Intellectual Development in Infants - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Intellectual Development in Infants

Chapter 9

• Neurons – nerve cells in brain
• Neural pathways – links between neurons – wire the brain for thinking processes
• Link development reach peak at age 10

• Cerebrum
• Thalamus
• Cerebellum
• Pituitary Gland
• Brain Stem
• Spinal Cord

• Axons
• Myelin
• Dendrites
• Synapses
• Neurotransmitters
• See images page 283

• Keep it simple and natural
• Match experiences to child’s mental abilities.
• Practice makes perfect
• Actively involve the baby
• Provide variety , but avoid overload
• Avoid pushing the child. See page 286

• Key terms
• Perception
• Attention span
• Sensorimotor period
• Object permanence
• Imaginative play
• Symbolic thinking
• Concepts

• Remembering experiences
• Making associations
• Understanding cause and effect
• Paying attention

• Sensorimotor – 0-2 years – learn thru senses and actions.
• Preoperational – 2-7 years – in the moment – own activities and perceptions
• Concrete operations – 7-11 years – think logically, learn best thru experiences
• Formal operations – 11-adult – capable of abstract thinking

• Learning to move hands and feet
• Crawling and walking – opens up world
• Seeing, touching smelling, listening
• Everything goes in mouth
• Need to provide objects and toys that stimulate child’s senses

• Concepts – general categories of objects and information
• Think that labels are for whole objects, not parts
• Think that labels apply to the group that the objects belong in
• Believe that an objects can only have one label.

• Understand Age Appropriate for each child
• Give child time and attention
• Positive feedback
• Express love
• Talk, talk, talk
• Keep environment safe – child proof

• Birth to 3 mos.
• 4-6 mos.
• 7-9 mos.
• 10-12 mos.

• The word “Toy” comes from an old English term that means :TOOL
• Toys are TOOLS for a child.
• With these tools, children are allowed to use their senses, fine and gross motor skills, and their imaginations.
• Cognitive and social skills are also increased as a child plays with toys.
• Toys are valuable TEACHING tools.

• Make sure the toy is DAP
• Toys for age-appropriate development of the child
• Soft & Cuddling Toys
• Dolls, stuffed animals, etc.
• Manipulation/Small Motor Skill Toys
• Blocks, puzzles, snap, gears, games, etc.
• Large Motor Skill Toys
• Tricycles/bikes, balls, jump ropes, scooters, etc.
• Dramatic Play
• Dress-up clothes, furniture and accessories, etc.

• SIZE of toy and pieces
• Larger than the child’s two fists
• No SHARP edges or points
• Broken toys should be fixed or thrown away
• NON-TOXIC materials
• Avoid all painted toys for babies & toddlers
• DURABLE, WASHABLE and CLEAN
• Toy’s that won’t break easily
• Toys that can be cleaned easily

• SIZE of toy and pieces
• Larger than the child’s two fists
• No SHARP edges or points
• Broken toys should be fixed or thrown away
• NON-TOXIC materials
• Avoid all painted toys for babies & toddlers
• DURABLE, WASHABLE and CLEAN
• Toy’s that won’t break easily
• Toys that can be cleaned easily

• AGE- APPROPRIATE (DAP)
• Check the suggested age on the packaging
• SAFE
• This applies to new and used toys
• TEACH a Skill or Concept
• Aide in one of the 5 areas of Child Development
• FUN - FUN - FUN!!!

• For more fun view Classic Toys PowerPoint