Intellectual Intellectual Development in Development in

InfantsInfants

Intellectual Intellectual Development in Development in

InfantsInfants

Chapter 9Chapter 9

Early Brain Development

• Neurons – nerve cells in brain• Neural pathways – links between

neurons – wire the brain for thinking processes

• Link development reach peak at age 10

Brain structure• Cerebrum• Thalamus• Cerebellum• Pituitary Gland• Brain Stem• Spinal Cord

How the Brain Works• Axons• Myelin• Dendrites• Synapses• Neurotransmitters

Stimulate Brain Development

• Keep it simple and natural• Match experiences to child’s

mental abilities.• Practice makes perfect• Actively involve the baby• Provide variety , but avoid overload• Avoid pushing the child. See page 286

Intellectual Development in the

First Year• Key terms

– Perception– Attention span– Sensorimotor period– Object permanence– Imaginative play– Symbolic thinking– Concepts

Signs of Intellectual Development

• Remembering experiences• Making associations• Understanding cause and effect• Paying attention

Piaget’s Learning Theories

• Sensorimotor – 0-2 years – learn thru senses and actions.

• Preoperational – 2-7 years – in the moment – own activities and perceptions

• Concrete operations – 7-11 years – think logically, learn best thru experiences

• Formal operations – 11-adult – capable of abstract thinking

Sensory Play• Learning to move hands and feet• Crawling and walking – opens up

world• Seeing, touching smelling, listening• Everything goes in mouth• Need to provide objects and toys that

stimulate child’s senses

Concept Development• Concepts – general categories of

objects and information– Think that labels are for whole

objects, not parts– Think that labels apply to the group

that the objects belong in– Believe that an objects can only have

one label.

Helping Infants Learn• Understand Age Appropriate for

each child• Give child time and attention• Positive feedback• Express love• Talk, talk, talk• Keep environment safe – child proof

Different Toys for Different Ages

• Birth to 3 mos.• 4-6 mos.• 7-9 mos.• 10-12 mos.

Toys• The word “Toy” comes from an old

English term that means :TOOL• Toys are TOOLS for a child. • With these tools, children are allowed

to use their senses, fine and gross motor skills, and their imaginations.

• Cognitive and social skills are also increased as a child plays with toys.

• Toys are valuable TEACHING tools.

Toy Selection• Make sure the toy is DAP

– Toys for age-appropriate development of the child

• Soft & Cuddling Toys– Dolls, stuffed animals, etc.

• Manipulation/Small Motor Skill Toys– Blocks, puzzles, snap, gears, games, etc.

• Large Motor Skill Toys– Tricycles/bikes, balls, jump ropes, scooters, etc.

• Dramatic Play– Dress-up clothes, furniture and accessories, etc.

Safety Issues• SIZE of toy and pieces

• Larger than the child’s two fists

• No SHARP edges or points• Broken toys should be fixed or thrown away

• NON-TOXIC materials• Avoid all painted toys for babies & toddlers

• DURABLE, WASHABLE and CLEAN• Toy’s that won’t break easily • Toys that can be cleaned easily

Child Protection and Safety Act

• SIZE of toy and pieces• Larger than the child’s two fists

• No SHARP edges or points• Broken toys should be fixed or thrown away

• NON-TOXIC materials• Avoid all painted toys for babies & toddlers

• DURABLE, WASHABLE and CLEAN• Toy’s that won’t break easily • Toys that can be cleaned easily

Toys should be …• AGE- APPROPRIATE (DAP)

– Check the suggested age on the packaging

• SAFE– This applies to new and used toys

• TEACH a Skill or Concept– Aide in one of the 5 areas of Child

Development

• FUN - FUN - FUN!!!

The End

• For more fun view Classic Toys PowerPoint