Prenatal Development Growing fetus Reflexes Senses By Drina

Prenatal Development Growing fetus • Reflexes • Senses By Drina Madden • C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 1

Prenatal Development w The beginning of life C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 2

Prenatal Development w The period of the embryo 28 days C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 36 days 3

Prenatal Development w The period of the embryo 48 days C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 54 days 4

Prenatal Development w The period of the fetus Eleventh Week C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 5

Prenatal Development w Fetus - 24 weeks C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 6

w Fetus – 8 months C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 7

Prenatal Development C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 8

Reflexes w First responses n 5 weeks after conception l n Few days later l n Upper lip touch = withdrawal response Sensitivity has spread to palms and soles of feet Before 9 weeks l Sensitivity has spread to whole body C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 9

Reflexes w 9 weeks in utero n n n Withdrawal reactions lessen Primitive reflexes appear Neural development determines timing Appearance l Inhibition l C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 10

Reflexes w Primitive Reflexes n n n Insure protection outside the womb Automatic, stereotyped movements directed from the brain stem No cortex involvement C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 11

Reflexes w Primitive Reflexes n n n Essential for survival in first 2 weeks of life Lay foundation for all later functioning If remain after 6 – 12 months = brain development weaknesses or immaturity C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 12

Reflexes w Primitive Reflexes – brain stem dominated Rooting Reflex – searching sucking and swallowing Moro or Startle Reflex – response to outside stimuli C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 13

Reflexes w Primitive Reflexes Asymmetrical Tonic – muscle tone, vestibular awareness Palmar – grasp reflex C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 14

Reflexes w Postural Reflexes n Form the framework for effective operation of other systems Posture l Movement l Stability l C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 15

Reflexes w Postural Reflexes - rolling Neck Righting Reaction Labyrinth Righting Reaction C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 16

Brain Development w Connections grow through nature and nurture C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 17

Brain Development w Heredity and experiences increase connections C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 18

Brain Development w Electrical activity increases with brain growth gained through experience C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 19

Brain Development w As the body grows – the brain grows C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 20

Brain Development w The lower brain – attention and mood C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 21

The Senses w Touch begins in utero C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 22

The Senses w Vestibular – balance and awareness in space C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 23

The Senses w Hearing begins in utero and strongly connects to neonatal life C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 24

The Senses w Taste begins to connect at birth C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 25

The Senses w Vision is the last sense to complete its journey w In time, sharing occurs C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 26

The Senses w Vision connects with language and perception C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 27

The Senses w Language needs receiving and sending C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 28

After Birth § Attention and mood govern development § Each of the brain lobes grows separately. § Connections begin to reach to other lobes § The child’s brain grows in awareness and flexibility C. H. I. L. D Foundation www. childhealthlearn. org 29