HSH206 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Interpersonal Communication, 18 Months, Object Permanence
Infancy: the dependency years
Infancy (0-2 years)
A period of the lifespan characterised by rapid growth (Height and weight)
The changes that occur in the first two years of life are incredible. In less than two years, an infant is
transformed from a seemingly helpless newborn into a talking, walking, havoc-wreaking toddler. No
changes at any other point in the lifespan comes close to the drama and excitement of these early
years.
Height and weight
• Length increased by 50% (Approx. 75cm)
• Following year another 12-14 centimetres are added
• 5-6 centimetres per year until adolescence
• After birth 5% of weight is lost due to diminished intake of fluids (soon recovered)
• Birth weight triples in the first year
• Birth weight quadrupled by the end of the second year
• Weight increases annually by 2.25-27.5kg per year until adolescence
Newborns- Reflexes
Name
Response
Age when reflex
disappears
Significance
Babinski
A baby's toes fan out when the sole of
the foot is stroked from heel to toe
8-12 months
Perhaps a
remnant of
evolution
Blink
A Baby's eyes close in response to
bright light or loud noise
Permanent
Protects the eyes
Moro
A baby throws its arms out and then
inward in response to loud noise or
when its head falls
6 months
May help a baby
cling to its
mother
Palmar
A baby grasps an object placed in the
palm of its hand
3-4 months
Precursor to
voluntary walking
Rooting
When a babys cheek is stroked, it turns
its head toward the stroking and opens
its mouth
3-4 weeks (replaced by
voluntary head
turning)
Helps a baby find
the nipple
Stepping
A baby who is help upright by an adult
and is then moved forward begins to
step rhythmically
2-3 months
Precursor to
voluntary walking
Sucking
A baby sucks when an object is placed
in its mouth
4 months (replaced by
voluntary sucking
Permits feeding
Newborns spend most of each day alternating among four different stages
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Document Summary
A period of the lifespan characterised by rapid growth (height and weight) The changes that occur in the first two years of life are incredible. In less than two years, an infant is transformed from a seemingly helpless newborn into a talking, walking, havoc-wreaking toddler. No changes at any other point in the lifespan comes close to the drama and excitement of these early years. A baby"s toes fan out when the sole of the foot is stroked from heel to toe. A baby"s eyes close in response to bright light or loud noise. A baby throws its arms out and then inward in response to loud noise or when its head falls. A baby grasps an object placed in the palm of its hand. Rooting when a babys cheek is stroked, it turns its head toward the stroking and opens its mouth. May help a baby cling to its mother.
