Resources

Glossary

• Apgar score - is the scoring system, developed by Virginia Apgar in 1953, used to assess the newborn baby immediately after birth to see how well they are adapting to life outside the womb. It assesses the ability to breathe, the baby's colour, heart rate, muscle tone and responsiveness. This leads to impairments in judgement, thinking, planning, reasoning and processing of information.

• Birth weight - The majority of full-term babies are born weighing between 3 and 5kg (6.6 to 11 lbs).

• Blastocyst - is the mass of cells which is dividing and which has started to separate into germ layers in order to start the development of the embryo.

• Carnegie Stages - 23 stages have been identified to illustrate the development of the embryo from conception to week 8 of gestation.

• Embryo - is the unborn baby in the process of developing from the point of conception to the end of the 8th week of gestation. At this point, all the internal organs have been made but are not functional.

• Embryological phase - starts at 2 weeks of gestation and lasts until all the organs are produced, so to the end of the 8th week of gestation.

• Extremely low birth weight - are babies weighing less than 1kg (2.2 lbs).

• Foetal phase - starts from 8 wks onwards to the end of the pregnancy at around 38wks gestation.

• Foetus - is the name given to the developing baby after the 8th week of pregnancy once the embryo is fully formed.

• Fontanelle - is known as the soft spot - there are two fontanelles in the newborn baby and these, together with the soft suture lines between the skull bones, allow the baby to be born more easily as these can move slightly during birth. The bone slowly grows after birth and the fontanelles close - the smaller posterior one at the back of the head usually closes around 6 weeks old and the larger, anterior one on the top of the head closes around 12 to 18 months old.

• Full-term birth - any baby born around full term or 38-40 wks gestation.

• Germinal phase - from the moment of conception to when the egg implants in the uterine wall and the germ layers start to develop - this phase lasts around 2 weeks.

• Gestation - is the period of time required for the baby to develop from conception to the birth of the full-time baby. In humans, this period is usually 38 weeks in duration. It is split into three phases - germinal, embryological and foetal phases.

• HCG - human chorionic gonadotropin - is the hormone produced by the fertilised zygote as it travels down the uterine (fallopian) tube to the uterus (womb). This is the hormone that is used in prenancy test kits as it is excreted via the mother's urine and is only present when the woman is pregnant. The kit is very sensitive but may not register pregnancy until the zygote starts to implant into the uterine wall.

• Lateralisation - is the term given when the brain starts to specialise and different areas of the brain undertake different roles.

• Low-birth weight - a low-birth weight baby weighs between 2.5 to 3 kg (5.5 to 6.6 lbs).

• Motor development - physical development is split into two areas - gross and fine motor development. Gross motor development encompasses the development of skills such as sitting up, standing, walking, etc and Fine motor development includes, the development of grasp, from grasping with the whole hand to the finer pincer grasp using thumb and finger.

• Myelination - is the process of the brain covering the nerve with a myelin sheath. This allows signals to travel more quickly down the nerve, eg in developing the toddler's attention span.

• Newborn reflexes - are reflex repsonses triggered in different situations.

• Prematurity - is the name given to babies born before their due date. It can mean that the baby hasn't fully developed all the body systems and the earlier the birth occurs in pregnancy increases the risks of health problems related to both the birth process and the potential lack of development.

• Small for Dates - these babies are small and weigh less than is expected than their gestational age would suggest, eg. a full-term baby weighing 2.8kg (~6lbs).

• Spatial perception - is the ability to locate and respond to objects in space. Eg. the ability to pick up a toy, knowing where and how to grasp it without missing where it is.

• Startle (Moro) reflex - is triggered when the baby is either moved suddenly, eg a slight drop, or if a loud noise occurs suddenly, eg a clap, near to them. The reflex is to arch the back and extend the arms, fingers and legs. The head also falls back. These disappear as the baby grows, eg the 'startle' reflex disappears around the age of 6 months.

• Synaptic pruning - is the term used in the development of the brain. Connections are made between parts of the brain using synapses as the brain grows. So many are produced that the brain needs to prune the connections that arent used to support the child's ability to develop.

• Trimester - pregnancy is split into three areas, known as trimesters - 0-12 weeks; 12-24 weeks and 24 weeks to birth at 38-40 weeks.

• Very low birth weight - is a baby over 1kg but under 2.5kg (2.2 to 5.5 lbs).

