Unit I Essay Examples
1. Define SIDS and describe some of the possible causes and preventions of this syndrome.
SIDS is a condition that occurs when an infant stops breathing suddenly without an apparent cause.
Research has shown that infants who are placed to sleep on their stomach have a higher incidence of SIDS due to the inability to breath effectively or arouse from sleep when their face is down. It also restricts the infant’s ability to swallow effectively. Also, heart arrhythmias are estimated to occur in as many as 10-15% of SIDS cases. Some of the other instances that it is more likely to occur is in infants with low birth weight, infants who are passively exposed to cigarette smoke, when infants sleep in the same bed as their parents and when they don’t use a pacifier to go to sleep.
To reduce the risk of SIDS, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that infants be place to sleep on their back on a firm surface, do not sleep with the infant, and don’t expose the infant to cigarette in utero or after birth. It is shocking that the CDC web site states that approx. 4,000 infants die of SIDS every year in the US.
2. Briefly describe the three cognitive theories presented in the book and their main differences.
A cognitive theory focuses on how children develop complex thinking skills. .
a. Piaget’s Theory- His belief is that children construct their understanding of the world and go through four states of cognitive development.; Sensorimotor stage, preoperational stage, concrete operational stage and formal operational stage.
b. Vygotsky’s Theory- Socialcultural -He believed that children actively construct their knowledge through social interaction and culture activities. He stressed that cognitive development involves learning to sue the inventions of society, such as language, mathematical systems, and memory strategies.
c. Information-Processing Theory- individuals manipulate information, monitor it, and strategize about it. The processes of memory and thinking are central.
Vygotsky and the Information Processing theory differ from Piaget’s theory in that they recognize that cognition and memory directs language and they suggest that education merely refines the cognitive skills that have already emerged whereas Piaget’s main focus is on language and education.
3. Name and define the four Parenting Styles as defined by Diana Baumrind and discuss how other cultures view them.
a) authoritarian parenting — restrictive, punitive style demanding obedience and respect
b) authoritative parenting — encourages independence but still places limits and controls
c) neglectful parenting — parent is very uninvolved in the child’s life
d) indulgent parenting — highly involved with but place few demands or controls
While we tend to think that the authoritative parenting style is the most effective for the child in America. The authoritarian style has had good results in Arab and Asian worlds. They tend to have high academic achievement due to the strict parental controls. Their goals are perseverance, working hard in school, and respecting their parent’s wishes. Maybe we need a mix of both to boost our academic achievement and decrease our “if it feels good, do it” attitude in America.
4. Motor development begins with some basic reflexes that infants are born with. Describe two of the reflexes and when they begin to disappear and also define some of the reflexes that never disappears.
a. Rooting reflex: This is a survival reflex and occurs when the infant’s cheek is stroked or the side of the mouth is touched. This disappears after 3-4 months.
b. Moro reflex: This occurs in response to a sudden, intense noise or movement. This disappears after 3-4 months.
Some of the reflexes that we are born with and continue to use as an adult are coughing, sneezing, and blinking. The most interesting to me is the reflex that allows a newborn, when immersed in water, to hold its breath and contract its throat to keep water out. Unfortunately this goes away during the first year. We are born with amazing bodies.
5. From the video, Biology of Dads, describe some of the ways that a dad has an influence on his child.
a. Toddler- Physical play with the dad helps to exert power and learns limits. They learn to respect boundaries and take risk. Dad’s use less baby talk and therefore dads aid in language development of the child.
b. Child- Dad’s provide the child with entertainment, more structure and a stronger sense of security and independence.
c. Teen- Dad’s encourage competitiveness and to respect discipline. They tend to take the emotion out of it and set rules and boundaries.
In each area, Dad’s have the opportunity to positively impact a child’s life. Dad’s have an influence as a role model on a girls choice in a future husband and a son relationship with a future wife. This can be positive or negative according to how effective and present a dad is in his child’s life. It is amazing how important our dads are.