- Describe changes in body size, body proportions, and muscle-fat makeup during the first 2 years of life.
- Describe the development and functions of neurons and glial cells.
- Describe the development of the cerebral cortex, and explain the concepts of brain lateralization and brain plasticity.
- Describe research findings related to the existence of sensitive periods in brain development, and note the evidence of brain growth spurts and the need for appropriate stimulation.
- Discuss changes in the organization of sleep and wakefulness between birth and 2 years of age.
- Discuss the impact of heredity on early physical growth.
- Discuss the nutritional needs of infants and toddlers, the advantages of breastfeeding, and the extent to which chubby babies are at risk for later overweight and obesity.
- Discuss the impact of severe malnutrition on the development of infants and toddlers, and cite two dietary diseases associated with this condition.
- Describe the growth disorder known as nonorganic failure to thrive, noting common symptoms and family circumstances surrounding the disorder.
- Explain how infants learn through classical conditioning, operant conditioning, habituation, and imitation.
- Describe the sequence of motor development during the first 2 years of life.
- Explain the dynamic systems theory of motor development, and discuss support for this approach stemming from cross-cultural research.
- Describe the development of reaching and grasping, and explain how early experiences affect these skills.
- Summarize the development of hearing in infancy, giving special attention to speech perception.
- Summarize the development of vision in infancy, including depth perception, pattern perception, and face perception.
- Explain the concept of intermodal perception.
- Explain the differentiation theory of perceptual development.
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