Chapter6Infancy

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Questions and Answers

By their first birthday, most babies will have:

Lost weight from their birth weight

Quadrupled their birth weight

Tripled their birth weight (correct)

Doubled their birth weight

What is the typical weight gain for a baby from 6 to 12 months?

1 to 3 ounces a week

3 to 5 ounces a week (correct)

5 to 7 ounces a week

10 to 12 ounces a week

Which growth pattern describes growth from the center of the body to the extremities?

Horizontal growth pattern

Cephalocaudal pattern

Vertical growth pattern

Proximodistal pattern (correct)

What is essential for promoting brain development during infancy?

Quality sleep Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of growth is not as important as the overall trend in a growth chart?

Baby’s position on the growth curve Signup and view all the answers

At what age do infants typically develop more adult-like sleep patterns?

4 months Signup and view all the answers

What describes the transition from one-word utterances to more complex speech in toddlers?

Holophrase hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of semantics in language development?

Set of rules that govern the meaning of words and phrases Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of language is considered the overarching organizing principle due to its relation to context?

Pragmatics Signup and view all the answers

How do toddlers demonstrate an understanding of pragmatics with single-word utterances?

By making requests or statements with the same word Signup and view all the answers

What does semantic development involve?

Understanding varied meanings of words and their relationships to reality Signup and view all the answers

Why might parents be concerned when toddlers start to exhibit lying behavior?

It reflects an understanding of language and the perspectives of others Signup and view all the answers

What stage follows holophrase hypothesis in the language development of toddlers?

Telegraphic speech Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the meanings of words learned by toddlers?

Meanings of words are socially shared and can vary Signup and view all the answers

At what age do infants typically begin babbling?

6 to 8 months Signup and view all the answers

What is the holophrase hypothesis?

A stage where infants use one word to convey a complete thought. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to infants' ability to recognize sound changes in different languages after 6 months?

They gradually lose this ability. Signup and view all the answers

At what age has a child typically developed a receptive language understanding of about 50 words?

13 months Signup and view all the answers

What role does Broca's area play in language development?

It directs muscle movements involved in speech production. Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon occurs in language development between 18 months and 2 years?

A rapid expansion of vocabulary. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of behavioral theories in language development?

Learning through environmental interactions Signup and view all the answers

B.F. Skinner's operant conditioning suggests that behavior is influenced by what?

Consequences of the behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of adults in the behavioral theory of language development?

Correctors and reinforcers of child speech Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT typically associated with language development according to behavioral theories?

Genetic inheritance Signup and view all the answers

What is an inherent limitation of testing language development theories experimentally?

Language development can vary greatly among individuals Signup and view all the answers

In behavioral theories, how does a child learn to improve their language skills?

By receiving direct feedback from adults Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is a key characteristic of language development across cultures?

It is universal among all human societies Signup and view all the answers

According to behavioral theories, what happens when a child incorrectly identifies an object?

Their mistake is corrected by an adult Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant difference between behavioral theories and other models of language development?

Behavioral theories disregard the role of genetics Signup and view all the answers

Why is observational study favored in language development research?

Language development cannot be experimentally manipulated Signup and view all the answers

Infants experience their largest percentage of growth during infancy.

True Signup and view all the answers

Most babies triple their birth weight by the time they are 5 months old.

False Signup and view all the answers

Infants are passive observers in their own development.

False Signup and view all the answers

Healthy infants all grow at the exact same rate and size.

False Signup and view all the answers

During the first 6 months, an infant typically grows about 1 to 1.5 centimeters a month.

True Signup and view all the answers

Play is essential for infants to learn about their world.

True Signup and view all the answers

A diet high in protein and fat is beneficial for an infant's cognitive development.

True Signup and view all the answers

The first year of life is an appropriate time to restrict an infant's fat intake.

False Signup and view all the answers

Poverty has no significant effect on an infant's cognitive development.

False Signup and view all the answers

Early intervention programs can help mitigate the negative effects of poverty on cognitive development.

True Signup and view all the answers

Language development primarily occurs before birth.

False Signup and view all the answers

Mother's milk and infant formula provide 40-50% of an infant's energy as fat.

True Signup and view all the answers

Infants do not require dietary fat for their neurological development.

False Signup and view all the answers

Children raised in low-income families are at higher risk for cognitive and social problems.

