Genes and early experiences in Infant's Physical Development of Lifespan Developmental Psychology

Questions: How do genes and early experiences affect infant development? When does the physical development of infants start? Which part of the infant grows first? Or do all parts grow at the same time?

Answer:
All parts will start growing just after birth, especially brain. That’s why close monitor of the head circumference (a part of developmental chart) is so important for the newborn.


A Chinese proverb “with unclosed fontanel” in describing an adult’s childish or even innocent behavior. I think it will be more appropriate to describe unthought actions after studied this chapter, i.e. an immature brain before fontanel closure. J


During this stage, development will be easily affected by external environment, including stimulations and responses. Studies shown being ignored babies or growing up in deprived area did delay their brain development.


Answer Two:
The physical growth starts early in an infant’s life. After birth, the physical development commences from the head to the bottom part (which is called Cephalocaudal) and from the centre of the body to the extremities (which is called Proxmodistal). The brain exhibits the extensive growth in the first two year of the infant’s life. The connection between neurons is dramatically increased. Blooming and pruning in brain region are observed (Thompson & Nelson, 2001)