Child development key terms

Family structure

Family- a small group of people related by blood, marrige or adoption, in which 1 or more children are cared for by 1 or more adults within some kind of home.

Nuclear- immediate parents and child(ren)

Extended- parents,children and relatives

Monogamy- 1 wife and 1 husband

Polygamy- a husband can have as many as 4 wives. This exists in muslim countries but is rare

Polyandry- wives are allowed more than 1 husband but is rare.

Sibling- a brother or sister

Step parent- A unbiological parent to the child(ren)

Step brother/sister- a brother/sister through the remarrige of of a parent to someone who has children

Half brother/sister- a sibling with one shared biological or adaptive parent

Reconstructive family- may not only have step family but children from the new relationship

Lone parent family- the absent of a parent may still have contact and access with the child but have formed a new relationship and has more children

Normadic family- the family has no permenant town/village. They may live in a mobile home and travel to different sites only settling for a short amount of times. 

Communal family- one in which children live in a commune where, in addition their parents, they are cared for by other people who share the home

Adoption- To take on the legal responsibilities as parent of (a child that is not one's biological child).

Fostering- to temorarily look after a child until they get adopted

Puberty

Puberty- the period during which adolescents reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction

Menstruation- the monthly bleeding from the uterus from the rich lining this is preparing to bear a child

Ovulation- the realease of an eggs from the ovaries into the uterus

Pre-menstrual tension- the body tension and irrability a few days before a period

Menopause- the point at which the female is no longer fertile

Scrotum- a bag which hangs below the adomen and contains the testes

Testes- where the sperm is made

Epididymis- where the sperm is stored

Vas deferens- sperm tube

Seminal vesticle and prostate gland- glands which secrete substances which mix with the sperm to make semen

Urethra- a tube for both semen and urine

Penis- ejaculatesthe sperm into the vagina

Foreskin- covers and protects the penis

Ovary- where the eggs are made

Fallopian tube- takes the egg from the ovary to the uterus

Lining of the uterus- sheds every month if an egg has not been fertillised

Uterus- where the baby develops. The wall of the uterus is made of muscle and enlarges during pregnancy as the baby grows

Cervix- the neck of the uterus

Vagina- sperm are deposited her

Pregancy

Natal- time and place of birth

Postnatal- the period of time after the birth 

Antenatal- the period of time before pregancy

Oestrogen- responsible for the development and function of the female sex organs

Progesterone- helps prepare the uterus to recieve the fertillised egg and maintain…