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT influence motor development according to the content?

Parental marital status Signup and view all the answers

What are the reflexes that disappear when cortical development occurs?

Stepping and swimming reflexes Signup and view all the answers

In the context of motor development, what is the effect of extensive early training according to the Arnold Gesell study?

Levels off and does not significantly enhance skills Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of toddlers' locomotion at 12 to 15 months?

They run in a bowlegged manner Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of neurons in the nervous system?

To receive and transmit messages within the body Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain is responsible for regulating basic functions such as heartbeat and respiration?

Medulla Signup and view all the answers

What is myelination and its significance in the development of the nervous system?

The coating of axons with fatty substances that enhances neural transmission Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the human brain's ability to change as a result of experience is true?

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to physically change based on experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What structure of the brain is crucial for balance and motor coordination?

Cerebellum Signup and view all the answers

What does the hierarchical model of development suggest about CNS maturation?

The level of behavior displayed correlates directly with the maturity of the CNS. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant characteristic of the young brain concerning its response to the environment?

It is highly responsive and changes in diminishing quantity throughout life. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consequence of demyelination as seen in multiple sclerosis?

Interference with muscle control Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Early Development of Hearing and Sensory Coordination

Infants can discriminate parent’s voices at 3 ½ months old.
By 18 months, their hearing resembles that of adults.
Exposure to native language leads to a reduction in the ability to distinguish non-native sounds.

Coordination of the Senses

Infants link object recognition across different senses.
Five-month-olds show extended attention to novel stimuli over familiar ones, indicating sensory integration.

Nature and Nurture in Development

Nature: Neonates possess inherent sensory and perceptual skills, capable of tracking moving objects and preferring specific stimuli.
Nurture: Critical periods exist in sensory development; lack of stimulation can lead to lasting sensory deficits.

Motor Development Overview

Physical development involves the growth and refinement of motor skills.
Gross motor skills include whole-body movements like walking and jumping; fine motor skills involve precise movements with hands and fingers.
Motor skill development is linked to physical maturity and brain growth.

Structure and Function of the Nervous System

The nervous system is composed of neurons, which transmit information and vary in size.
Humans are born with approximately 100 billion neurons.
Each neuron consists of a cell body, dendrites (receive information), and an axon (transmits information).

Myelination and Brain Development

Myelin sheath insulates axons, aiding in the speed of neural communication.
Myelination begins in prenatal development and continues into adolescence.
Disruption in myelin (as in multiple sclerosis) affects muscle control and neural transmission.

Key Brain Structures

Medulla: Controls essential functions like heartbeat and respiration.
Cerebellum: Involved in balance, motor behavior, and coordination.
Cerebrum: Responsible for learning, memory, thought, and language; develops folds known as fissures as it matures.

Influences on Brain Development

Environmental stimulation impacts brain growth; connections among neurons increase through experience.
Stimulation is crucial; lack thereof can hinder motor development and adaptability.

Sensory Development

Visual Acuity: Newborns are nearsighted, with visual acuity improving rapidly within the first six months.
Depth Perception: Develops between 6 to 8 months, with studies indicating responses to depth cues at this stage.

Perceptual Constancy

Infants show perceptual constancy early, recognizing objects as unchanged despite varying sensory inputs.
Size constancy and shape constancy appear by the end of the first year.

Reflexes in Infants

Common reflexes include Moro, grasp, sucking, rooting, and stepping.
Reflex development aids in survival and physical control.

Motor Skill Progression

Motor development follows specific timelines, starting with head lifting at 4 weeks and culminating in independent walking by 12 to 15 months.
Children improve grasping skills and coordination as they age, developing the pincer grasp by 9 to 12 months.

Factors Influencing Motor Development

Motor skills are shaped by individual child factors (physiology, temperament) and environmental influences (family, community).
Early motor skill training has mixed efficacy, with extreme deprivation leading to motor delays.

Overall Growth Dynamics

Infants undergo significant brain growth with two critical spurt phases: around the 4th to 5th month of prenatal development and between the 25th week and the end of the second year post-birth.
Effective development hinges on both biological maturation and rich sensory experiences.

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Description

Explore the early development of hearing and sensory coordination in infants as they grow. Discover how nature and nurture play a critical role in sensory integration and motor skills development from birth to 18 months.