Prenatal Developmental Milestones (Before Birth)

Physical Development

The two physical developmental stages during pregnancy are embryonic and fetal stages.

1.

During the embryonic stage of development lasts from implantation until the end of the 8th week of development. During the first 6 weeks the embryo develops at a very rapid pace, preparing for development of the body structures and major organs.

2.

During the second month of development the eyes, ears, mouth, and other distinct body parts begin to form.

Language Development

The developmental milestones in language that typically developing children should achieve, in this period of development,

1. The U.S. National library of medicine (June, 06, 2013) reports that babies may cry while in the womb, A small study that looked at '4 -D' ultrasound scans of the facial movements of 15 unborn babies during the later stages of pregnancy, these 4-D scans combine detailed 3-D images over time. They can provide a real-time moving image of the baby while its still in the womb. According to the study these images show the baby practicing frowning, smiling and other facial expressions. This study was carried out by researchers from the University of Durham, and Lancaster University. 2. During the last trimester of pregnancy babies can recognize the sound of their parent s voices at birth (Berk, 2013), this shows that early language development begins in the

uterus, in order for in infant to recognize voices they have to have some innate understanding of communication.

Cognitive Development

Two cognitive developmental milestones that typically developing children during the prenatal period, which are the developing parts of the brain that controls cognitive development happens within the second and third trimester of pregnancy.

1. By the second trimester billions of the brains neurons are already in place, only a few will continue to be produced after this time. However, the glial cells with will coat the neurons to help transport information to various parts of the brain will continue to develop well after birth (Berk, 2013, p. 92). 2. During the third trimester of pregnancy, areas of the cerebral cortex and the brain have the greatest development (Berk, 2013). With the fetuses ear pressed against the mother s uterus and stomach, the infant reacts to external stimulus of sounds through increase heart rate, and facial expressions. These reactions indicate the beginning of cognitive abilities of receiving, processing, and responding to input via sound, and vibration.

Atypical Development

Atypical development during this period can be caused by a number of factors, such as: genetics, illnesses during pregnancy, bacterial or viral infections, contaminants from kitty liter boxes, or other sources, such as, exotic pets like Iguanas, and live

birds whose feces contains salmonella, or exposure to chemicals, such as, house hold cleaners, industrial cleaners, radiation, emotional stress, fumes from industrial accidents, prescription medications, or street drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and carbon monoxide from cars exhausts, and charcoal grills, or carbon dioxide poisoning such as from scuba-diving or sleeping in an enclosed in area such as a plastic, or non ventilated tenting material, maternal age, maternal death during pregnancy, exercise and nutrition. 1. Also according to Berk (2013, p.97), the use of illegal drugs by 4 percent of the U. S. population of pregnant women contribute to development abnormalities in children However, it is difficult to determine at which stage of pregnancy the majority of damage is done by drug use, such as studies of cocaine users, some infants experienced severe learning disabilities, blindness, and other birth defects, while others appeared to show no trauma at all from the mothers drug abuse. 2. Teratogen refers to the environmental agent that causes damage during pregnancy (Berk, 2013, P.95).

Strategies to Help Families Influence Learning and Development Strategies that families can use to influence their childs learning and developme nt at this developmental stage,

1. Many strategies exists as well as theories on learning that suggest ways in which to help develop childrens learning while in the uterus, such as placing headphones on the mothers stomach and allowing the baby to listen to soothing music, and classical mu sic,

as well as language tapes, and mathematical lesions on tape. Reading out loud and running the belly to stimulate the baby while developing are a few. 2. A healthy diet and proper exercise to help assist the developing fetus with proper nutrients to grow.