Infant Brain Development

The Brain begins to develop rapidly immediately after birth and has reached 80% of its size by age 3 and 90% by age 5 (Gross, 2008).  The brain generates and migrates the neurons during the prenatal period, while after birth that have reached the region of the brain where they will specialize (Gross, 2008).  The spinal cord and brain stem which control the basic processes of life such as respiration, reflexes, sleep, etc. are well developed by birth (Gross, 2008).  Neurons interconnect with other neurons to create synapses by axons and dendrites forming together (Gross, 2008).  Axons carry information away from the cell they work with and dendrites carry the messages to that cell (Gross, 2008). 

Synaptogenesis occurs rapidly in the sensorimotor cortex, thalamus, brainstem and cerebellum prior to the infant reaching five weeks of life (Gross, 2008).  At the three month marker, most of the synaptogenesis activity is associated with the visual cortex (Gross, 2008).  Different regions increase activity at different time frames.   After the first year, pruning begins and decreased production of neural activity, varying according to the age and brain region (Gross, 2008).   The limbic system and cerebral cortex, which is needed for higher learning tasks, develop at a much slower rate (Gross, 2008).  Research indicates that two million synapse are produced every second during the active periods of the cerebral cortex (Gross, 2008). 

Learning is dependent upon experiences.  Experience activates neurons to fire and repeating the experience causes the neural networks formed to strengthen (Gross, 2008).  Environmental influences, however, can have a negative impact on brain development.  Early physical and psychological stress has been found to delay the development or hinder growth in the hypothalamus and brainstem (Gross, 2008).   Researchers using MRI techniques have found that severely neglected and abused children have a smaller head and decreased brain mass (Gross, 2008).  Another study using MRI technique found that the greater the abuse the smaller the brain volume (Gross, 2008).  Studies of abused and neglected children in early childhood have detected delays in cognition, emotional factors, social skills, and physical development (Gross, 2008). 

Valerie Poling

References:

Gross, D. (2008). Physical Growth Health and Nutrition. In D. Gross, Infancy: Development from Birth to Age 3 (pp. 141-152). Pearson Education, Inc: Allyn and Bacon.

So, knowing this, what do we do?  How do we reduce the Shaken Babies?  Improve the experiences and expectant learning opportunities?  Prevent influences that negatively impact the development...?  share!

Infant Tempermant

Heredity is indicated to contribute to temperament and personality (Gauvin, 2009).  Temperament is described as the emotional expression, activity level, and sociability of an individual (Gauvin, 2009).  Research indicates, however, as an individual ages, personalities and temperament become influenced by the experiences of their life (Gauvin, 2009).  Other theories related not only genetics to temperament, but the prenatal and postnatal environment (Gauvin, 2009). 

Research by Thomas and Chess defined temperament as the attitude and response to environment on a routine basis (Gauvin, 2009).  This attitude and response included the emotional expressions, amount of energy relevant to specific activities, and ability to interact socially (Gauvin, 2009).  These researchers labeled temperament in infants into difficult, easy, and slow to warm up (Gauvin, 2009).  Difficult babies had irregular sleeping and eating patterns, became agitated and upset in new situations, displayed increased fussiness and crying bouts (Gauvin, 2009).  The Slow to Warm Up incants had decreased responses or negative responses to initial new stimuli but would eventually adapt to the stimuli presence (Gauvin, 2009).  Easy babies seemed happy and easily adapted to new stimuli and environmental changes (Gauvin, 2009). 

Another researched theory suggested by Rothbart indicated that temperament changes as individuals mature and change based on their personal experiences (Gauvin, 2009).  Rothbarg suggested an Infant Behavior Questionnaire which categorized temperament on specific categories such as positive affect, irritable distress, fearful distress, activity level, attention span, and rhythmicity (Gauvin, 2009). 

The outcome for these children and the influence their temperament may have is variable upon the responses received from their caregivers (Gauvin, 2009).  Temperament elicits varying responses from caregivers, thus creating the learned response for certain behaviors and stimuli.  Furthermore, cultural beliefs assist in shaping temperament (Gauvin, 2009).  Research indicates that the reactions of the caregiver help to shape the temperament of the child.  For example, it has been noted that difficult babies have higher rates of developmental problems later in life (Gauvin, 2009).  The etiology of these problems is based on the increased stress of the infant, and the difficult expressions may result in negative social responses from the caregivers (Gauvin, 2009).  However, research has also found that difficult babies whom receive supportive and patient responses from their caregivers have decreased risk of long term developmental problems.  The child’s temperament being responded to appropriately is termed the Goodness of Fit (Gauvin, 2009).

Temperament it seems relies on the reactions received from their caregivers and immediate environment (Gauvin, 2009).  Temperament can change over time as new experiences are added to the infant’s knowledge base (Gauvin, 2009).  Cultural behaviors assist in shaping the infants social skills which has been supported by research (Gauvin, 2009).  It has been noted that Chinese American infants are calmer and faster to adapt  (Gauvin, 2009).  Similarly, Japanese infants have been found less reactive and distressed by environmental changes (Gauvin, 2009).  This is likely learned from their caregiver’s responses to them and the stimuli.  In studies of pre term infants it has found that social and emotional support is critical for social adjustment (Berk, 2008).

