INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT IN INFANTS CHAPTER 9 THE STRUCTURE

INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT IN INFANTS CHAPTER 9

THE STRUCTURE OF THE BRAIN • Much of a baby’s increased brain function is due to the quantity and quality of experiences the baby has. • At birth, baby has billions of neurons, nerve cells. • In response to experiences, babies’ brain immediately begin to develop links between these neurons. The link between the neurons is called a neural pathway. These pathways “wire’ the brain so that it can control different body functions and thinking process. • Neural Pathways are created quickly. • *Synapses are the tiny gap between the dendrites where messages are transmitted from one neuron to another • *Pruning = when synapses fade away due to not being repeated

SIGNS OF INTELLECTUAL GROWTH • Remembering Experiences • E. g. stop crying when a parent enters the room • Making Associations • E. g. parent = comfort • Understanding Cause and Effect • E. g. Sucking causes milk to flow • Paying Attention • • Attention Span = (def. ) a length of time a person can concentrate on a task without getting bored Above-average intelligence = short attention span • Beyond infancy above-average intelligence have a longer attention span

SENSORIMOTOR PERIOD • (def. ) Piaget’s first stage of learning and lasts from birth to about age 2. Babies learn mainly through their senses and their own actions • Object permanence = (def. ) the concept that objects will continue to exist, even when they are out of sight. • E. g. Peek-A-Boo • Imaginative Play = (def. ) pretending • Seen through mimicking • Symbolic Thinking = (def. ) the use of words and numbers to stand for ideas • Seen through reading

ENCOURAGING LEARNING • Learn About Child Development • Give the Child Time and Attention • Provide Positive Feedback • Express Love • Read • Talk, Talk

COMMUNICATING WITHOUT WORDS • Babies communicate long before they can talk • Communicate with babies between 6 – 12 months • Allows them to learn the language before they develop the ability to speak • Motor skills develop before physical skills needed for speech • 3 -4 signs consistently for several days to weeks, once mastered add a few more

BABY SIGN LANGUAGE • Greeting Signs https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Jsg 6 Eniv_7 Q • Family Signs https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Urc. Kwvn 88 Pk • First Food Signs https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=H 1 w 3 vz 9 Yhj 0 • Daily Routines Signs https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=iken 6 Lwgt 5 k • Other Helpful Signs https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=w-RLewpsul. E

LEARNING TO SPEAK • Before learning to speak, a baby must learn to associate meanings with words • Tips: • • Use simple words Avoid baby talk Speak clearly using simple words Talk to the baby about everything they do • First real words are usually understandable between ages 8 – 15 months

WHAT’S THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY? TOYS ARE TOOLS FOR LEARNING! Birth to 3 Months • Things to look at and listen to • Bright colors • Moving objects • Interesting sounds • Mobiles • Brightly colored wallpaper and pictures 4 to 6 Months 7 to 9 Months 10 to 12 Months • Touch, handle, bang, shake, suck, and chew • Teething rings, cups, rattles, and plastic toys • Stuffed toys to touch • Squeak and make noise • Simple picture books and love being read to • Handle, throw, pound, bang, and shake • Noises fascinate • Different textures to feel or press on • Enjoy blocks, balls, large plastic beads • Push and kick toys • Stacking • Need things to crawl after • Push and pull toys to walk • Enjoy toys to manipulate • Baskets, boxes, and containers are fun • Picture books and short stories