True Signup and view all the answers

Infants are able to understand the full complexities of language at birth.

False Signup and view all the answers

The interaction between parents and infants during babbling is essential for language development.

True Signup and view all the answers

As infants babble, they simultaneously develop the necessary musculature for speech.

False Signup and view all the answers

Every time an infant pauses in their speech, it creates an opportunity for parents to respond.

True Signup and view all the answers

Parents should avoid talking to their infants while preparing food because it confuses them.

False Signup and view all the answers

The physical size of an infant's tongue is already proportionate to their mouth at birth.

False Signup and view all the answers

Semantic development is solely about learning the correct pronunciations of words.

False Signup and view all the answers

Pragmatics is considered an overarching organizing principle due to its connection to the context of spoken language.

True Signup and view all the answers

Lying in toddlers is a sign of negative cognitive development.

False Signup and view all the answers

The telegraphic speech in toddlers typically consists of more than three words.

False Signup and view all the answers

All single-word utterances from toddlers can be definitively interpreted without context.

False Signup and view all the answers

Pragmatics allows the speaker to break rules of language to achieve specific outcomes.

True Signup and view all the answers

Semantics is only concerned with the literal meanings of words.

False Signup and view all the answers

The meanings of words are socially shared among individuals.

True Signup and view all the answers

Semantic development includes understanding how meanings of words are related to the speaker's intent.

True Signup and view all the answers

Match the following growth patterns with their descriptions:

Cephalocaudal = Growth from head to toe Proximodistal = Growth from the center of the body to extremities Exponential growth = Rapid increase in size over time Growth curve = Overall trend in a child's growth measurements Signup and view all the answers

Match the following aspects of brain development with their explanations:

Myelin sheath = Insulates nerve cells for faster information processing Neurons = Nerve cells responsible for processing information Shaken baby syndrome = Cause of brain swelling and hemorrhaging from shaking Experience = Stimulates neural connections and brain development Signup and view all the answers

Match the following infant development milestones with their corresponding ages:

Four months = More adult-like sleep patterns develop First birthday = Most babies triple their birth weight 6 to 12 months = Growth of about 3/8 inch per month 2 years = Average weight of 26 to 32 pounds Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions related to infant growth:

Top heavy = Infants have proportionally larger heads Growth spurts = Rapid increases in size within a short period Transition periods = Time when weight gain temporarily slows or stops Cognitive development = Advancement in thinking and understanding Signup and view all the answers

Match the following statements with their relevance to infant health:

Weight tracking = Important for monitoring growth trends over time Sleep in separate crib = Common practice in U.S. for safety Growth chart position = Less critical than the overall growth trend Periods of weight loss = Doctor concerns arise if there's no weight gain Signup and view all the answers

Match the following theorists with their key contributions to language development:

Noam Chomsky = Proposed the Language Acquisition Device (LAD) B.F. Skinner = Emphasized operant conditioning in language learning Vygotsky = Highlighted the role of social interaction in learning Piaget = Stressed cognitive development stages in children Signup and view all the answers

Match the following components of language with their definitions:

Phonemes = The smallest units of sound in a language Morphemes = The smallest units of meaning in a language Syntax = The arrangement of words to create sentences Pragmatics = The rules governing the use of language in social contexts Signup and view all the answers

Match the language acquisition models with their characteristics:

Behavioral Theory = Focuses on environmental stimuli and reinforcement Nativist Theory = Suggests that language ability is innate and biological Cognitive Theory = Links language development to cognitive growth Sociolinguistic Models = Emphasizes the interaction of social context and language Signup and view all the answers

Match the language features with their relevant examples:

Subject-Verb-Object Word Order = English language structure Holophrases = Single words used to convey complex ideas Babbling = Early vocalizations in infants Code-switching = Switching between languages in conversation Signup and view all the answers

Match the following language development milestones with their typical age:

Babbling begins = Around 4 to 6 months First words spoken = Around 12 months Two-word sentences = Around 18 to 24 months Simple sentences = Around 2 to 3 years Signup and view all the answers

Match the following theorists with their views on language acquisition:

Skinner = Language learned through reinforcement and feedback from adults Chomsky = Innate ability for language development Vygotsky = Language development through social interactions Piaget = Cognitive development precedes language acquisition Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions related to language development:

