Introduction

Around the world men and women embark on the wonderful experience of pregnancy. What does this mean? Well to most of us, it means the formation of a tiny new life but what goes on behind the scenes? How does a baby become a baby? What is the process of biological, cognitive, and psychosocial development when speaking about such microscopic treasures? How does this transfer as birth takes place and the tiny human miniature faces the next two years? On the following pages, we shall discuss these different areas, provide examples and show how the development of a baby as it forms from conception until it reaches age two. By the end of this document, one should be able to provide a simple description of this process with little to no difficulty.

Biological Development

�intro�

Biological development covers the changes within the human structure that are physical in nature. These involve areas such as brain development, and physical traits. In the case of conception, there are thought to be about 40,000 genes mixed to make a kind of genetic cocktail in the nucleus of each human cell. These genes manage everything, and they all interact. Some genes serve to inhibit, suppress, or repress the actions of other genes, and others try to identify and repair genetic and metabolic problems. There are however factors that activate or hide genes, and there are genes that change the speed or likelihood of specific chemical interactions. Because of this, human creation is an amazingly complex process!

�Pregnancy�

Before cells can divide, genes from both the mother and father come together into 23 - chromosome pairs. The DNA sequences comprising genes always go to the same location of a particular chromosome, which for convenience are numbered from biggest (1 - most genetic material) to smallest (22) plus the sex chromosomes (XX female, XY male). Eggs (ova) from Mom and sperm from Dad are special cells that contain a single set of 23 chromosomes. Conception completes the chromosome set and cell replication and differentiation begins: chromosome pairs separate and move to opposite sides of the nucleus, the entire cell divides into two new cells. The process repeats, more cells accumulate, genes in each region turn on or off, which is how individual organs and tissues form, and creation takes place. This process is called prenatal development. (Planet, 2006).

Prenatal development is broken down in what�s most commonly known as three trimesters. Separating pregnancy into three equal terms 1st trimester (germinal), 2nd trimester (embryonic), and 3rd trimester (fetal) makes it easier to understand. During the Germinal stage, conception begins and takes approximately eight weeks to complete. At this point the baby, is called a zygote (A one cell organism formed when the ova and sperm came together as one) (Planet, 2006) During this time the zygote travels down the fallopian tubes into the uterus where it becomes embedded into the uterus wall and the placenta forms to supply the miniature with protection, nutrients, oxygen, and waste removal. Once these things occur, the zygote becomes what�s known as an embryo. (Berger, 2005) The embryonic stage will then last another six weeks during which the miniature will continue to grow and finish forming most of it�s body system; including it�s organs. Basically the embryo begins to form its brain, spinal cord, heart, gastrointestinal tract, vertebra and other bones. Blood begins to pump, even the beginnings of eyes and ears, arms and legs become evident. Interesting how something as small and simple as hair follicles have begun to take shape so soon. Which brings us to the fetal stage (Rauch, 2006).

This is about the time the mother begins to find out she is pregnant. The fetal stage lasts from about week eight until the birth of the child. During this stage the miniature continues to grow as it�s cells divide. It becomes stronger, begins to move and becomes more functionally human. Let�s break it down a little more shall we? Around the ninth week to the third month of pregnancy, the fetus will be approximately three inches long. Its head will be nearly � of its full-scale size. Its face will be that of a human w/ closed eyelids that will not open until around 28 weeks. Teeth, hair and genitals are developed and red blood cells are producing in the liver (Rauch, 2006). During the fourth month of pregnancy, the fetus becomes about 6 inches in length, it�s skin covers it�s body in a transparant nature, muscle and bones continue to form and strengthen and the baby can now make sucking faces. The liver, intestants and pancreses begin to create their fluids as well (Rauch, 2006). During the fifth month of pregnacy, the fetus becomes about 8 inches, lanugo hair covers the body, it has eyebrows and eyelashes, finger nails and toenails, and is more active due to an increase of muscle mass. This is when the mother usually begins to feel butterfly movement in the abdomen and the heartbeat can be heard through special medical equipment during the normal prenatal visit (Rauch, 2006). By the sixth month of pregnacy the fetus is about 11 inches and weighs about 1lb 10 oz. It has startle reflexes, and foot/hand prints. Ait sacs are even forming in it�s tiny lungs (Rauch, 2006). As the seventh month of pregnacy rolls around the little one will reach about 15 inches, and almost 3 lbs. The brain begins to develop very rapidly and the nervous system and immune system form as well. A baby born during this stage may very well live even though complications and death are possible(Rauch, 2006). Once eight months of pregnacy copmes to terms, the fetus really does look like a full term baby only smaller. It�s about 15-17 inches, weighs just under 5lbs, and even though it�s lungs are not fully formed is capinle of rythmic breathing. It�s beginning to store iron, calcium and phosphorus in preporation for birth (Rauch, 2006). Which brings us to the ninth and final month., where the little boy or girl will have reached about 16-19 inches weigh 5-7 lbs, have long nails, along w/ courser thicker hair. A baby born at thirty-six weeks can survive and will probaably do so w/ intervention. However it is reccommended that a full term birth take place between 37-40 weeks making a true pregnacy exuivalant to 10 instead of 9 months (Rauch, 2006) .

