CE114 Unit 3: Physical and Motor Development

of the Infant

Feel free to chat with each other. We will begin shortly!

Tonight’s Quote

“Kids go where there is excitement. They stay where there is love.”

Zig Ziglar

Course Checklist

“Nature vs. Nurture”The age-long debate about how and why people do the things they do!

Nature: Growth and development are controlled primarily by heredity Maturationist Perspective (Gesell)

Nurture: Growth and development can be influenced largely by a person’s

environment Behaviorist Perspective (Bandura, Skinner, Watson) Developmental Interactionist Perspective (Piaget) Transactional Perspective (Sameroff & Chandler) Systems Perspective (Gottlieb)

(Puckett & Black, p. 113-114)

Patterns in Growth and Development

Cephalocaudal and proximodistal: “growth and development proceed from the head downward and from the central axis of the body outward”

For most children development follows a similar, predictable pattern for the sequence of abilities

There are critical or sensitive periods for growth and development

Children do have individual rates of growth and development

(Puckett & Black, p. 115-116)

Developmental Milestones for Infants

“Growth and development during the first year are both dramatic and significant” (Puckett & Black, p. 136)

Birth to 3 months 3 – 6 months 6 – 9 months 9 – 12 months

Please refer to Table 5.4 on p.135 of our book to view important milestones for these age groups.

Increased mobility = Increased Psychosocial Development

At first infant’s reactions are reflexive. As they gain control over more of their body their reactions become more purposeful.

How does this affect how they interact with others and with objects in their environment?

(Puckett & Black, p. 136-137)

Major factors that influence physical and motor development

Nature (heredity): Genes Birth weight Illness/medical condition

Nurture (environment): Physical environment (room to explore) Socioeconomic circumstances Cultural differences

(Puckett & Black, p. 137-140)

Field Trip!

Go to class Wikispace http://ecdevelopment.wikispaces.com/Unit+3

Check out assigned link(s) Return to the seminar when prompted

prepared to share with classmates

Early Identification and Intervention

Why is early identification of developmental delays or special needs important?

How can Early Childhood Professionals play a role in identification and intervention?

Weekly Reminders

Complete readings View Web Resources (2 slideshows) Post quality responses to BOTH discussion

questions (support your response with material from the text if possible!) and respond to at least 2-3 of your classmates’ posts per question

Attend seminar OR complete Option 2 for seminar

Complete Project: Analysis of the Learning Environment

Unit 3 Project

Analysis of the Learning Environment Using the PowerPoint presentation "

Creating a Learning Environment", along with information from our unit readings, describe various aspects of the learning environment.

1. Write a 1- to 2-page paper analyzing what constitutes an ideal learning environment, including the role that both nurture and nature play.

2. Create a 5- to 7-slide PowerPoint (not including the title slide and reference slide) analyzing what constitutes an ideal learning environment, including the role that both nurture and nature play

Samples are posted within the course page.

References

Black, J.K., & Puckett, M.P., (2009). The Young Child: Development from prebirth through age eight. Fourth Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.