SACE Stage 2 Child Studies flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Cephalocaudal development

The pattern in which motor control develops from the head downward, so infants gain head and neck control before trunk and leg control.

Proximodistal development

Development proceeding from the centre of the body outward, so infants control shoulder and arm movements before fine finger movements.

Pincer grasp

The ability to pick up small objects using the thumb and index finger, typically emerging between 9 and 12 months of age.

Object permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist when out of sight, developing in the sensorimotor stage and usually established by about 18-24 months.

Egocentrism

Piaget's term for the young child's difficulty taking another person's viewpoint, characteristic of the preoperational stage from about two to seven years.

Conservation

The understanding that quantity stays the same despite changes in appearance, typically achieved in the concrete operational stage around seven to eleven years.

Secure attachment

An attachment pattern where a child uses the caregiver as a safe base, is distressed at separation and is readily comforted on reunion.

Separation anxiety

Distress shown by infants and toddlers when separated from a primary caregiver, typically peaking between about 8 and 18 months.

Autonomy versus shame

Erikson's second psychosocial stage, roughly one to three years, where toddlers seek independence in self-care and choices or develop doubt if over-controlled.

Immunisation schedule

The nationally recommended timetable of vaccines given at set ages, including hepatitis B at birth and combination vaccines at two, four and six months.

Safe sleeping practice

Placing infants on their back on a firm flat surface, free of loose bedding, in a smoke-free room shared with but not shared by the caregiver.

Cold chain

The system keeping vaccines at two to eight degrees Celsius from manufacture to administration; freezing or heat destroys vaccine potency.

Mandatory reporting

The legal duty of designated professionals such as teachers and health workers to report reasonable suspicion of significant harm to a child protection authority.

Choking hazard

A small, hard or round object or food that can block a young child's airway, such as whole nuts, grapes or popcorn for children under three.

Oral rehydration solution

A balanced glucose and electrolyte drink used as first-line treatment for mild to moderate dehydration from vomiting or diarrhoea in children.

Anaphylaxis

A severe, rapidly developing allergic reaction involving breathing difficulty, swelling or collapse, requiring immediate adrenaline and emergency medical care.

Unintentional injury

Harm occurring without intent, such as falls, burns, drowning or poisoning, and the leading cause of death in children over one year.

Exclusive breastfeeding

Feeding an infant only breast milk with no other food or drink, recommended for around the first six months of life.

Iron-rich first foods

Solid foods introduced from about six months that supply iron, such as iron-fortified cereal, pureed meat, legumes and cooked egg.

Botulism risk in infants

The danger of giving honey to babies under twelve months, because spores can germinate in the immature gut and produce a serious toxin.

BMI-for-age percentile

A growth measure comparing a child's body mass index with peers of the same age and sex, used to screen for underweight or overweight from age two.

Food intolerance

A non-immune reaction to a food causing digestive symptoms such as bloating or diarrhoea, and unlike allergy it does not cause anaphylaxis.

Maslow's hierarchy

A model ordering human needs from physiological and safety needs through belonging and esteem to self-actualisation, with lower needs generally met first.

Discretionary foods

Foods and drinks high in saturated fat, added sugar or salt and low in nutrients, recommended only occasionally and in small amounts for children.

Dental caries

Tooth decay caused by acid produced when bacteria ferment sugars, prevented by limiting sugary drinks and brushing with fluoride toothpaste.

Microsystem

In Bronfenbrenner's model, the immediate settings a child directly experiences, such as family, childcare, school and peer group.

Mesosystem

The interconnections between a child's microsystems, such as communication between home and school or between parents and childcare staff.

Macrosystem

The broader cultural and social context, including laws, values, economic conditions and cultural norms, that shapes a child's development.

Parallel play

A play stage where young children play side by side with similar materials but without genuine interaction, common in toddlers.

Cooperative play

Play in which children organise roles, share goals and interact to sustain a shared activity, typically emerging in the preschool to early school years.

Family structure

The composition of a household, such as nuclear, sole-parent, blended, extended or foster care, each of which can support healthy development.

Cultural competence

The capacity of services and professionals to understand and respond respectfully to the cultural values and child-rearing practices of families.