Transcript alt-2.-Prenatal-a..

Prenatal and Newborn
Development
Psychology, Unit 6
Today’s Objectives
1. Know terms of prenatal
development
2. Know factors in
nourishment/defects
3. Define critical period, teratogens,
and fetal alcohol syndrome
4. Explain factors in newborn
reflexes, temperament, and
perception
Prenatal Development
• 40 week period from
conception to birth
• 1st 2 wks= zygote
• 2 wks-12 wks= embryo
• 12 wks-birth= fetus
Prenatal Nourishment/Development
• Placenta- organ that attaches fetus
to uterus and provides nourishment
thru-out prenatal phase
• Food and drink cross thru the
placenta and can affect the
developing fetus
• Teratogens are toxic substances
that cross the placenta and can
result in birth defects
Critical Period
• First trimester (3mos) most severe
damage can result from teratogens
• 2nd and 3rd trimesters indicate
decreasing damage from teratogens
• Stress, poor nutrition, smoking,
drinking, legal and illegal drug use
can cause serious birth defects,
premature birth, low birth weight and
lifelong cognitive impairments and
behavioral disorders
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
• A child exposed to alcohol during
the prenatal phase may develop
fetal alcohol syndrome
–Facial deformities, heart defects,
stunted growth, cognitive
impairments, premature birth,
low birth weight
–Entirely preventable, but not
curable
Newborns
• Known as neonates
• Sleep up to 20 hours a day,
but are proven to be very
aware of their surroundings
and have a keen sense of their
parents/siblings
Reflexes
• Rooting- explore w/ mouth
• Sucking- suck on object placed in
mouth
• Swallowing- duh!
• Grasping- close fists around
objects in hand
• Stepping- make stepping motion
when held upright
Temperament
• All different from birth, but tend
to indicate future behavior
• A difficult baby may create
tired, frustrated parents who,
as a result of their own
temperament, will foster
continued difficult behaviors
Perception
• Vision- takes 3-4yrs to develop
completely; blurry at birth, but very
good by 6-8 mos
• Depth- develops by the time they
crawl; 6-8 mos
• Other senses- hearing develops
fully in womb; smell and taste may
develop before birth, but are
certainly present at birth
1.
2.
3.
4.
Exit Ticket
Distinguish zygote, embryo, and
fetus
What organ attaches the fetus to the
mother’s uterus?
Define Teratogen and discuss the
possible outcome of using alcohol
during pregnancy
How might parents influence
temperament? How long will this
likely last?