• Zygote - is the single cell formed when two gametes, eg oocyte (egg) and sperm join. Following fertilisation, the zygote will start to divide into more cells and into an embryo.

Books

Bee, H. and Boyd, D. (2007) The Developing Child. ed. Pearson.
Sheridan, M. rev Sharma A Cockerill H. (2008) From Birth to Five Years. Routledge.

0-2 Physical - Personal Print Summary

The first 1001 days of physical development to the child’s second birthday are said to be the most challenging of anyone’s life. During embryological development a single fertilised cell develops rapidly so that all of the major organ systems and limbs are present by 8 weeks. During the remaining 30 weeks of pregnancy organs and limbs mature and the baby gains weight rapidly. Following birth and the changes associated with extra-utero life, growth continues to be rapid. Particular changes can be noted in the skin, head, skeleton, neck, chest and abdomen and kidneys. The brain and motor systems undergo especially rapid development as the baby learns to explore, learn from and manipulate their environment and interact with others.

By completing this resource you will be able to:

• Describe the physical development of the embryo from conception to birth
• Describe the major physical changes that occur from birth to 2 yrs old.

Please type any additional notes and comments you have on this resource in the field below: Print

Credits

Name: Mary Y Brown

Role in Project: Content Author

Qualifications: MMSci Ed, PGCertPT, BSc (Hons), RNCB, RNT.

Previous experience: Mary is an Assistant Professor with the School of Health Sciences teaching communication skills, innovation and recognising culture and diversity through experiential learning. She is a Registered Nurse Child Branch with a specialty in Paediatric Oncology and supporting children with complex needs and their families.

Name: Louise Clarke

Role in Project: Content Author

Qualifications: PGCHE, BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology, Diploma in Nursing, RN Child, FHEA.

Previous experience: Louise’s clinical career involved a variety of medical and surgical settings and a specialisation in paediatric plastics and cleft lip and palate care. She is currently employed as a Child Health Lecturer at the University of Nottingham involved in teaching communication, interpersonal and leadership skills alongside facilitating the development of clinical practical skills in undergraduate children’s nurses.

Name: Carol Hall

Role in Project: Content Author

Qualifications: PhD, RSCN, RGN, RNT, PFHEA.

Previous experience: Carol is an experienced nurse teacher and children’s nurse, who worked across a range of children’s acute healthcare settings before becoming a ward manager on a teenage care ward for young people with both physical and mental health concerns. Carol is currently an Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Education within the School of Health Sciences at the University of Nottingham.

Name: Liz Hilton

Role in Project: Technical Developer

Qualifications: BA (Hons) Graphic Design, BSc (Hons) Biology,

Previous experience: Liz has a wide background in design and E-learning in a wide range of sectors, including industry, the NHS and academic.

Name: Laura Holliday

Role in Project: Content Author

Qualifications: MNursSci, RN Child.

Previous experience: Laura’s clinical experience includes children’s cardiology, medicine and respiratory. She has previously led a hospital wide preceptorship programme, working within a practice development team. She is currently employed as a Teaching Associate in Child Health at the University of Nottingham.

Name: Lydia Jones

Role in Project: Technical Support and audio manager

Qualifications: BA (Hons) Media Production.

Previous experience: Lydia has worked in the HELM team at the University of Nottingham for 7 years and is currently the e-learning and project development officer. She has many years’ experience in project management and audio and video production.

Name: Gill Langmack

Role in Project: Lead Content Author

Qualifications: MSc, PGCHE, BSc (Hons) Nursing, RSCN, RGN, FHEA.

Previous experience: As an experienced Children's Nurse and educator, Gill has extensive experience of nursing children and their families in both acute and critical care areas. Gill is currently lecturing as an Assistant Professor within the University of Nottingham, School of Health Sciences.

Name: Helen Laverty

Role in Project: Principal Content Reviewer

Qualifications: MSc. (Human Development), Cert Ed (FE), RNLD, SFHEA

Previous experience: Helen is an Assistant Professor with the School of Health Sciences & Professional Lead for learning Disability Nursing. Her teaching specialities relate to the concept of ordinariness, human development, and person centred philosophies. She has extensive experience in the development of RLOs. She is a Registered Nurse Learning Disabilities specialising in promoting an ordinary life for children and young people and leadership.

Name: Andrew Lee

Role in Project: Technical Developer

Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Economics.

