Chris Traffanstedt
Module 1
There are many areas that can be addressed when it comes to social development and infancy but one of the most interesting and most fun is that of play. By play we are referring to that activity in which humanity engages in enjoyment of various objects and environments. This play is life long but it all begins in infancy and what flows from this time shapes future human development.
In infancy play involves, first and foremost, experimentation (Stages of Play, 2009). This experimentation is with the infant's own five senses, interacting with the world around them. This helps the infant to establish social attachment and also helps them build their place in the world. Bright, colorful and textured toys attract infants to their developing senses. This play establishes five key areas of development for each infant and in each they are using their five senses. The first area of development is physical development. This is where play gives an infant the ability to work their motor skills. The second area is that of emotional development where they explore and learn how things make them feel.
Thus, a game of peekaboo gives a child the ability to feel excitement, surprise and produces laughter. The third area is that of cognitive development where, as they play, they gain knowledge, grow in thinking and begin the important activity of problem solving. The fourth area is that of social development. Play begins to introduce the infant to other people and starts teaching them to interact with society. Finally, play grows the infant in moral development (Play, N.D.). It can be seen that, as children begin to grow in play, they learn rules and acceptable behaviors, which begins to develop the morality. As they interact with their parents the parent's morality (good or bad) is also imparted.
It can be seen in this most basic introduction to play how important it is for children to be exposed to play. I believe it must be said that good playing is a must.
Play. (N.D). Encylopedia of Children's Health. Retrieved from http://www.healthofchildren.com/P/Play.html#ixzz4QP28Cgjk
Stages of Play.(2009). Souvenirs, Gifts, & Novelties, 48(2), 80-85.
Tonya Klemmer
Module 2
Discuss how the social growth and development in infancy are related to the development of the five senses (hearing, sight, taste, smell, and touch) and speech.
As a child grows and develops they are developing their senses through things such as play, observation, eating, etc. When you observe an infant you will often see them looking around and turning their heads to any sounds that they hear. The more something occurs the more the infant learns and begins to recognize the world around them. As reported by Berger (2013), a newborn has no idea that the letters on a page might have significance, that Mother's face should be distinguished from Father's, or that the smells of roses and garlic have different connotations. It seems that from an early age infants are able to distinguish differences using their five senses. As reported in a study conducted by Ratnarajah, Rifkin-Graboi, Fortier, Chong, Kwek, Saw, Godfrey, Gluckman, Meaney, and Qiu (2013), the neonatal brain is well equipped to process cognitive functions needed at birth. This shows that from as early as conception when development begins, an infant can use their senses. We know that in utero a baby can sense their mother's voice, which is an indication that the hearing sense has already been developing.
Berger, K. S. (2013). Invitation to the life span (2nd ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.
Ratnarajah, N., Rifkin-Graboi, A., Fortier, M. V., Chong, Y. S., Kwek, K., Saw, S.-M., . . . Qiu, A. (2013). Structural connectivity asymmetry in the neonatal brain.Neuroimage, 75, 187-194.doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.02.052.
1. Tell us more about what classes and/or life experiences have prepared you for this course?