Growth, Germinal, Embryonic, and Fetal Stages, Teratogens, Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome, Neonatal Assessment, Apgar and Brazelton Scales, Preterm and Low-
Birth-Weight Infants, Physical, Cognitive, and Psychosocial Development,
Piaget’s Sensorimotor to Formal Operations, Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory,
Information-Processing, Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Systems, Freud’s
Psychosexual and Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages, Classical and Operant
Conditioning, Bandura’s Observational Learning, Temperament and Personality,
Heredity, Environment, Genotype-Phenotype Interactions, Polygenic and
Multifactorial Inheritance, Critical and Sensitive Periods, Plasticity, Imprinting,
Reciprocal Determinism, Family and Culture Influences, Socioeconomic Status,
Cohort and Historical Generational Effects, Active, Passive, and
Continuous/Discontinuous Development, Cognitive Schemes, Assimilation,
Accommodation, Equilibration, Self-Efficacy, Developmental Risk and Resilience,
Kangaroo Care, Natural and Prepared Childbirth, Cesarean Delivery, Neonatal
Jaundice, and Early Intervention Strategies Exam Questions Verified and
Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
child development
the scientific study of processes of change and stability in human children
social construction
concept or practice that is an invention of a particular culture or society
,Developmental scientists study three broad domains, or areas, of the self:
physical, cognitive, and psychosocial
physical development
growth of body and brain, including biological and physiological patterns of change in sensory
capacities, motor skills, and health
cognitive development
pattern of change in mental abilities, such as learning, attention, memory, language, thinking,
reasoning, and creativity
psychosocial development
pattern of change in emotions, personality, and social relationship
individual differences
differences among children in characteristics, influences, or developmental outcomes.
Five Periods of Child Development:
1. Prenatal Period (conception to birth)
2. Infancy and Toddlerhood (birth to age 3)
, 3. Early Child (ages 3 to 6)
4. Middle Childhood (ages 6 to 11)
5. Adolescence (ages 11 to about 20)
Maturation
unfolding of a universal natural sequence of physical and behavioral changes
heredity; environment
As children grow into adolescents and adults, individual differences in innate personal
characteristics (______) and life experiences (_____) play an increasing role as they adapt to the
internal and external conditions.
nuclear family
two-generational household unit consisting of one or two parents and their biological children,
adopted children, or stepchildren
extended family
multigenerational kinship network of parents, children, and other relatives, sometimes living
together in an extended-family household; includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and
more distant relatives.
culture