Babling = Early speech-like sounds produced by infants Holophrase = Single word expressing a complete idea Modeling = Adults imitating and responding to infants' speech Conversational patterning = Back-and-forth exchanges between babies and caregivers Signup and view all the answers

Match the following stages of language development with their characteristics:

Pre-linguistic stage = Babbling and sound experimentation One-word stage = Single-word utterances with meaning Two-word stage = Combining two words into simple phrases Telegraphic speech = Short sentences that contain only essential words Signup and view all the answers

Match the following aspects of early language experience with their importance:

Ambient sound input = Forms a foundation for language processing Caregiver interaction = Encourages speech and conversation skills Feedback from adults = Refines and corrects language use Conversational turn-taking = Promotes back-and-forth communication Signup and view all the answers

Match the following statements about language development theories with their proponents:

Behaviorism = Children learn through exposure and reinforcement Nativism = Innate capacities drive language acquisition Social Interactionism = Development occurs through social contexts Cognitive Development Theory = Language develops as cognitive skills mature Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Physical Growth

Infants grow rapidly in their first year.
The average baby triples their birth weight by the first year.
During the second year of life, growth slows down.
Infants experience two growth patterns: cephalocaudal and proximodistal.
Cephalocaudal pattern means growth starts from the head and moves down.
Proximodistal growth pattern starts at the center of the body and moves toward extremities.

Brain Development

The brain develops extensively during pregnancy and infancy.
Neurons are present in a brain at birth.
Neurons process information.
Myelin sheath insulates nerve cells and makes information processing faster.
Experience enhances brain development.
Sleep is essential for brain development.

Language Development

Crying is present at birth and signals distress.
Cooing starts around 1-2 months.
Babbling occurs in the middle of the first year.
Gestures begin around 8 to 12 months.
Infants recognize sounds in all languages from birth to 6 months.
Between 6 months and 1 year, infants focus on specific sounds in their own native language.
Infants say their first words around 10 to 15 months.
At 13 months, infants understand around 50 words (receptive language).
At 18 months, infants can speak around 50 words.
Between 18 months and 2 years, infants experience a vocabulary spurt and speak around 200 words.
Biology, vocal apparatus, brain, and language acquisition device (LAD) contribute to language development.
Aphasia is a loss of ability to use words due to brain damage.
Broca's area, located in the left frontal lobe, controls muscle movements for speech production.
Wernicke's area, located in the left hemisphere, plays a role in language comprehension.

Language Development Models

Behavioral theories are based on the nurturing aspect of development.
Behavioral theories suggest that language learning is similar to any other learning during childhood.
According to behavioral theories, language is learned through reinforcement or corrections from adults.

Infants are emotional beings.
They are sensitive to emotional states of others.
Emotions are feelings or affects that can be positive or negative.
Emotions are influenced by perceptions.
Functionalists believe emotions are linked with individual goals.
Primary emotions are present in humans and animals and appear within the first 6 months.
Self-conscious emotions require cognition, empathy, jealousy, and embarrassment appear around 1.5 years old.
Pride, shame, and guilt emerge around 2.5 years old.
Crying is an infant’s first way of communication.
There are three types of crying: basic, anger, and pain.
Quick response to a crying infant is important for developing a strong bond and security.

Imitation

Immediate imitation is when infants mimic actions right away.
Delayed imitation is when infants mimic actions after a few hours or days.
Infants imitate language they hear.
Language-rich environment promotes imitation.

Physical Development in Infancy

Infants double their birth weight by 5 months
Infants need a diet high in fat for brain development
Poverty negatively impacts infant cognitive development
Early intervention programs can help infants overcome the negative effects of poverty

Cognitive Development in Infancy

Language development is a key component of cognitive development
Toddlers develop language in a predictable pattern: from one-word utterances to two-, three-, and four-word utterances
Semantics are the set of rules for the meaning of words and phrases
Pragmatics is the intentional use of language to achieve specific outcomes
Infants learn language through interaction and modeling
Biology influences language development, including the evolution of the vocal apparatus and the role of the brain
Infants are born with a language acquisition device, a biological ability to learn language
A critical period exists for language learning

