neurodevelopment
/ˌnʊəroʊdɪˈvɛləpmənt/
Definition
The biological process of growth, maturation, and physical changes in an infant's nervous system and brain.
Etymology
The word is a combination of the Greek prefix 'neuro-' (relating to nerves or the nervous system) and the English noun 'development' (the process of growing or maturing). It emerged in scientific literature to describe the specialized field focused on the intricate neurological growth occurring from infancy through adulthood.
In the news
The article suggests that healthcare providers should be trained in neurodevelopment to better understand why infant night waking and signaling for comfort are biologically normal behaviors. This context emphasizes that infant sleep patterns are linked to how the brain naturally matures, rather than being behavioral issues to be corrected.
Q&A: New research questions the science behind cry~it~out sleep training
Read the full article ↗James Madison University