Prenatal and Newborn Development
Make the first year healthy!
Milestones of Prenatal and Newborn Development
Prenatal Development
- 4 weeks cells divide that make up the placenta and baby
- 6 weeks baby's arms and legs begin to develop
- 11 week brain is developing along with eyes and joints
Newborn Development
- Motor Skills. Baby learns to hold head and kick arms and legs
- Hearing. Baby responds to loud noises and the voice of his/her caregiver
- Vision. Baby begins to study objects and examine colors, shapes and sizes
Supporting your baby throughout the first year
- Talk and read to your baby while pregnant
- Make sure to eat a healthy diet
- Keep prenatal appointments
- After baby is born keep medical appointment
- Talk to baby
- Bond with baby
Promoting Healthy Early Development
It is important that baby gets a good start. With a good early start a child has a better chance of excelling in academics. It is important that during pregnancy that baby gets the right amount of nutrients, is not exposed to drugs and/or alcohol, and mom stays as stress free as possible. This gives baby the best chance for proper development and cuts down on the risk of preterm birth. Once baby is born it is important that caregivers bond with baby. This can be done by talking, reading, singing, and holding baby. When baby feels secure he or she is able to concentrate on development instead of survival. Children that have been read to or are included in conversations within the home are more likely to enter kindergarten with a larger vocabulary than those who have not had this opportunity.
Child Development
Research
- Cultural Influences. Some researchers believe that children are a product of their culture or environmental surroundings. This is why it is important to give baby a positive atmosphere to grow up in and a sense of belonging within the family
- Biological Influence. Along with cultural influences it is also believed that biological influences also have an affect on the child. This is known as nature vs. nurture. Some researchers believe that development of a child may be connected with the development of other family members.
References
Berk, L. E. (2012). Infants, Children, and Adolescents (7th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.