Language Development in Infancy

Crying is present at birth and signals distress
Cooing begins around 1 to 2 months
Babbling begins at the middle of the first year
Gestures begin around 8 to 12 months
From birth to 6 months, infants recognize most sound changes in any language
After 6 months, infants learn their own language and gradually lose the ability to recognize sound changes in other languages
The first words occur between 10 to 15 months
Infants understand about 50 words at 13 months but are unable to say them until about 18 months
Children develop a vocabulary spurt from 18 months to 2 years
From 18 months to 2 years, toddlers use short and precise two-word utterances (telegraphic speech)
Broca's area is responsible for speech production, while Wernicke's area is responsible for language comprehension
Noam Chomsky believes humans are biologically prewired to learn language
There is a critical period for learning language, as demonstrated by the story of Genie, who suffered severe language deprivation

### Infant Growth and Development

Infants typically grow 3/8 inch (1 centimeter) per month and gain 3 to 5 ounces (85 to 140 grams) per week during their first year of life.
Most babies triple their birth weight by their first birthday.
Average North American newborns are 20 inches tall and weigh 7.5 pounds.
Average 2-year-olds weigh 26 to 32 pounds and are 32 to 35 inches tall (almost half their adult height).
Growth slows considerably in the second year.

Growth Patterns

Cephalocaudal pattern: Growth from head down, resulting in "top-heavy" appearance in infants.
Proximodistal pattern: Growth from the center of the body outwards, starting with the trunk, then arms, and finally hands and fingers.

Brain Development

The brain develops extensively in utero and during infancy.
Neurons (nerve cells) are present at birth, responsible for information processing.
Myelin sheath, a fatty layer that insulates nerve cells, plays a crucial role in speeding up information processing.
Shaken baby syndrome is a serious risk causing brain swelling and hemorrhaging.
Experience stimulates brain development, shaping connections among neurons.
Adequate sleep is critical for promoting brain development during infancy.

Language Development

Children learn language from competent adults using feedback and reinforcement.
Conversational patterns are vital for language development:
- Early babbling helps infants explore sounds and speech patterns.
- Adults often engage in "talking" with babies, modeling conversation and responding to their babbling.
Psycholinguistic theory proposes that language acquisition is an innate, biological process possibly driven by a specific brain area.
Noam Chomsky's Language Acquisition Device (LAD) theory suggests a universal brain module for language learning, allowing children to learn any language.
Sociolinguistic models emphasize the interplay of nature and nurture, suggesting the brain's language processing areas develop during gestation with environmental sounds as input, but require extensive language experience after birth for full functionality.

Infants use crying to communicate their needs, and prompt responses build trust.
Reflexive smile occurs in the first month after birth, usually during sleep.
Social smile appears around 2 to 3 months, responding to external stimuli, primarily faces.
Fear, particularly stranger anxiety, develops around 6 months and intensifies between 9 to 12 months.
Separation protest, distress upon being separated from a caregiver, peaks at about 15 months.
Social referencing: Infants use emotional cues from caregivers to interpret social situations.
Self-soothing is important for transitioning from dependence on caregivers to independence.
Transitional objects, such as teddy bears or blankets, help infants with this transition.
Emotional regulation indicates a child's ability to manage emotions.
Temperament refers to a child's behavioral style and emotional responses:
- Easy child: Positive mood, easily adaptable.
- Difficult child: Negative, cries frequently, adapts slowly.
- Slow-to-warm-up child: Low activity level, less adaptable, subdued mood.
Goodness of fit: A match between a child's temperament and environmental demands is essential for well-being.
Trust is crucial for emotional security in infancy.
Erikson's trust vs. mistrust stage (birth to one year) highlights the importance of a secure and comfortable experience for infants.
Scaffolding refers to providing appropriate support for a child to learn new skills in a supportive environment.

Childcare and Parenting

Parental leave policies vary, often lacking paid leave throughout infancy.
High-quality childcare is characterized by:
- Small group sizes
- Low adult-child ratios
- Teachers with specialized training
- Sensitive caregiver interactions
Quality care and limited childcare hours are associated with positive outcomes for children.
Effective parenting involves:
- Making good parenting decisions
- Spending quality time interacting with children
- Teaching self-soothing strategies
- Monitoring development
- Finding appropriate childcare

### Other Important Information

Swaddling and massage can soothe crying infants.
Reciprocal socialization refers to the back-and-forth interaction and influence between parents and children.
Labeling children based on temperament should be avoided.

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Test your knowledge on key aspects of infant development, including physical growth patterns, brain development, and language milestones. Understand how these processes unfold during the first years of life and their significance for future growth.