Prenatal and Newborn DevelopmentPsychology, Unit 6

Today’s Objectives1. 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

Exit Ticket1. Distinguish zygote, embryo, and

fetus2. What organ attaches the fetus to the

mother’s uterus?3. Define Teratogen and discuss the

possible outcome of using alcohol during pregnancy

4. How might parents influence temperament? How long will this likely last?