Activity Type Title

Chapter 1. Chapter

Infographic

Scientific American: Psychology

Infographic Activity 8.2: Infant Brain and Sensorimotor Development

Infant Brain and Sensorimotor Development

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As newborns grow, they progress at an astounding rate in seen and unseen ways. When witnessing babies’ new skills, whether it be reaching for a rattle or pulling themselves into a standing position, it’s easy to marvel at how far they have come. But what you can’t see is the real action. These sensorimotor advancements are only possible because of the incredible brain development happening in the background.

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1.1 Quiz

1. When she was first born, Sheila’s brain weighed 400 grams. If her growth reflects normal human developmental patterns, her brain will weigh about ______ grams at her first birthday.

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct.
Incorrect.

2. Which of the following is a true statement regarding the neurons in the brain of a newborn baby?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct.
Incorrect.

3. Dara is celebrating her first birthday, and she received many gifts of toys and clothes at the party thrown for her by her parents. She is now sitting amidst her new toys, and is smiling at all of the colors as she tries to decide which she will play with first. Given that she is now 12 months of age, which of the following skills will she be most likely to begin demonstrating?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct.
Incorrect.

4. As babies develop through their first several years of life, there are changes that occur in very rapid sequence. Which of the following sensory changes would be the latest do occur?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct.
Incorrect.

5. Which of the following changes in the brain increases the efficiency of neuron functioning?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct.
Incorrect.

6. Mathilda and Travis are visiting some friends of theirs for dinner, and they take their 18-month old daughter with them. When they get to their friends’ house, Mathilda expresses some concern that they have a two-story house and no gate at the bottom of the steps. Their friend dismisses her concerns, saying that a 18-month old cannot walk up steps. Mathilda politely corrects them, noting that children as early as ______ months of age can typically start talking up a set of stairs.

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct.
Incorrect.