�Birth�

We are not going to cover the birthing process. However, we will provide a list of things to consider. When thinking about pregnancy and delivery, one should begin to focus on things such as, what type of delivery do you wish to have assisted deliveries, a home birth, water birth, hospital birth, cesarean birth, and natural birth and do you want a midwife or a doctor? What about possible complications? How do you want those handled? And, of course, there are different medicines that can reduce the pain during delivery. You can choose to utilize those or not. The choices seem to be endless.

�Age 0-2 yrs�

By four months of age, a baby should weigh between ten to eighteen pounds, and be between twenty-three to twenty-seven inches long. He or she should be sleeping approximately fourteen to seventeen hours in a twenty-four hour period. They should be able to follow a rattle with their eyes and grasp at it along with hold it in their tiny hands. By this point he or she should also be able to roll over from stomach to back and sit with support (Oesterreich, 2002).

By eight months of age, a baby should weigh between fourteen to twenty-three pounds and be twenty-five to thirty inches long. It�s during this time that first teeth appear so the baby will probably place everything in his/her mouth to chew on them. By now they are capable of eating solid foods and require 3-4 feedings a day not to mention, the introduction of a sippy cup will helpful at this time along with ensuring eleven to thirteen hours sleep and two to three good naps a day (Oesterreich, 2002).

Around one year, a baby will weigh about 17-27 pounds, and be about twenty-seven to thirty-two inches long. They still need eleven to thirteen hours sleep but may stop taking afternoon or morning naps. Bottle weaning should be considered and started. Nourishment includes three square meals a day and two snacks in between (Oesterreich, 2002).

Between age twelve to twenty-four months (1-2yrs), a child will slow down on the milestones; just a little. They will weigh between twenty and thirty-two pounds, be approximately thirty to thirty-seven inches tall, walk well and run well. However their stopping skills will be questionable. A child of this age can drink from a straw, feed them selves, toss objects, open minor cabinets and drawers, and bend over without falling. Potty training can be started during this time depending on the child�s ability to control his or her bladder and cooperation. However completion may take another year or two to complete so patients is required (Oesterreich, 2002).

As you can see the child will more than double its birth weight, will form motor skills that once were mere reflexes, and develop rapidly on a physical level between the ages of conception to age two (Annenberg, 2005).

Cognitive Development

Cognitive development describes the intellectual or educational side of human growth. It includes but is not limited to the thinking process, perceptual ability, and communication. During the first year of an infant�s development, they undergo many many changes. It�s an exciting time for everyone involved.

During the first two months, the baby becomes familure with its home, the people around it, and begins to feel comfortable and aware. He or she probably will recognize the voice of its primary caregivers, and turn it�s head to seek out the direction in which the voice is coming from. He or she may even begin making cooing sounds and having reflex smiling. At this stage the infant will be easily startled and soothed by coddling and/or nursing (bottle or breast).

By the third and fourth months of life the infant will gain much more control over its body movements. It may begin to raise up on its arms while laying on it�s stomach on the floor, or begin stiffening its neck muscles in order to try to control its head. He or she will begin reaching for the objects that are close enough and by four months should be able to grasp and hold those objects. Vocal cords begin to form more logical sounds. Happiness brings squeals and sadness shouts or cries. Of course by four months these sounds can begin to take on even more wordy forms.

Between the ages of five and six months a baby will become a lot stronger, his or her head is steady and most children can sit w/ the help of a pillow. By the end of the sixth month the pillow may even be unnecessary especially since he/she will probably be rolling over and in unique cases standing up. Verbal skills will take on a new focus at this point as consonant and vowel sounds begin to blend themselves and he or she will probably recognize their own name.

