The Prenatal Period of Development

HDF 501: Lifespan Development

Wheelock College

Boston, MA

• Prenatal period – stage between conception and birth

• Marked by formation of all basic organs

Stages of Development: Prenatal

Note – Image source: Cole, M., Cole, S., and Lightfoot, C. (2008). The development of children (6th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.

The Prenatal Period

Physical Social Emotional Language Cognitive

Prenatal

Early Infancy

Later Infancy

Early Childhood

Middle Childhood

Adolescence

Adulthood

Development in the Prenatal Period

Physical Social Cognitive

Prenatal Growth of organism from a single cell to a

baby with all vital organs and life

systems in place. The Apgar Scoring

System assesses a baby’s physical

condition at birth.

Newborn enters the world and develops its

relationships with close family members. Baby’s entry into the world is mediated by cultural beliefs and

values.

Babies can process stimuli from the

environment (visual, auditory, etc.). The Brazelton Neonatal Assessment Scale

evaluates a newborn’s neurological condition.

Normal and Atypical Development

Note – Image source: Cole, M., Cole, S., and Lightfoot, C. (2008). The development of children (6th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.

Four Questions of Developmental Science

Continuity

Sources of Development

Plasticity

Individual Differences

“We are born weak, we need strength; helpless, we need aid; foolish, we need reason. All that we lack at birth, all that we need when we come to man's estate, is the gift of education.” -Jean Jacques Rousseau