Previous experience: Andrew has 5 years web development experience working with small businesses, consultancy and app. creation. Twelve years game design experience as senior designer and design lead with oversight of design scripting, level design, scheduling and game mechanics.

Name: Liz Maslen

Role in Project: Project Lead (NCC)

Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Psychology, CMI PGDip.

Previous experience: Liz currently works as the Children’s Workforce Development Manager at Nottinghamshire County Council. She has 17 years’ experience within the childcare sector, and during this time has worked within voluntary, statutory and private organisations. She has also been involved with the management and delivery of regional and national training programmes aimed at multi-agency frontline practitioners and parent groups.

Name: Roz McCormick

Role in Project: Content Initiator

Qualifications: BA (Hons)

Previous experience: Roz is a qualified probation officer. She has worked in education, criminal justice and training since 1995, and has initiated, developed and delivered a variety of developmental projects with the intention of enabling professionals to work in partnership with service users. She initiated contact with University of Nottingham in pursuit of a rock solid knowledge base upon which to create a robust child development learning platform.

Name: Sally Melling

Role in Project: Content Author

Qualifications: EdD, MPhil, BA (Hons) Nursing, RN (Adult), RN Child, RNT

Previous experience: Sally is an Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham. She has over 30 years’ experience as a children's nurse and educator. She is currently the Professional Lead for children's nursing.

Name: Elisabeth O’Brien

Role in Project: Lead Content Author

Qualifications: MEd, PGCHE, BSc (Hons), RGN, RHV, Obs Cert, FHEA.

Previous experience: Elisabeth worked in neonatal intensive care and a Bone Marrow Transplant unit . After working as Health Visitor in the U.K and abroad she joined the Child Health Team at the University of Nottingham.

Name: Cherry Poussa

Role in Project: Technical team manager

Qualifications: MSc, BSc.

Previous experience: Cherry is Head of Digital Learning Support Services in the School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham with responsibility for IT systems, e-learning and online services and managing the integration of technical platforms to support the processes within these areas. She plays a key part in implementing the HELM strategy and supporting the technical and budgetary aspects of e-learning and digital media research projects.

Name: Mike Taylor

Role in Project: Technical Lead

Qualifications: MSc in Information Technology, PGC in Multi-Media design, BA (Hons) Media and cultural studies.

Previous experience: Mike has worked as a learning technologist for over 10 years at the University of Nottingham. He is currently the Project Development Lead for the HELM team and is working on the development of reusable learning objects (RLOs) both for the school of health sciences and for external projects.

Name: Richard Warr

Role in Project: Technical Implementer

Qualifications: MCIPD.

Previous experience: Originally an Optician, Richard moved into training, initially clinical support and then as a professional examiner. Over the next 25 years he became CIPD qualified and a member of the British Psychological Society. He has supported learners in: personal development, leadership and management, psychometric profiling, customer service and bespoke systems training amongst others. Over the last 4 years Richard has focussed on eLearning design and learning systems management within Nottinghamshire County Council.

Name: Richard Windle

Role in Project: Project Lead and Instructional Designer

Qualifications: PhD, PGCAP, BSc (Hon), PFHEA

Previous experience: Richard is an Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham. He is currently co-academic lead for the HELM team. As well as leading online curriculum development, his research and development interests include open multimedia learning content pedagogy and reuse, stakeholder involvement in content development and student generated content.

With Thanks to the following who reviewed the content of the resources:

University of Nottingham Nursing students (Child field):

Ryan Clarke, Clare Cribdon, Aoife Fehilly, Rosanna Jones, Ruth Jones, Kelly Parker, Simone Portman and Molly Wright

University of Nottingham Lecturers in Health Sciences:

Paula Dawson, Damion McCormick, Alexandra Lewandowska-Smith and Heather Wharrad

Nottinghamshire County Council Family Workers:

Helen Bingley, Susan Bird, Debbie Jesson, Meena Sharma, Dina Vitelli and Sharon Warman

With Thanks to:

The young people their families and colleagues who have provided audio and visual resources.

James Henderson, Thomas Stackpoole and Stathis Konstantinidis who provided additional audio narration for these resources.

Kirstie Coolin, Simon Riley and Nicholas Whiting for additional technical support.

By completing this resource you will be able to:

• Describe the physical development of the embryo from conception to birth
• Describe the major physical changes that occur from birth to 2 yrs old.

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