Age seven to nine months is when the fun begins. The little one will be fully aware of the parent�s unconditional love and the limit testing will then begin. It�s during this time that babies learn to wipe tables clean, tip over plants, and stick little gadgets in holes. This is an exciting yet dangerous time for the little daredevil because they want to experiment and you want safety first.

As the child reaches nine to twelve months, a child�s strength is great; they are practicing walking, and moving around the home. They are mimicking words such as mommy, daddy, hello, and good-bye. They should be learning to hold the sippy cup and use it instead of a bottle all the time. It�s also during this time that self feeding should be encouraged by letting the little one hold a spoon during meal time (Oesterreich, 2002).

During the second year of cognitive development, a child has the vocabulary of several hundred words and can name the names of their toys. They can use two to three word sentences to describe thoughts and emotions and mimic words that are spoken by others. They are capable of showing their preferences of toys and because of such likes to show their likes between two objects. He or she will listen to short songs and can hum or sing favorite melodies. It�s during this time that the child is capable of using �manner words� such as please and thank you but may need prompted often to do so.

Psychosocial development

Psychosocial Development describes more intimate areas of human development. These intimate areas include a child�s emotional character, their personality, and ability to form and maintain interpersonal relationships.

By the fourth month stage, an infant has learned to cry to communicate pain, fear, discomfort, and loneliness. They enjoy being held, touched and rocked. They will respond and even become excited by the sound of a rattle or bell and return a smile when smiled at.

Around eight months of age, a baby will know it�s own name and respond when hearing it. He/she will show fear; such as falling off a high table or down a flight of stairs. He or she will smile, coo and babble in response to what it sees.He/she will respond to family and close friends. However, Most of the time, he or she spends observing the environment, imitating sounds, and getting to know the familiar scenery.

By age one year, a baby will begin to cling to his or her parent or caregivers, express anxiety towards strangers, and initiate sharing of toys and items w/ the expectation of getting the items back. This is also a self centered mode as the child begins to watch it�s self closer in the mirror and attach it�s self to favorite toys or blankets that they may or may not wish to share.

During the second year of development the child leaves that baby stage and begins to focus on growing up. They begin to use sentences in speech, are aware of the world around them and look for objects that are no longer in view. The most common word in a two-year-old�s vocabulary seems to be no. They have issues with sharing, they get angry, and even throw temper tantrums. This possessiveness knows no rules or boundaries and when confronted creates frustration that generally sends the child seeking comfort with a close friend or family member. Of course not everything about age two is terrible. Children around this age will also seek attention. They will experiment with new skills such as imitating older siblings and parents. They will give hugs and kisses without much regard to reason; which is what makes the frustration of the terrible two�s so enjoyable (Oesterreich, 2002).

Conclusion

As you can see, between the ages of conception and age two, little tikes have a lot to endure. They not only become human, they become intellectuals. They learn to breath, walk, talk, and communicate all in the first year of life and after that it�s simply time to build upon those skills in order to grow up to lead a productive life.

References

American Pregnancy Association (2007). Labor & Delivery Retrieved Jan 20, 2007

From American Pregnancy Association Website:

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/index.htm

Annenberg Media. (2007). Discovering Psychology. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2007

From WGBH Educational Foundation website:

http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/development/0_2.html

Lee, Donna (2006). Your child's 1st year development - mo to mo Retrieved Jan 20, 2007

From Child Study.Net Website:

http://childstudy.net/your_childs_1st_year_development_month_to_month.php

Oesterreich, Lesia. M.S. (2002) Ages & Stages � NB to 1 year retrieved Jan 19, 2007

From The National Network for Child Care Website:

http://www.nncc.org/Child.Dev/ages.stages.new.one.html

Oesterreich, Lesia. M.S. (2002) Ages & Stages � 18 to 24mo retrieved Jan 19, 2007

From The National Network for Child Care Website:

http://www.nncc.org/Child.Dev/ages.stages.18m.24m.html

Planet Psych. (2006) Child Development Retrieved Jan. 20, 2007

From PlanetPsych Website:

http://www.planetpsych.com/zPsychology_101/child_development.htm

Rauch, Daniel. MD (2006) Fetal development. Retrieved Jan 20, 2007-02-09

From the Medline Plus Website:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002398.htm

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