Valerie Poling

 References:

Berk, L. E. (2008). Foundations of Development. In L. E. Berk, Infants, Children and Adolescents (pp. 129-145). Allyn and Bacon.

Gauvin, P. (2009). Child Psychology: A Contemporary Viewpoint, 7th ed. In C. U. HASOP, Psychology Human Prenatal Development (pp. 3-36). McGraw-Hill Primis.

Gross, D. (2008). Physical Growth Health and Nutrition. In D. Gross, Infancy: Development from Birth to Age 3 (pp. 141-174). Pearson Education, Inc: Allyn and Bacon.

reBlog from Mommy Tyme: Mom Has a Voice

I found this fascinating quote today:

I have heard some say fate is the key!  Destiny is the cause!  The one and only perfect true love is the answer.... but, truthfully, what are the odds you are going to find that one and only destined true love that is out there for you?  What if he lives in Europe and you in the US and you are scared to fly or cross the ocean?  How will that ever happen?Mommy Tyme, Mom Has a Voice, Nov 2009

You should read the whole article.

I have entered another of the great contests held at Great Finds!  you can check the entries out at:

http://madeformebyoaklie.com/greatfinds.html


voting is to the left of the page, and the competition is tough!  I have a fringed, colorful neckwarmer entered, and if you like it, I would be honored if you would vote for Mommy Tyme on the ballot (to the left of the page!)

Thanks for checking everyone out!

reBlog from Mommy Tyme: Mommy's Reviews you can Use

I found this fascinating quote today:

If you can't remember when you last enjoyed a family dinner, make plans to have them more often. Experts have found – and continue to discover - plenty of benefits for both children and adults when families have dinner together at least three times a week.Mommy Tyme, Mommy's Reviews you can Use, Oct 2009

You should read the whole article.

Well, besides my pursuit of the perfect Handmade Holiday, there is also the meal planning and festivities to think about (it's not all gifts, you know...)! One problem, or consideration, when YOU are the host, is what to serve? These days it is hard to just do a traditional turkey or ham because there are so many diet variations that people adhere to. In my family, I have one set of vegetarians, and another set who only eat organic (including meat)! Now, I don't have cows or pigs to slaughter, so that is a little difficult for me to do. I have, however, located some pretty fun recipes on the web. I am going to share these with you over the next few weeks- if you try ANY of them, please share with us! As a mom who works full time out of the house, and trying to run my own in house business, plus taking classes- I really don't get to cook to much! In fact, weekends I cook everything up for the entire week- freeze some of it- and we live off of that Monday thru Friday!
So, if you do use the recipes I list here, they are GREAT!, let us know! If they land everyone in the ER with stomach pain, let us know!

So, here we go...

For the vegetarians I found this great little site that has tons of vegetarian recipes. You can actually plug in ingredients you want to use, and it will pull up recipes that use those for you! Very cool....

http://www.mydailymoment.com/recipes/category/vegetarian.php

now, remember to think of yourself during the holidays! Don't let the entire event become overwhelming and you run yourself into the ground, either! There are lots of things you can do to beat the stress! I found a great site with a few tips that can really help! check this out!

http://www.qualityhealth.com/featured-article-segment?fa=179&rf=41138&mc=MjA2MjgwNDA.&ct=36928

Hey, if you have ideas or thoughts on beating stress, share them here with us, too! We could all use a little down time for ourselves! Remember, you can always stop by Mommy Tyme and grab yourself a handmade soap or foaming bubble bath, and retreat to your tub for an hour with a good book! Check out the new serenity bar with essential oils known to calm and relax! On sale now at http://www.MommyTyme.etsy.com

reBlog from Mommy Tyme: Mom Has a Voice

I found this fascinating quote today:

But, the reality is, this happens all the time to women.  This particular girl has three kids with the man, and this week one of his "girlfriends" will be giving birth to his child.  This poor girl has put up with this for 6 plus years.  I wanted to shake her and ask "What the hell are you thinking?"  But, I didn't. Mommy Tyme, Mom Has a Voice, Nov 2009

You should read the whole article.

Check out my new blog and Scream Your Opinions! Mom has a voice, This blog is for mom's who want to share and gripe about all the things we encounter and deal with every day (that no one seems to appreciate!)

Check it out at:
http://momhasavoice.blogspot.com/

reBlog from Mommy Tyme: Mishaps of Mommy

I found this fascinating quote today:

Well, here it is another month coming around....November! Actually, November is one of my favorite months... The leaves, the weather, the bonfires! I am also really excited about promoting some of my new holiday items! And, I have made a committment this year to Buy Handmade! I hope you all do the same? Anyway, with a new month, means a new blank slate for my Spotlight Page! I want to offer everyone here the opportunity first... If you would like to promote your shop, store, business (and it does not have to be handmade, but it does have to be something that is beneficial to women, Mom's, or the family unit), then please check out the spot and get me your info. As always, this is totally free, but it is first come first serve- AND you have to meet the criteria of what I am trying to offer to my viewers-Mommy Tyme, Mishaps of Mommy, Oct 2009

You should read the whole article.