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Child and Adolescent Development for Educators, 2/e

Judith Meece, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Student Study Guide by Nancy Defrates-Densch

Physical Development

Learning Objectives

After studying this chapter, you should be able to:

Explain how genetics influences a child's development, and describe some common genetic disorders and diseases.

Distinguish the difference between a person's genotype and phenotype, and explain the polygenetic nature of most human traits.

Identify the three stages of prenatal development and describe what occurs at each stage.

Identify at least five teratogens and the effects they have on the developing fetus.

Describe the changes that occur in the brain after birth and discuss how brain development is influenced by experience.

Define brain specialization and identify the cognitive processes associated with each hemisphere of the brain.

Describe the extent and development of an infant's perceptual abilities in terms of vision, hearing, taste, smell, touch and pain.

Identify six reflexes present in infants and the function of each.

Distinguish between gross motor and fine motor skill development, and give a general sequence of development of motor skills.

Describe gender differences in motor development and some possible explanations for these differences.

Identify the physical changes that occur in males and females during puberty and describe the effects early or late maturation may have on boys and girls

Identify at least three special health concerns of children and adolescents and what schools can do to address them.

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