Lifespan Development

Complete each section fully and accurately. Give each answer below each question and create space as you need it.

Part 1: Using your lesson, textbook, and course notes (and included videos), answer the following questions fully and accurately:

  1. What are ‘infant reflexes’ and why are they important to test for? Identify and describe two infant reflexes.
  2. What is a ‘motor milestone’ and why do we care when they are supposed to happen? Identify and describe two motor milestones (can be fine motor and/or gross motor) that occur in early childhood.
  3. Define “cognitive” development. Give one example.
  4. Who is Jean Piaget? Give a brief explanation of his theory, then name (identify) the first two stages, and lastly give a brief explanation of each of these two stages. Include at least 3 specific terms (e.g., object permanence) within your explanation of the first two stages (this should be at least 2 terms from the 1st stage and 1+ terms from the 2nd stage).
  5. When does a baby 1) coo, 2) babble, and 3) say 2-3 word utterances (not perfect sentences)?
  6. What is the difference between receptive and expressive language? Both are important—but which one is more important? Why?
  7. What is “attachment” and why is it important? Is it innate or learned? Explain.
  8. Describe the Harry Harlow studies. What did investigate and how did they do it (methods)? What did they find (results)? What was the take-home message (conclusions)?

Part 2: Watch (and take notes on) Improving Early Child Development with Words: Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald (22 minutes) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8qc8Aa3weE.

Describe THREE important things that you learned in this video. For each, your description should be about 2-3 sentences—enough detail that if you described what you learned to a friend, he would understand what you explained to him. 

Sample Solution